Michael Farris and the John Birch Society Square off in Oklahoma (Article V)

Convention of States ^ | March 17th, 2014 | Jordan Sillars

[Jacquerie]

If you’re interested in the Convention of States Project and enjoy a good, old-fashioned debate, you’re in for a treat.

Convention of States Project director Michael Farris will join Oklahoma State Senator Rob Standridge on March 19 and 20 to debate leaders of the Oklahoma John Birch Society on the efficacy of calling a Convention of States to stop the abuses of Washington, D.C.

Questions have been swirling around the Convention of States issue, and Michael and Rob look forward to answering many of them. A Convention of States is our best chance to stop the overreach of the federal government, and they want to explain why all arguments to the contrary fall short.

It promises to be an excellent, informative debate, and we encourage you to attend if you live in the Oklahoma City area. If you aren’t able to attend, no problem. You’ll have the opportunity to watch a recording of the debate, which we’ll post on our website.

Details are below:

DEBATE #1: On March 19 at 12 p.m., Michael Farris and Rob Standridge will debate Oklahoma John Birch Society leader Bob Donohoo.

WHERE: Olivet Baptist Church, 1201 Northwest 10th St. Oklahoma City, OK.

DEBATE #2: On March 20 at 7 p.m., Farris and Standridge will debate Donohoo and Charlie Meadows, President and Founder of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee and long-time John Birch Society member.

WHERE: Assembly of God Church, 2500 E Lindsey St. Norman, OK.

Seating is limited at both venues, so come early to save yourself a good seat!

We look forward to seeing you there.

[afsnco]

Given our current level of collective depravity, yes.

Think about it. The Left does oppo research on whomever is sent by each delegation. They get the delegates behind closed doors and threaten them with exposure. So they sell us out.

NOTHING can be considered off limits when it comes to what lowlifes the Left are. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Left has a hotline to the NSA already, and that’s why the Repubs are so feckless. I think the whole NSA thing is just blackmail writ large. They’ve let the Repubs know that they (the Dems) know about all their sleazy dealings and they’ll expose them unless they play ball.

[bfh333]

Agreed...

This is a good, workable strategy. We should be looking to “upgrade” wherever we can...

We should attack on as many fronts as possible to move the ball back in the other direction...

[Repeal The 17th]

If you believe that 38 states would vote to repeal the 1st or 2nd amendment,
then you must believe that all is already lost.

If you believe that all is already lost,
then no harm can come from an Article V Convention of The States.

[bfh333]

If 38 states agree to alter the Bill of Rights, you’re doomed anyway... You don’t think there are 13 to stop it?

STATES (you and me) will vote on Amendments from the Convention...

The pubbies are feckless because they LIKE where they are and sharing POWER with NO responsibility... It is the UNIPARTY...

[Graybeard58]

I still don’t “get” this. The whole crux of the issue is our elected leaders are ignoring much of the Constitution. So we want to write more amendments to the Constitution for our leaders to ignore?

Exactly! Abide strictly by the constitutioin that we have and our country will thrive.

[afsnco]

I hope I don’t have occasion to say “I told you so...”

Without the First and Second Amendments, things could become very much worse.

[Repeal The 17th]

“... Abide strictly by the constitutioin that we have and our country will thrive. ...”
-
So, how’s that been working out for ya’?

[EDINVA]

You might want to read up on Mike Farris before categorizing him.

[bfh333]

I respectfully disagree...

The 17th amendment made it almost impossible; along with congress giving much of it’s power to the Executive Brach and the Judicial Branch writing any and all laws it wants...

The problem with strictly abiding by the constitution is getting those OUT that won’t. Term Limits would solve that and then we could move back towards a system that works...

[Graybeard58]

“So, how’s that been working out for ya’?”

If it’s ignored now, how will adding anything improve on that situation?

[T-Bird45]

I don’t see the point of a “debate” as the OK legislature has already declined to participate on the COS project, as I understand it.

[Repeal The 17th]

"... how will adding anything improve on that situation? ..."
-
Things like:
Term limits...
Repeal the 17th amendment...
Repeal the 16th amendment...
etc., etc.
Have you visited the Convention of States website?
Have you read Mark Levin's "Liberty Amendments"?
-
Here is the text of the bill passed in Georgia:
-
Georgia Senate Resolution 736
Passed by the Georgia Senate and approved by the Georgia House of Representatives
A RESOLUTION
Applying for a convention of the states under Article V of the United States Constitution;
and for other purposes.

WHEREAS,
the founders of the Constitution of the United States empowered state legislators
to be guardians of liberty against future abuses of power by the federal government; and

WHEREAS,
the federal government has created a crushing national debt
through improper and imprudent spending; and

WHEREAS,
the federal government has invaded the legitimate roles of the states
through the manipulative process of federal mandates,
most of which are unfunded to a great extent; and

WHEREAS,
the federal government has ceased to live
under a proper interpretation of the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS,
it is the solemn duty of the states to protect the liberty of our people,
particularly for the generations to come, by proposing amendments to the
Constitution of the United States through a convention of the states
under Article V of the United States Constitution
to place clear restraints on these and related abuses of power.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA
that the General Assembly of the State of Georgia hereby applies to Congress,
under the provisions of Article V of the Constitution of the United States,
for the calling of a convention of the states limited to proposing amendments
to the United States Constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government,
limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government,
and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

[Repeal The 17th]

This is the important part:

WHEREAS,
the federal government has ceased to live under a proper interpretation of the Constitution of the United States; and

WHEREAS,
it is the solemn duty of the states to protect the liberty of our people, particularly for the generations to come,
by proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States through a convention of the states under Article V
of the United States Constitution to place clear restraints on these and related abuses of power.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Adding words to a document that is already twisted isn’t going to help a huge amount, but that’s just me.

[Jacquerie]

From your #13, A runaway convention would be an unmitigated disaster. The Left’s wet dream.

No, it is the Left that has everything to lose at an amendment convention.

We have an arbitrary, despotic government in which the prez determines the law. There are no restraints. A stroll through the Bill of Rights will show very few clauses remain in force. Leftist courts have rewritten the constitution such that it bears no resemblance to a government for a free people.

There is a burr under the saddle for the Left, and it is Article V. We have the power to restore republican freedom. Future generations will shake their heads in wonder if we don't take advantage of our framers' bequest.

Don't assume the states will send majority Leftist radical delegates. Over half of the states opposed Obamacare in court. All have to put up with p!ssant DC bureaucrats pushing them around.

As the Tea Party has demonstrated, there is more than a mere whiff of resistance in the air. There are pent up, patriotic frustrations that await release. The next assembly of states will be held in mid-June. Their press release may be the spark that launches freedom's restoration.

[Jacquerie]

I have no illusions as to the evil depths the Left is capable of.

I anticipate state House speakers and Senate majority leaders will get helpful and profitable hints to derail the Article V process.

This isn't 1787, and rats are not honorable Anti-Federalists.

All of which doesn't matter, for the possibility of failure is no reason not to try.

[Amendment10]

You might want to read up on Mike Farris before categorizing him.

I'm sorry if I offended you concerning Mr. Farris. But hypothetically speaking, consider that I'm way past the point of hesitating to ask the author of the Constitution, James Madison, if he knows which constitutional clauses limit Congress's powers.

[Star Traveler]

I’m glad my Oklahoma Legislators turned down Oklahoma joining in on the Constitutional Convention.

[Star Traveler]

Too many people want to open up a Pandora’s Box With a Constitutional Comvention. Some of these people who want to do so are being duped by Liberals, Leftists, Marxists and Democrats - who would love to get the chance of rewriting the US Constitution. These liberals and Marxists would love to get a hold of those Bill of Rights and “set it straight” for our modern world, because the Founding Fathers are outdated in our present world.

[Jacquerie]

Post #35.