(This is a commentary piece written by staff writer Jesse Jeffers, which may not reflect the opinion or outlook of the Liberty Restoration Project)

Ted Nugent has recently drawn a lot of criticism for some comments made on stage about Democratic presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Several years ago, the Dixie Chicks were subject to a media blackout because lead singer Natalie Maines said, on stage and overseas, “We are ashamed that President Bush is from Texas.” Toby Keith has also drawn criticism for his staunch support of the Bush war policy, singing songs such as “The Angry American,” and “The Taliban Song.” In the film industry, Sean Penn has been under intense scrutiny by some for taking action in opposition to the U.S. presence in Iraq. In 1999-2000, then Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker became a household name for his criticisms of racial minorities, immigrants, homosexuals, and “kids with purple hair.”

Such comments and the reactions to them are perfect examples that government censorship of these individuals is unnecessary and improper. In a truly free republic, the free market determines whether or not these issues will be damaging to a person’s career relatively quickly. For example, when you go to a store to buy a CD or DVD, or to see a movie, it is your right as a free citizen to buy or not to buy the CD, DVD, or movie ticket for whatever reason you choose. If a certain musician, movie star, or professional athlete has said things that are offensive, then you can boycott that individual’s product. At the point that sales start slipping into the red, the free market has effectively and Constitutionally censored the unpopular comments or opinions.

It seems that the reverse happens with sports. Often, people seem to come to stadiums to see a notorious figure like a John Rocker or a Barry Bonds just to express their objections to that person’s comments, demeanor, or lifestyle. Despite fan “disapproval”, their attendance probably encourages the controversial behavior more than their catcalls and home-made signs discourage it. An organized boycott appears to be a much better way to protest “unbecoming” behavior.

Americans as a whole grant far too much relevance to the opinions of these so-called “celebrities” anyway. One should ask himself or herself why they care when a celebrity makes a divisive statement. Some will say that society should be less tolerant of “controversy” from movie stars, athletes, and professional musicians because of their impact on the younger generation. Perhaps it is the case that the younger generation looks up to these individuals because the people who have closer relationships with them haven’t done their job of being good role models and setting an example that the children want to emulate.

Rather than censoring so-called “celebrities” on an organizational level, it is far more in line with the principles of liberty for individuals and the free market to determine what issues and opinions will be embraced and which will be discarded.

(a collaborated article by Kevin Tull and Larry Holland)

“Ways may someday be developed by which the government without removing papers from secret drawers can reproduce them in court and by which it will be enabled to expose to a jury the most intimate occurrences of the home”. Supreme Court Justice William Brandeis, 1928

Brandeis’ dissenting opinion in Olmstead v. United States, a wiretapping case, is often cited as an early example of the idea that invasion of privacy, in the sense of the Constitutional ban against unreasonable searches and seizures, is not merely defined as someone physically rifling through desk drawers and file cabinets. Eighty years later, an ultimate technological government intrusion of privacy is on the horizon. The Real ID Act of 2005 when implemented would create a de facto national I.D. card by establishing federal standards for state drivers’ licenses, under the auspices of preventing terrorism and to prevent illegal immigrants from getting fake identification cards.

Currently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to limit the official purposes of a Real ID license to those “listed by Congress in the law” (accessing federal facilities, boarding federally-regulated aircraft, and entering nuclear facilities). The passive Congress has not limited the DHS regarding the Real ID. Thus, DHS openly admits they “may consider expanding these official purposes through future rulemakings”. Since there are already federal requirements concerning identification to open a bank account, it is quite reasonable to speculate that DHS could require a real-ID compliant identification. Besides the proposed rules that would in effect require a national ID for DOMESTIC flights, it also is not far-fetched to imagine passports only being issued to those with Real-ID compliant licenses. There are just a couple of examples in hypothetically limitless expansion of “official purposes”. That inevitable expansion, coupled with the massive amounts of information that can be stored on the card (and therefore be in the system), raise concerns regarding privacy and ID theft.

As the official purposes and information are open-ended, so might be the availability of the data. Officially, the real ID would create a database that states could access without the permission of the state from which the information originated. By definition, the federal government (see DHS), in implementing the database, would have access to it. Add to this the fact that Real ID standards make information on the ID’s compatible with international biometric data-sharing standards, and that DHS has openly expressed a desire to share biometric data internationally, and you have cause for great concern.

While we understand that rigorous standards for identification can reduce the ability for illegal immigrants and terrorists to operate in this country, border security is the more direct solution. To the extent more rigorous identification standards help, we are certain that states can define and implement those standards, and indeed many have. States are also perfectly capable of cooperating with each other or with federal officials as necessary for particular criminal investigations. The temptations and security risks of a massive database of sensitive information about law-abiding Americans is simply unnecessary.

We commend one of the great national champions in this fight, Missouri state representative Jim Guest, whose “Legislators against Real ID” website was the source for much of this information.

For immediate release - May 23, 2008

CONTACT: Catherine Bleish
Liberty Restoration Project
Tel: (816) 349-2283 or (816) 868-8806

HEADLINE: Kansas City, MO – 23 May 2008 – Presidential Candidate Dr. Ron
Paul on His Way to the Show-Me State.

Republican Presidential Candidate Ron Paul will continue spreading
his message by coming to Branson, Missouri at the end of the month.
Thousands have attended his recent rallies and book signings across the
country, and now Missourians and other Midwesterners will have the chance
when Dr. Paul visits the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson at 7 PM on Friday, May
30th. The visit coincides with Missouri Republicans gathering for their
state convention.

“There is no greater living champion for fiscal responsibility,
individual liberty and civil rights than Dr. Paul”, said Larry Holland,
Communications Director of the newly-formed Liberty Restoration Project,
based in Kansas City. “It is exciting to know that this movement continues
to self-perpetuate, with thousands of people every day learning that the
Golden Age of America need not escape our grasp, so long as we educate
ourselves on true conservatism and stay active to cure our society’s
ailments. Congressman Paul is one of the few Representatives whose feet
don’t have to be held to the fire for him to do those things that make the
most sense for America. The fact that his new book hit number one on the
New York Times bestsellers list is proof of that. It is incredible that he
will be in Branson during the gathering of the state’s Republicans.”

Branson, an entertainment and outdoor sports and leisure mecca, is
just 15 minutes from Arkansas, and is also in the vicinity of northeast
Oklahoma and southeast Kansas. The rally for Ron Paul is free. Besides the
rally, events for the Missouri Republican Convention will also occur on
Friday, May 30th, while the business of the Convention will be taken care of
during the sessions the next day, Saturday the 31st.

DISCLOSURE: This release is neither authorized nor reviewed nor approved

nor paid for by the Ron Paul presidential campaign.
For more information, contact Catherine Bleish at (816) 349-2283 or (816)
868-8806.
* * * E N D R E L E A S E * * *

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An amazing thing is happening in our country. Despite the sense of lost freedom, an incredible energy buzzes beneath the surface, and lately, has been breaking out into the light. Passionate and talented citizens across the country are dedicating themselves to a renewed message of liberty and integrity. Here in Kansas City we began as one of many loosely-affiliated meetup groups across the nation. Each of us inspired by the virtues and values of our Founding Fathers helped spread this message in a modern way, supporting contemporary candidates who have carried forth these traditions with integrity. The commitment to that message has resulted in incredible success here in the Kansas City area: we elected a slate of Ron Paul delegates at the Republican county caucus; we negotiated to remove challenges to over 160 delegates in our area; and we elected three delegates to represent us at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul. We achieved these successes despite the lack a formal organization. Accordingly, we decided to form the Liberty Restoration Project to increase our efficiency and ensure our efforts were applied beyond this Presidential election in both scope and time.

The Liberty Restoration Project (LRP) will widely promote our message of smaller government and commitment to the Constitution — traditional convservative values. LRP will have two arms of operation – one will be a 527 organization which will focus on supporting liberty-minded candidates and opposing non-liberty minded candidates in the 2008 election and beyond. We hope to work closely with similarly groups in this regard, both local and national. The second arm will be either a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) educational organization dedicated to enlightening the public and motivating them to action. The strategic planning process for this arm will begin in June of 2008 and will finalize with the submission of our articles of incorporation and other documents in January of 2009. We hope to design a lecture series, publish a book series, provide resources on our website, and initiate many other projects and programs to help people understand the civic processes in our country and encourage their involvement.

We are determined to help shape the direction of our country and know we can find success by focusing our energy through the Liberty Restoration Project. I hope you are as excited as I am to be a part of this movement and I look forward to hearing your ideas and input. We need your energy and brain power to ensure we find success. I strongly urge you to contact me if you are interested in getting involved and I warmly welcome your comments in any event.