Last Friday, myself and a colleague, had a sit down with a councilman of Kansas City to discuss certain issues that we have with the city. There’s not much liberty in Kansas City and they love their Orwellian toys, revenue generators, and squashing out freedom where they can.

Does the Kansas City City Council and the KCPD want to militarize the urban core? Seems so with the implementation of the lovely ShotSpotter system. First of all, let’s understand where this system comes from; the Green Zone in Iraq. That is correct and where they want to use this system is in the “Green Impact Zone” of Kansas City. The ShotSpotter system is a (acoustic surveillance) microphone system that, if funding is granted, would set up this detection system in the heart of the urban core. Federal grants have been applied for through the KCPD. This is a costly system and seems to be a waste of money where more officers could just be placed on the streets in these “high crime” areas. However, there are others on the council and KCPD that are truly “fired up” about this expensive “Orwellian” system. The councilman stated that he did think this system was too expensive, a waste of money, and the money should be used in deploying more cops onto the streets.

The red light cameras are going nowhere, unless we take action and do something about them. The love the city has for the money those unconstitutional robot cops make is much to great for the city to just let go, or even look into the constitutionality of them. The funds raised from these revenue generators go straight into the city’s general fund. One might find it amusing that Kansas City’s City Council may believe that Arizona’s Immigration Bill steps all over due process and will then pass a resolution letting Arizona know just how they feel about that, but you try to discuss due process with the red light cameras and the response you get is crickets. The councilman believes that the red light cameras are providing safer streets, they are needed, and even if the city makes no profit from the cameras, they will stay up. He also stated that they were only installed where the city found the highest number of red light accidents.

Is Kansas City fed up with the E-tax? You bet your bottom dollar they are and they’re letting Kansas City know in the form of doubling the number of petition signatures needed to put the initiative on the ballot to get rid of the tax. So, what will happen if Kansas City citizens tell the City Council they no longer want that one percent e-tax stolen from them? Property taxes will shoot through the roof!! Actually, it was stated that even if all the taxes collected from Kansas City residents were maxed out, the full amount allowable to be stolen and put into the city’s coffer still would not cover the revenue generated from the E-tax. Understand that the way the city sees it, those in the more affluent areas of the metro and surrounding areas are the ones that are truly funding it and Kansas City citizens will not like the outcome of repealing the E-tax. One might argue that if you truly want smaller government, remove their funding, however they will most likely find more ways to steal from us. The councilman did state that he is in favor of the e-tax and does not want to see it repealed.

One item that we did agree with the councilman on was Urban Farming. He stated that the reason we’re being stalled in our fight for legalizing freedom is because of elitism running rogue in some people of the council. The elites that are opposed to this legislation, which would lead to a person having the freedom to sell excess fruits and vegetables from their gardens from their house, are worried about high crime and property values. Yes, high crime is a worry that may stem from selling some lettuce or tomatoes from your front yard. Property values will plummet because people buying houses do not want to have a garden growing on the property next to them. Also, think about the traffic that this type of freedom loving legislation would lead to! You’re going to have neighborhoods packed with cars that don’t “belong” there, people you may not know will be running rampant through the neighborhood, and what about the CHILDREN?!?! Will we see an upswing in kidnappings?? Are you scared yet? Can you feel the grip of fear tightening around you, arising from these worrisome issues? Issues pushed by the elite, forcing your consideration on such simple matters as planting your first garden seed, based on what they perceive as the growing threat of providing the service of selling the fruits of that seed from your own property. There is a glimmer of hope in the fight, found in the sane voice of a Councilman to whom we spoke. He believes the bill to be a community builder for the city, and that’s a key point we can truly agree on.

While we don’t agree on everything, he did appear, through his own admission, to be the one that would agree with our stance on liberty in Kansas City more than any other councilperson. I commend him for taking an hour out of his schedule to meet with us, humanize, harmonize, and discuss. We just hope that our unbending liberty stance grows infectious, and becomes palatable to more office holders as time moves forward.

Funkhouser Defends Red Light Cameras As Ban Proposal Stalls

KANSAS CITY – Missouri put the red light on banning red light cameras in the state Friday. It’s the end of the legislative session and since the issue didn’t pass the House, the proposal is dead for now.

The local group opposed to red light cameras is now calling for Mayor Mark Funkhouser to meet with them and talk about their concerns, but the mayor said it’s an issue of public safety.

Gabe Grider with the Liberty Restoration Project says the red light camera system is flawed.

“They don’t actually ticket the person,” Grider said. “They ticket the vehicle, they ticket the owner of the vehicle, whether it’s the driver or not and there’s some legal problems with that especially when there’s multiple names on the vehicle registration.”

Grider said his group has heard complaints about people getting multiple tickets for one violation or turning right on red.

Since the mayor is in support of the cameras, the Liberty Restoration Project wrote a letter, requesting a sit-down with the mayor to go over the concerns.

“The city claims they installed them for safety, but they’re installed for revenue purposes,” Grider said.

Funkhouser says it’s not just about money. In the first quarter, Kansas City has seen 18,000 fewer red light violations and 67 percent fewer accidents involving someone running a red light .

“My own family was hit at 75th and Main where a lady ran through a red light and smashed our car and people were hurt,” Funkhouser said. “This is a safety deal.”

The mayor said he’s open to talking to the Liberty Restoration Project about its ideas like lengthening the timing of yellow lights, but he calls the red light cameras a clear winner.

“There’s a certain sensation of Big Brother and all that, but I think the way to stay out of trouble is to comply with the law,” Funkhouser said.

Liberty Restoration Project has also discussed the possibility of a ballot initiative, saying that any city where the issue has come to a vote of the people has been voted down.

KANSAS CITY, MO. – People pushing for a proposed law banning red-light cameras in Missouri rallied for support in Kansas City Saturday. A red light camera ban already has passed the state senate.

There are 29 red light cameras across Kansas City. And every time one of them flashes a photo, a vehicle owner gets a $100 ticket in the mail. The city claims the cameras have made intersections safer, citing police statistics showing a drop in the number of accidents at these locations.

“It is a proven program, that it works, the police are very supportive of it,” said Steve Glorioso, former aide to the mayor. “It frees up officers to fight crime, violent crime, burglary, etc. And yet, it allows the city a way and the police a way to cut down on people violating our traffic laws.”

But a group calling itself The Liberty Restoration Project said red-light cameras are all about seeing green for municipalities and vendors that sell them. Supporters of a red-light camera ban say there more effective ways to make intersections safer that don’t cost drivers a dime.

“If you extend the yellow light times by one second, it reduces accidents by 70 to 80 percent,” said Tracy Ward, protester. “All red, which means all the streetlights are red for an extra half a second also increases safety in intersections, it doesn’t cost taxpayers any extra money.”

The state transportation bill currently includes a prohibition on photo red light enforcement systems. Supporters believe there’s a good chance lawmakers will pass it, and then it will be up to the governor.

This is the first in a series of open letters to Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser on behalf of the Missouri Citizens who support The Liberty Restoration Project.

We, The Liberty Restoration Project, have been public in our opposition to the red light photo-enforcement systems since January of 2009. We hold the belief that photo-enforcement systems are installed and implemented in conflict with Missouri State Law and we support the proposed state legislation, which would specifically ban the use of any photo enforcement against citizens of Missouri or citizens of any other state who operate vehicles in Missouri. We believe these systems encourage corruption, fuel and promote negative attitudes towards government and law enforcement, and abuse the rights of citizens. We also stand firmly on the belief that photo enforcement systems are not implemented for safety, but for a revenue source through force and coercion. While we recognize photo-enforcement systems are not unique to Kansas City in the state of Missouri, our organization is based in and receives the most support from the Kansas City area and its surrounding communities and, therefore, we ask you, Mayor Funkhouser, to publicly respond to the following:

1. There are several proven actions that can be implemented for little or no cost at all that reduce red light running and improve the safety of intersections.

Extending yellow light times by a minimum of 1 second
Adding a brief “all red” signal in the cycle stopping traffic in all directions
Increasing the size of stoplights
Clearing unnecessary obstructions that affect a driver’s view of either stoplights or traffic
Synchronizing stoplights to allow a more fluid flow of traffic and adjusting timing to allow sufficient time for vehicles making left turns
Painting chevrons on the surface of the road leading into intersections, which visually tricks drivers into slowing down and leaving larger gaps between vehicles

Why were none of these actions undertaken by the city before the implementation of the photo enforcement systems?

2. In reference to the intersections on 71 Highway, history has shown these intersections are not only dangerous for vehicles but also for pedestrians. A choice was made during the design/construction of this highway to include the three intersections instead of overpasses with pedestrian walkways. These three intersections are the primary source of traffic congestion and stoppages, which unfortunately promotes frustration and unsafe driving behaviors as drivers attempt to avoid stopping. Traffic congestion and stoppages decrease the air quality of the urban core as drivers sit through multiple stoplight cycles at each intersection during their commute.

Do you, Mayor Funkhouser, publicly support the decision that was made during the construction of 71 Highway to include stoplights at 55th St., 59th St. and Gregory Blvd?

Would you, Mayor Funkhouser, support changing the aforementioned intersections to overpasses?

3. The selection of intersections for photo-enforcement is quite suspect. Nearly every intersection has a higher complexity of infrastructure and design than most standard intersections including highway on and off ramps, is part of a highly traveled commuter router or both, and in the case of 71 and 152 Highways, higher rates of speed approaching the stoplights. There is notably a lack of photo-enforced intersections in neighborhoods of higher affluence, i.e. Ward Parkway, Brookside Boulevard, Briarcliff or 64th Street north of the river.

Do you, Mayor Funkhouser, agree with our opinion that the photo-enforced intersections appear to be purposefully placed in fundamentally flawed intersections and in areas of lesser affluence to increase the volume of tickets while reducing the amount of challenges in court?

4. We have seen in the past few months of 2010, statistics published and quoted by city officials regarding the perceived increase in safety since the implementation of the photo-enforcement systems. However, no or very little data accompanies those statistics regarding how the data was collected, analyzed and how it was compared. For example, stating that a 20% drop in accidents occurred at a certain intersection because accident data for 2008 was 5 accidents and in 2009 was 4 accidents is not a statistically sound or accurate representation of what actually took place over those two years. What was the definition of an accident? Did the definition change between 2008 and 2009? What was the traffic volume? What is the ratio of accidents to volume of traffic? Were there extenuating circumstances in either year such as construction, weather or other factors that changed normal operating circumstances of these intersections? Who collected the data? How was the data collected? If in 2008, 200,000 vehicles passed through the intersection with only 5 accidents while in 2009 traffic was reduced and 100,000 vehicles passed through with 4 accidents, the 20% improvement goes away. You see Mayor Funkhouser, just a simple comparison of one year to another does not provide an accurate picture of whether or not photo enforcement systems are actually working.

In an effort to achieve more transparency and in keeping with the trust placed in your elected leadership by the citizens and voters of Kansas City to not mislead or misrepresent them, will you, Mayor Funkhouser publicly release the details of how and by whom the data was collected for the statistics city officials and area media outlets are using?

5. The most recently released monetary statistics state that the city has collected over $5 million dollars from citations mailed to homes of individuals listed as the owner of a vehicle that was photographed despite the fact there in no proof the owner was operating the vehicle. City officials have claimed that these systems are installed for “safety” purposes only. During testimony on March 17 of 2010 in the Missouri Senate Transportation Committee, individuals testifying in favor of photo enforcement on numerous times indicated that these systems both cost more to lease and operate than hiring human officers and also admitted the removal of such systems would cost municipalities large amounts of revenue. We at the Liberty Restoration Project and the citizens we represent believe that by leasing the camera systems from a private company encourages both the leaser and the lessee to engage in corrupt behavior to maintain the systems.

Mayor Funkhouser, if Kansas City’s one and only intention is safety, then why are the photo- enforcement systems leased from a company in Arizona and not purchased? If the intention is only safety, we feel that 100%of the profits collected from these systems should be donated to charities in the communities where the photo-enforced intersections are located. Could you share specifically what the profits from photo enforcement are used to fund?

6. Through our own observation of photo-enforced intersections, citizen testimony and actions taken by Kansas City to temporarily shut down photo enforced intersections due to errors, we have concluded the accuracy and reliability of the leased photo enforcement systems is not consistent with how they are being represented to the citizens of Kansas City by city officials and most media outlets. In addition to the accuracy concerns, we have greater concerns regarding the privacy policies of both the company in Arizona that operates the cameras and the company in Ohio that collects the money from citations. Kansas City is essentially selling the personal information of Missouri citizens for a profit to out of state companies.

What are the privacy policies for American Traffic Solutions and the collection agency in Ohio?

What are these companies authorized to do with the personal information provided to them?

Do these companies run background checks before hiring their employees?

It is our belief that citizens in both Kansas City and Missouri have not been provided with sufficient information to make an informed decision on the issue of photo-enforcement. In our research we have found that when photo-enforcement systems are put to a popular vote, they are defeated every time. In response to the concerns we have raised in this letter, we are requesting an immediate meeting to gain answers to our questions. As a matter of transparency, and public disclosure, we will record the meeting, in order to provide the citizens of Kansas City, Missouri and neighboring states with a more complete analysis on the issue of photo-enforcement. Such due diligence is both necessary, and required, in order provide the best service, while protecting civil liberties, for our citizenry.

In defense of the principles our Republic was founded upon,

The Liberty Restoration Project
P.O. Box 413953
Kansas City, MO 64141
816-213-1923

It’s apparent that our voices espousing freedom are not reaching ALL ears.  However, NIMBY hens seem to truly continue to rule the roost.  It’s not about aggression towards your neighbor, it’s about property value and quality of life.  Those are the true things we must hold dear in these economic times.

We attended a meeting tonight concerning Urban Farming and CSA’s in Kansas City this evening.  The hens took over with more concern over “what if’s” and “what could’s” than the average person could possibly think of in an hour debate.  Is it truly that concerning having people possibly sell a few left over goodies from their garden out of their homes??  Seemingly so…

Let me just provide you with their own words from the lovely world wide web:

“Professionals, what is your opinion about this KCMO ordinance that legalizes running a farmers market from residential neighborhood yards?

As a real estate agent, I think that it is a HUGE mistake! I will have to explain to my clients that they cannot sell their home for as much because it sits between two 24 hour a day vegetable stands — and people won’t buy a home next to that. Why would they? Perhaps they will move to a neighboring city where the city doesn’t enocurage commerical businesses to be run out of a yard in our residential neighborhoods. And the Mayor wonders why people are leaving the city…”

“When people are looking for a neighborhood to purchase a home in, they typically tell me (as a real estate agent), that they want a quiet street where homes and yards are well taken care of, streets that are not busy and not next door to commerical development. Supply and demand determine price. If there is no demand to live next door to someone who is running a produce stand from their yard, the price will drop. That’s Real Estate 101. This ordinance is the city basically telling people that we can legally run commercial farm businesses with no oversight (health and business wise).

I don’t want to look out my front door to see neighbors in business battling to have the biggest, most decorated yard, a big, colorful decorated tent to draw attention, creatively decorated signs and elaborate display tables competing for people to stop at their house instead of the neighbors tent. Competition for business is the American Way!

Imagine the children that used to be able to ride their bikes or play together in the street, or front yards on the block. If you have a business, or 2, or 3 on the block, that is a thing of the past. No one will allow their children to navigate around the cars of customers and farm workers, or to go outside without any kind of vetting of the strangers who can potentially have access to them. Not to mention that the more people on the block increases exposure to criminals. We may as well be opening our doors to them.

I cannot find an argument that shows, like Councilman John Sharp says (in other cities), helps to increase property values. What am I missing?”

“I will be speaking directly to HUNDREDS of clients in the KC Metro about this astonishing idea…no health department oversight, no zoning restrictions other than the size of the sign. When homeowners are struggling against watching the value of their homes diminish right before their eyes…taking what is supposed to be an appreciating asset and watching it turn into that much like a car note, we take it to the next level and allow our neighborhoods to be trampled on and turned into adult Lemonade stands…with little to no oversight…ABSOLUTELY AMAZING….Stop this now!!!!”

“Are you okay with the concept of a Farmers Market on your residential block? The council, on May 5, 2010, is on the verge of passing an ordinance that will allow people to run farm businesses from their front yards (side & backyards, too). This is a HUGE problem for not only property values, but quality of life and safety issues, too.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser encourages the entrepreneurship of it. Here are some of the things that can happen under this ordinance:
*Build a 14′ tall outbuilding/greenhouse/hoop house
*Post a 4′ tall sign in the front yard (no time/date restrictions)
*They can construct and put up a tent of any size, color design in front yard
*Set up a table of any size or style for display and selling in front yard
*Garden must only be 3′ back from front property line/street (can grow produce in front, back & side yards)
*Parking lots can be added on properties that are over 15,000 sf
*Can have multiple farm businesses on the block – signs, tents, table, workers & customers
*Will be run like businesses meant to generate income—from their home
*Have workers (no limit on the number allowed) to work on their garden/farm – during any hours of the day or night without limit
*Host a produce sale open to the public 7 days a week, any hours of the day and night, any season/year round- with no restrictions
IS THIS OKAY WITH YOU? The council needs to hear our voices.”

*It’s quite true, you know.  Allow this behavior and people will start putting up stands in their front yards ALL over the city!!!  There will be competing farmer’s market sprouting up from every person’s backyard.  It will lead to not only the selling of food, but the selling of t-shirts and salsa out of one’s front yard.*

While one might think that very last statement was sarcasm, it’s TRULY a fear that the NIMBY’s have concerning the passage of this ordinance.  However, in this day and age, I’m all for somebody making a buck on the side of their house or in their front yard.  I just wish they didn’t need a license to do it.  (That is what I’d leave out of the ordinance).

We need to start reconnecting with our neighbors and community.  If you have a problem with your neighbor, how about going and speaking to them personally instead of being a tattle tale and sicking the state on them?  How about having open dialogue with your neighbors?  Fear and negativity do not bring about positive change.

They think the mayor is the one causing people to leave over issues like this??  Maybe they just don’t want to live next door to a dictator neighbor… think about it!!!

We didn’t get all of the best pieces on video due to a lack of tape/battery, however, here’s what we did catch:

Yesterday, Senator Lembke introduced an amendment to HB2111 to include a statewide ban on Red Light Cameras, the amendment passed 23-8.

Senator Lembke asked for a roll-call vote so we know who stands where on this issue:

YEAS:
Barnitz – (573) 751-2108
Bartle – (573) 751-1464
Callahan – (573) 751-3074
Champion – (573) 751-2583
Clemens – (573) 751-4008
Crowell – (573) 751-2459
Cunningham – (573) 751-1186
Dempsey – (573) 751-1141
Engler – (573) 751-3455
Goodman – (573) 751-2234
Green – (573) 751-2420
Griesheimer – (573) 751-3678
Lager – (573) 751-1415
Lembke – (573) 751-2315
Mayer – (573) 751-3859
Pearce – (573) 751-2272
Purgason – (573) 751-1882
Ridgeway – (573) 751-2547
Rupp – (573) 751-1282
Schmitt – (573) 751-2853
Scott – (573) 751-8793
Shoemyer – (573) 751-7852
Stouffer – (573) 751-1507

NAYS:
Bray – (573) 751-2514
Days – (573) 751-4106
Keaveny – (573) 751-3599
McKenna – (573) 751-1492
Shields – (573) 751-9476
Vogel – (573) 751-2076
Wilson – (573) 751-9758
Wright-Jones – (573) 751-2606

ABSENT:
Justus – (573) 751-2788
Nodler – (573) 751-2306
Schaefer – (573) 751-3931

However, HB2111 still has to make it through the Senate Government Accountability and Fiscal Oversight Committee and then go back to the House and probably a conference committee before it finally passes, and each step carries the possibility that this anti-RLC provision could be stripped, so we’re not done quite yet.

While I appreciate all the Senators who voted in favor of this amendment–and of course Senator Lembke for his tireless fight against Red Light Cameras–it was very nice to see Bill Stouffer vote “YEA” on the amendment. Senator Stouffer, as chair of the Transportation Committee, is key to making sure that this provision stays in the final bill. So while I plan on calling all of the Senators that voted “YEA” and thanking them for their vote, I will be sure to thank Senator Stouffer especially and let him know that I noticed and appreciated his support for this very important measure, and I encourage others to do the same.

I’ll keep everyone updated on the progress of this bill, and if anyone has anything to add to this or any other suggestions on how we might keep this provision in the final bill, please let me know and I will be sure to spread it around. Thanks!

Tracy,
I wanted to write briefly to our South KC supporters to inform you of a couple important opportunities to support urban agriculture.
The harassment from our neighbors here on Bannister Rd. continues, as we had another visit from codes officers earlier this month.  Unfortunately, we simply could not stay on our current site.  We cannot farm here in the manner we wish, and will have more freedom in a more supportive neighborhood.  We are happily and excitedly moving to a new 13-acre site we have purchased on the East Side of KCMO.  Here in South KC, the vocal opposition of a few people succeeded in drowning out our area supporters.
And our opposition may win an even larger victory if good people like you don’t speak out in coming weeks.
Over the past six months, a group of Kansas City farmers and residents have worked to revise the ordinances surrounding urban agriculture.  Our hope is to protect other farmers from the type of harassment that we received, and to legitimize the wonderful farms and community gardens that have existed throughout KCMO for many years.  You may read the proposed changes on the City’s website, and you may also access further information urban agriculture: http://cityclerk.kcmo.org/liveweb/Documents/Document.aspx?q=gwQ25M6kfLBpQAH2KArtCVQTuNiMyZkVhPHNtnlPCMYJ%2b2FvKs5bOtLbpVG3Tq5a

The Center Planning and Development Council (which claims to represent residents of South Kansas City) has a powerful lobby in City Hall, and is opposing the ordinance change.  We feel that it is important for South KC residents show that this group is NOT representative of the whole community.

Center Planning and Development is meeting Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.  It would be great to have some community members show up who have a more tempered perspective.  The time and place of this meeting follows this email, along with this group’s reaction to these revisions.

Also, this revision will be heard by City Council’s Planning and Zoning Committee on May 5th at 1:30 p.m. on the 26th floor of City Hall.  We need as many supporters present at this hearing as possible, especially those from South KC.  This hearing, as well as letters of support to Council, will largely dictate the outcome of the vote.  If you cannot attend this hearing, please consider writing to City Council.  Even a brief email to city-council@kcmo.org would help greatly.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call or email us.  Thanks for your support!

Best regards,

Dan Heryer & Brooke Salvaggio

BADSEED

(913)-522-3458

*****

CENTER PLANNING  and DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Summit View Church of the Nazarene

80l W. 97^th Street, KCMO, 64114

Tuesday, April 27th, 20l0, 7:30 p.m.

Will Your Neighbor Be Selling Vegetables From Their Front Yard?

Our speaker will be Patty Noll, Project Manager, and Zoning Ordinance & Subdivision Regulations Revision of the City Planning & Development Department.  She will be explaining the new Urban Agriculture Ordinance No. l00299.    There are many good aspects to urban farming; however we need to reflect on some issues with the proposed Ordinance..

The proposed zoning ordinance allows agriculture (farming) in all residentially zoned districts with very few restrictions or standards to protect residential neighborhoods.  Selling of farm projects would be allowed in all residential districts either through special or temporary use permits with no limits.  Accessory buildings such as hoop buildings could be 20 feet (may be reduced to l4 feet) in a residential district where the current height limit is l0 feet.. .

Would you want an agriculture business next to your property?  How will that impact the value of your property?

This Ordinance is scheduled to be heard before the City Plan Commission at l0: a.m. on April 20 and before the Planning and Zoning Committee of the Council at 1:30 p.m. May 5. We need you to call your councilperson now to oppose this ordinance, and come to the hearing at City Hall.  For more information call Stacey Johnson-Cosby at 8l6 59l 592l.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

3:00pm – 5:00pm

Outside the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City – Corner of Main and Grand Streets

Join us for our Bi-Annual End the Fed Rally.

Bring your signs, flags, bullhorns, video cameras and let’s rally!!

We will be meeting on the east side of the Federal Reserve Bank at the corner of Main and Grand Street.  Around 3:30, we will start marching down to the IRS building and then back to the Federal Reserve Bank!!

We hope to see you there!!

PRESS RELEASE:

One Liberty Restoration Project member’s take on the tea party from last year and this year:

The Kansas City Tax Day Tea Party celebrated at the Community America Ballpark this past April 15 was completely transformed from last years tea party…and not in a good way. This years tea party seemed more like an organized, statist political rally unlike the organic, quite spontaneous, tea party rally from last year that I attended at Liberty Memorial.

There were a few reasons I had my reservations about attending this years tea party. First, this tea party was commercially advertised for months in advance. Second, if you wanted to have a table to help promote your organization, your cause, or yourself as a politician, you were charged $50. They also had suites available for those who were better off and could afford the upward cost of $350.00. Third, the tea party was held at a ballpark in the outskirts of western Kansas City, KS. How does having it in a confined area, such as a ballpark, help get the message the speakers were discussing out to the masses? You were literally in a bowl. And last, most of the people in attendance were fans of Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin. I’m sorry, but Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin’s views are opposite of those from which the original tea parties were started from. The Anti-FED, Anti-War, Anti-Left/Right Paradigm, Pro Sound Money, Pro Freedom, and Pro Individual stance originated from Ron Paul’s grassroots movement is where the original tea party started.

I went with the hopes of reaching a few new people to understand that taking on the Federal Government is the incorrect way to reach the change that they are seeking. Yes, I understand that the Federal Government has grown well beyond it’s limits, however, as Lysander Spooner puts it – “the Constitution has either authorized such a government as we have had or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case it is unfit to exist. “ Our mission then is to work on the local/state level and get the individuals in those offices to say NO to the federal government and work within the city’s/state’s own limits and power to take care of itself. Rallies once a year are great, but what are the tea party people doing the other 364 days a year to fight for liberties and freedoms in their own backyard?

The statist mentality at the tea party was almost overwhelming. I don’t believe that the people in attendance were ignorant by any means, I just think that they’re uneducated in certain areas. You can not be a libertarian and be pro-war. That is an oxymoron. You cannot fix a completely broken system, simply by saying no more taxes. There is not left or right paradigm, just as there’s no real difference between Coke or Pepsi. Voting in candidates as individuals who stand for freedom and liberty is one way to address getting the change you are seeking. However, the easiest way to take on big issues, is by starting on your city, county, state, level YOURSELF. Be pro-active in an issue. Keep your eye out for legislation up for a vote in your city council or by an entire city vote and make sure you take it on if it’s against what liberty stands for. ANY issue. I know many people that are rallying behind the freedom to vote for your local judges, legalize cannabis, ending eminent domain, putting at stop to the surveillance state, making sure no more taxes are raised on a local/state level, etc. People need to get out their and find an issue or two that they are passionate about and go fight for it!! Gather people together to protests, have weekly/monthly meetings about strategies for getting your issue voted on the way that you’d like to see it voted on. Go talk to your local city representatives, talk to your state representatives, state senators, and police department. Let them know that you’re a part of a group of peaceful people who just want to bring about a change towards liberty in your area. Localize, Harmonize, Educate, Active. Make your voice heard LOCALLY, because in the end, it will be heard NATIONALLY.

Next Saturday at the Liberty Restoration Project’s two year birthday bash, I will be stepping down as the executive director of the organization.  We will be holding an election so the grassroots may select my successor in the same fashion I was selected to serve, this person will serve a two year term as well.  I will remain intimately involved with the organization in an advisory capacity, as a spokes person, and most importantly, I will continue to focus on one of our most recent projects, http://OperationDefuse.com.  By stepping down as the executive director I hope to give another willing person the opportunity to pick up the balls I have dropped, expand the programs I helped start, and bring new energy and new direction to the organization.

Helping found and run this organization has taught me to deal with the most difficult of adversity, to multi-task like an insane person only could, and has provided me with the opportunity to meet some amazing people as I travel across this beautiful country representing the values and ideals of LRP.  It has been the most rewarding experience of my life, but I am going to be honest, the level of sacrifice has left me exhausted.

For the time being it looks like I will be staying in Austin, Texas where multiple opportunities have made themselves available to me.  I am working on a local school board election (http://glenmayes.com/) and in a few short months the Rise Up Radio Show will be back on air on a local AM network here in Austin.  I also plan to finish my Masters of Public Administration degree, which requires one final semester of dedicated course-work (this is an example of something I have completely neglected since the formation of LRP).  I am in the process of writing two books, one on the use of internet media to grow a business and the second on a little tactic I call “guerrilla activism”. Through the Operation Defuse team, I will be working closely with some major movers and shakers on the formation of a grassroots fusion center – potentially named the Liberty Information Logistics and Analysis Center (LILAC).

Its hard to believe LRP has been around two entire years…. And, boy, have we grown up fast!  In two years members and supporters have put tens of thousands of fliers, Constitutions and DVDs in the hands of Missourians and interested folks across the country.  We have testified in the halls of the Missouri legislature, banner dropped the highways of Kansas City, rallied with our neighbors, knocked on doors, attended city council meetings, organized festivals, and most importantly we have built a community of loving, intelligent, and fun people and we are happy to consider family.  Not all of our dreams have yet been brought to fruition, but we are definitely on the way.

Please join us as we celebrate the growth of liberty and the transition of organizational leadership this Saturday after the 3rd annual LRP End the Fed rally (you may vote on the new leadership if you have donated financially to LRP in the past two years or if you have volunteered with our organization at a minimum of two events.
End The Fed/Central Banking System Rally
Saturday, April 24, 2010
3pm – 5pm
Outside the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City – Corner of Main and Grand Street
Liberty Restoration Project’s 2nd Anniversary/Birthday Bash
Saturday, April 24, 2010
5pm-9pm
The Gusto
3810 Broadway Street, Kansas City, MO
I hope you all know how much I love you and thank you for all of the amazing support you have given to our organization and to me as an individual over the years.  I will still have my LRP email address and phone number, and will still be an “official” member and representative of LRP, I just have to shift my focus so that I may stay sane moving forward

So much love,
Catherine
Catherine Bleish
Executive Director
Liberty Restoration Project (more…)