Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Indianapolis Tea Party Organizer (Laura Behney) bans activist's free speech

Cross posted at IndianaTeaParty.com

I am writing to spread sunshine on something disturbing that was done to me today by the organizer of the Indianapolis Tea Party. If you are going to the Tea Party in Indianapolis, this concerns you. Many of you may think I should shove this incident away in a closet, but I cannot for sunshine is the best disinfectant.

Today, I was banned by Laura Behney who heads the Defenders of Liberty. She is the organizer the Indianapolis Tea Party to take place tomorrow. Laura, who self-proclaims to be a defender of freedom and liberty, silenced my freedom of speech right in her own back yard yet wants to hold the government accountable to protect your liberties. Sadly, she failed to protect my 1st Amendment freedom. And she has the right to do so, because the group she runs is technically private. That doesn't make it right. And it certainly is not principled in freedom.

Here is background on what took place.

I've been delighted, yet also concerned deep down about why there is so much mainstream media coverage focused on the national tea parties. Mainstream media (MSM) is corporate controlled and that's why I'm concerned. It is corporatism that bankrupted America. (Yes, we ARE bankrupt.)

When I first got wind of the tea party in Indianapolis, I was very excited to help. It was all coming together at the time we were planning the Revolt At The State House event focused on local and state issues in Indiana.

It is my belief from all my experience, that it is too late to save our federal government. We have no control there to enact change there. We won't win against that machine. The rest of the world has power to enact change through pressure on America and the people who control our government.

However, we DO still have power to change our local government and our local election results. We CAN realistically make Indiana government accountable, obey the Constitution, and do what it should.

Yet most people at the tea party tomorrow won't be able to tell you the name of their city councilperson, let alone their state legislator or state senator. Don't believe me? Conduct your own poll. Many won't even be able to tell you where the city county building is located just four blocks away, because they have never been there or know what takes place there.

On the email list of the John Birch Society, today I published an opinion stating my belief that the MSM and Republican Party are herding well meaning Americans to these Tea Parties in order to distract them from the real place where they have true power to change their government. That place is local and state government.

I stated that the elites controlling our federal government are literally laughing at the peasants in the streets who they are bilking for trillions of our future wealth. These elites are also very relieved that so few people are paying attention to their state and local government. That part is most delightful to them. Their worst nightmare is 50 states with clean accountable governments controlled by The People standing up to the Federal Government.

These elites fear our citizens taking lawful control over our local cities and states.

I suggested that the MSM is leading well-meaning sheep (novice activists waking up) straight into the slaughter by distracting them from the only part of government they can control...that part which is in their own back yards.

For this opinion, I was banned.

The tea parties are not grass roots. It is a national movement within the Republican Party to herd people into the party so their players can have control once more. This is the same party that had their butts handed to them in November after letting George Bush and for a while a Republican controlled House run amok for 8 years. Now they all of a sudden found God? I don't think so.

Meanwhile, there are many very good people inside the Republican party trying to change it from the inside. They are the Republican Liberty activists.

True grass roots has a bottom up management style. The tea parties are top down management and the proof is right in front of your eyes. It's seen in the national conference calls to coordinate the events, it is seen in the reluctance of the organizers to use the grass roots activists already plentiful and successful in Indiana, and in their amazing power to generate MSM out of no where and literally overnight.

Grassroots doesn't get that kind of action accomplished overnight.

Desperate to rally the same kind of grass roots support that Obama enjoys, Republicans (many well meaning freedom fighters) upped the freedom movement with their friends at FoxNews and social networking. The Behney's volunteered to head up the "grass roots" in Indianapolis. And they honestly believe that this is all grass roots. And they are working very hard and I'll never take that from them. They are giving 150%.

A few weeks ago, I gave over the keys to the IndianaTeaParty.com site to the Behney's when the national tea party web got hacked. I also published their email and directed a few thousand people their way. (This blog got more than 400 unique readers today alone.) I wanted to help. I don't think it is a bad thing that so many people are getting together to demand freedom.

I also believe that there are good well-meaning people that are waking up to what is happening in America and are finally ready to learn and do something. I also know most will go back to American Idol next week, and rely on their emails (harvested from this activism) to tell them how to vote so they don't have to do the hard work of watching over government for themselves. And you can bet the people at the top of this movement are counting on that.

If we are to lead our government to a better place, we need to be staunch practitioners of the very principles we espouse ourselves. And that starts with protecting our 1st Amendment freedom to free speech and free press.

8 comments:

  1. Still amazes me when the uninformed follow like sheep and get a blog then follow the parent prees core next time please do your home work before you speak.This event was for everyone. have you ever read the constitution

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. I attended the Ft. Wayne Tea Party and Allen Keys was there. Pat Miller from WOWO, a local radio station introduced Keys. This was very hisheartening to me becuase I listen to the station (it is conservative), skipping over Limbaugh, some Hannity, and yes, sometimes Beck. The real talker that gets no props or "chatter" is Savage. Anyway, it was shortly after hearing Key's introduction that I quickly left the crowd. I went off to a corner of 2 main intersections and did what I was there to do-- be free and speak! Now, my every instinct was to leave that groud before I started growing wool and baaaing. But seriously, something was seriouly wrong, I felt it in my gut. I did not need to hear Key's loud, hammering voice going over and over his agenda and repeating our mistakes. People gathered around him like he was something special. All I heard was a very loud and angry voice. I did not want to associate myself with his feelings, thoughts or speech. I spent the day with 2 others that stood with me in calm, beautiful protest. So, I totally get what you are saying about Republican's being a major part of this effort. There were some major players at some of these Tea Parties, which is tacky, in my humble opinion. They had every opportunity and they blew it. Attending a Tea Party does not make that all go away. A matter of fact, if you are a true Independant, their presence, any political presense is bothersome. If anything, through this whole experience, I have learned that there really is no "party" for me. I will attend a Tea Party representing my values, traditions, and Constitution in my heart. The most amazing thing about the Tea Party was the reaction of those passing by. I recieved a middle finger or two, some yelling that I was crazy and some head shaking in protest of me. I thought to myself... only in America, and it was awesome! So, know that I understand and totally felt the same way that day. Everyone wants to be a part of something, to make a difference, but there is a clear distinction between a part and tearing apart. Also remember that some of these people are looking to run for public offices. These Tea Parites, if we are smart, will show the truth's in these people. My friend, I get it! Amber, Indiana

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  6. Richard and Laura Behney used the positive energy of well intentioned grassroots people to further their own agenda in which they see themselves as some type of Messiahs.
    THey arrogantly dismiss and ignore those of us who want to give an opinion.

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  8. I was born a Hoosier, moved to Detroit in 1935, to California in 1944, but found that from my Quaker ancestors who started coming to Indiana in 1806, that I'm related to almost everyone in the state. I'm an Independent Candidate for President, and if you search Google for "Don Cordell for President" you will see, I have solutions, not just complaints. We Hoosiers are independent, and honest, and we must Restore not Change our nation. Our government plans to nationalize our farms, to make puppets of us, to follow orders, or else. Taxes! You haven't seen taxes yet. WE are in trouble, and we must retake control of our government, and do it now. 2011

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