END THE FED - Philly Awesome Line-up of Speakers: Michael Badnarik, Walter Reddy, Sam Rohrer, Larken Rose...

The Fed is the US economy's meth lab.

A few weeks ago...I was arriving on an Island off Florida with my wife, daughter and son-in-law. We pulled into the condominium complex and were instantly struck by a sporty and shiny white Cadillac - because it had huge "Ron Paul" signs on both sides of the car!

We were all instantly in awe...whoa...small world!

Very early the next morning, I was going fishing and got-up extra early and decided to walk out to the road; past the Ron Paul Cadillac. A guy walked out to the parking lot with an END the FED t-shirt - yea, fortunately it was an island off Florida and not Missouri.

Turns out, Rob, the writer of this fine Philadelphia article, and the Ron Paul Cadillac guy are one in the same - I think. Rob, you gave me some cold Heineken beers and some rum (vacation leftovers) to make my fishing trip better - it worked. Only you freedom lovers will appreciate the warm camaraderie of meeting up with others from the move.

Count me in for Philadelphia - I'm from Pittsburgh and will check into the Philly meet-up group so I can be with some friends!

Larry

END the FED before it ENDS US

Larken Rose was convicted of a MISDEMEANOR willful failure to file, not tax evasion, and not any kind of fraud, which is why he only served a year in prison. Get your facts straight.

Regardless of whether or not this ETF rally has the perfect speaker line-up for YOU, the event will be phenomenal for ALL OTHER patriots, truth seekers, and freedom fighters! Besides, if you weren't involved in the organization of this event, and weren't present for the planning discussions, how can you rightfully criticize that to which you had such little exposure?

We have an enormous amount of momentum now, thanks to the End-the-Fed movement! We are just one of the decentralized units acting as a catalyst for a real peaceful revolution on multiple fronts. Check out our meetup site below.

With Liberty and Justice for All,

The Hammer

http://www.meetup.com/PhillyTruthAndFreedom

I take great exception to your harsh words. I count at least 4 absurd and offensive arguments you make here which defame me greatly and distort the reality of my objection.

First, let me say that I salute you for organizing this event. Even if I disagree with who you're allowing to speak, we're fighting for the same cause. I applaud you for doing the legwork and getting the other speakers. It's good that you got Rohrer, an elected official who has been supportive of the cause. Badnarik is a great speaker and nationally known. I voted for him, donated to him, and have taken his class. As for Lingenfelter, I'll address him in a separate reply.

We cannot control who supports a movement. When "wingnuts" show up at a Ron Paul / C4L / Tea Party / End the Fed rally, we're generally stuck with them. But we can control the message the organizers themselves convey. We can control who is invited to speak. I happen to disagree with the cumulative effect that the addition of Rose and Lingenfelter will have on the image of the End the Fed movement. In trying to attract mainstream support, I think it's unwise that 2/7 of your speakers represent the "perennial failed candidate and crank" and "convicted tax cheat and crank" view in the eyes of the average person (the average person is right about Lingenfelter, but unfairly judging Rose). And after thinking about it more closely, I don't think the Larken Rose addition is that bad. Let me make it clear: I have great respect for Rose. My worry was how it would be perceived/spun by our opponents. I still have concern about Rose speaking, though, because the speakers' lineup is already about a third "rogue's gallery" with Lingenfelter on the billet.

That being said, you are WAY out of line with your attacks.

1. You write: "And when you say, 'is this the image we want to convey...' First of all there is no "we" in your case. You had zero involvement..." Yes, I said "we." By "we" I meant those who are campaigning for liberty and against the Fed. The fact that I'm not an organizer of this specific rally does NOT mean it does not reflect on me. It reflects on all of us. If your position is that the rally only reflects on those who organize it, then you're basically telling people they shouldn't show up.

Before you jump all over me, I'm using the following example merely to illustrate a point about how events reflect on the larger movement. If someone runs a Tea Party where segregationists and white supremacists speak, are the people who show up in support of the message immune to criticism because they aren't "we"? What about those who support the rally's message and some of its speakers (I voted for Badnarik, and am a big supporter of some of the authors you listed)? If you were to hold a Tea Party like this, you would be harming the reputation of all those involved with the Tea Party movement. It's not FAIR that the miscalculation of some should reflect on everyone, but that's the way our media and society work, sadly.

2. You repeatedly attack me with questions like "where were you?" and imply that I haven't worked hard enough for this movement. Granted, I have taken a bit of a break. But you didn't know that when you jumped down my throat with your "holier than thou" stance. I've viewed the Tea Parties with some skepticism because those organizing them in my area aren't the activist type. They're the GOP hijacking type. But I've been extremely generous with my time, support, and money over the past decade. I was on board with the campaign since Dr. Paul formed his exploratory committee. I was a county organizer for Dr. Paul's run. I was not only there at the big rally in Philadelphia, I was there 2 hours early to help organize with folks like Mehul. I've organized my own events around the area that have attracted dozens. I created a website to answer media attacks against Dr. Paul during the campaign. And I was involved heavily in state, local, and national libertarian and reform issues before all of that that.

3. You write: "Incidentally, I am glad you publicly stated that you will not be "lending" your support. One, it suggests that had you participated you would expect something in return." This is just an asinine ad hominem attack. I've never asked for anything back for my political involvement. I've never even used that involvement to give me "reformer credibility" and seek public office, unlike some people (::cough:: Lingenfelter ::cough::).

4. You write: "Keep me apprised of your activity, your recruitment, the next 3 or four events you plan, the next 3 or 4 events you attend, the candidates that you support monetarily and through real activism, when and where your next speaking engagement is, what office you are running for, the dozens of calls, letters, faxes that you generate and the results thereof, your next trip to the statehouse to speak to your rep, next time you are engaged in anything worthy of soliciting the support of others united in the cause of freedom. We will see if it is worthy of our support." I wasn't aware you worked for the Border Patrol, and had the "right" to demand that I provide you a list of my political activities and who I donate money to. Maybe I should just post my resume online so angry, territorial "reformers" like you can call me at home to either ask for my help/money or harass me because you feel threatened that someone leveled a minor criticism at your event.

I apologize if my original criticism was not clear, but you are out of line in attacking me. Your enthusiasm in organizing (and defending from criticism) the rally is commendable. But even those who agree with your goal have the right to disagree with your tactics and decide to sit out (or speak out against) specific events/decisions. Feel free to address my criticism head on. But if you're looking to attack me personally, you're barking up the wrong tree.

I'll be there. The first Philly End-the-Fed rally last November was big. This is going to disrupt the city. It's a great opportunity to educate.

I'm thrilled to have Michael Badnarik and Larken Rose involved. Yes, Larken is a convicted felon. SO WHAT? Every revolutionary is labeled a criminal by those they oppose.

If you are within a reach of Philly, please join us! Stick around for Michael Badnarik's class.

Ron Paul has this to say about his book: "Michael Badnarik has created a constitutional primer that will edify and entertain school children and seasoned libertarians alike. Good to be King presents a thoroughly readable explanation of how our constitutional republic should work, and how the system became borken in the first place."

I know you had a great time at the Philly Ron Paul rally.

Is this the image we want to convey with this:

- Tom Lingenfelter is a perennial losing candidate who is a laughingstock to normal voters -- and most reform-minded voters who he alienated by helping destroy the PACleanSweep movement.

- Larken Rose is a convicted felon. I'm not judging him for his stand against the IRS. But it sends a bad image.

I will not be lending any support to this event under those circumstances.