Even though I live close to the Capitol, we decided to take the train into the city, and so we loaded into the car and drove to the Metro station. Arriving at the Metro garage, I knew it was going to be a good day. We parked within view of two cars with Ron Paul bumper stickers. Inside the station, we waited in line to buy our tickets and saw a nice looking man wearing a Ron Paul TShirt. Of course, we said hello.

It turned out to be John Warnick from Breckenridge, CO. What a font of knowlege he is. He and his wife had come to DC for the rally. We talked during the Metro ride, and wondered what the day would be like.

Our small band of 5 disembarked at the Smithsonian Metro stop. Almost immediately we were joined by two fellows from http://www.frestateproject.org. They gave us bookmarks, and we walked a bunch of strangers united. On the curbside, we started noticing cars sporting the message. Each time we saw one, we would yell out “Ron Paul”, like children playing punch buggy. As we made our way from the Castle to the Capitol, we realized that this was no small event. Even though we had chosen not to participate in the March, it was impossible not to notice the Ron Paul prescence.

The Washington Mall is a large piece of land and in July there are American and Global tourists visiting DC. Yet, in the melange of folks, it seemed every third person was wearing some sort of Ron Paul paraphenilia.

When we arrived the Capitol grounds…WOW! People. Lots of them. People with children; people in costume; people who believe in liberty.

We circled the rally, looking for familiar faces. To be honest, they were all familiar faces. They were the faces of hope. Of freedom. Of liberty. Of patriotism. They were the faces of me and you and America.

But it was hot…and though I had brought sandwiches and cucumbers, we started looking for water and a place to sit down.

Success. My sister pulled out a $5 federal reserve note, and was told “no charge”. She donated the paper that in itself has no value…the water was iced and tasted sweet.

Just then, the voice from the stage was singing the National Anthem, as a 9-11 theorist was taking…I heard the beautiful singing and tried to not hear the “f**K” and F**ked up” that the man was using. I placed my bag at my feet, came to attention and saluted our flag. Almost as if on cue, the crowd became silent and honored our anthem, our country. My sister looked at me curiously, and I wispered that Congress had recently authorized veterans to salute the anthem, even if no longer on active duty; even if not in uniform. The man in front of me raised his right arm in a crisp salute- no words were spoken between us.

As much as I love this country and as much as I am never ashamed of my 20+ years in the service, I am confused. How can something as trivial as the right to salute my flag be an issue that is taking up the time of Congress?

Anyway, the song ended powerfully. We continued our walk.

I should mention now, that I am 55 years old, and a retired, disabled veteran and it WAS HOT. We sat on the wall, not far from where I sat on April 15th. We sat and I watched and I learned. It was a glorious event so far.

The loudspeaker system worked perfectly. We sat and listened to the speaches and watched the Americans- again, WOW! Cameron (the 16 year old) decided sitting was too passive, and plunged into the crowd. I cannot estimate numbers, but it was a crowd. The Capitol police was out in force, but they had no need to intervene. They were in fact, helpful Americans offering advice to the participants and aid to those overcome by the heat.

I don’t bring a camera to events, but in this case I wish I had. In retrospect, I would have liked to have made a visual journal of all the Tshirts and signs. They are a facinating gallery of living art, of living commentary. But, I didn’t, so I have to rely on the pictures in my mind. They are always in focus, and will stay with me forever. I thank my sister and my young friend Cameron and the many other supporters who captured the day in photography.

On the grass, behind me was a a charismatic man using a puppet to record the event for SCTV. I had to laugh…Next to me was a man from Pennsylvania, dressed in velvet in the style of the revolution (#1) I am sure you will see his picture on the internet.

The speakers were incredible. All of them. But in particular, I have new curiousity about Chuck Baldwin, and will learn more about him.

Around 4 oclock, Dr Paul appeared at the stage. He looked comfortable and relaxed in a short sleeve, blue knit shirt. I only mention that, because other speakers had warn suits and ties. Carol was not with him. (God bless you, Ms. Paul), but two of his daughters were there.

He was funny, sharp and brilliant. Some have said that he spoke of nothing new, but isn’t that his whole message? He is consistent in his love of America, his praise of his family, his thanks for his supporters, and his values: our values. And he spoke loving words about his friend, Kent Snyder.

He spoke for about half an hour, and then the most amazing thing. He was done and HE WAS GONE! I mean he was gone! He finished and literally sprinted away…up the Capitol steps taking two or three at a time, like an athelite in training. I wasn’t the only one who noticed. My sister, who had moved closer to the stage said in awe “did you see that?” My sixteen year old friend, who had gone to take pictures…could not keep up with him. The young family in torquise T-shirts commented on it,as did a young man from Texas sitting near by. Everyone noticed and spoke out loud…sort of a communal “ooohhh!” I can only compare it to what Dorothy said when Glenda popped away in her bubble—”people come and go so quickly here.”

The day was far from over, but it was time for Dianne to go home! The Metro was a happy fantisy, filled with Ron Paul Tshirts, buttons, signs, and stickers. A woman on the seat in front of me asked “what was the rally about?” I answered “Freedom. Do you know Ron Paul?” She said yes, she was a Libertarian. I smiled and told her Chuck Baldwin was there, too. She asked who he was….***sigh***. Maybe she will read about the day in the mass media. OH! I guess not.

I want to thank everyone who came, everyone who worked to make it happen, everyone who believes in the Constitution.

I wish I could go to Minneapolis, but think that is out of my realm of possiblitiy. I hope someone will go, and be my eyes and my ears.

R3volution. Dianne

Peace be with you.

“The fact that president Clinton will most likely escape removal from office I find less offensive than the Congress’ and media’s lack of interest in dealing with the serious charges of flagrant abuse of power, threatening political revenge, issuing unconstitutional Executive Orders, sacrificing US sovereignty to world government, bribery, and illegal acts of war, along with the routine flaunting of the constitutional restraints that were placed there to keep our federal government small and limited in scope.”

[Ron Paul]

“The fact that president Clinton will most likely escape removal from office I find less offensive than the Congress’ and media’s lack of interest in dealing with the serious charges of flagrant abuse of power, threatening political revenge, issuing unconstitutional Executive Orders, sacrificing US sovereignty to world government, bribery, and illegal acts of war, along with the routine flaunting of the constitutional restraints that were placed there to keep our federal government small and limited in scope.”

I agree with you that there is a revolution going on, people are waking every day but for many, they must be pushed further into a corner to react and pushed they will be. Pushed, all will be but it is just a matter of how far and then we will see our Revolution indeed.

I personally can not believe it is taking the masses this long. We endured the lies of 9/11, many needless wars, trampling of the Constitution, wars on our rights, deaths, debt, inflation, illegal aliens, tyranny etc, all because the people refuse to do a little research and understand the treasonous acts committed against us because a FRAUDULENT Central Bank has been allowed to rob us of everything!

The call to freedom beckons us to STOP swallowing the mass drugs that dumb us down, including the propaganda and wake up from our lazy stupor and REVOLT! We need not separate ourselves into factions of unhappy citizens for this reason or that! We must understand that the war is against us as a people in every faction of unhappiness and because of this, we must rise together as ONE on the Capitol and take it back. Simply put, there is no other way our null and void Government will hear us because they no longer work for us. I for one am hoping that the people wake up sooner.

In Solidarity,
A Fed Up Citizen

Hehe–learned that in the kindergarten schoolyard, eh?

You are quite the specimen.

Pure rhetoric, and clumsy rhetoric at that.

Does this two-bit kindergarten attempt at psychological manipulation and interrogation actually work with your audience of yahoos?