Welcome To The RAP

Welcome aboard! I will check back on your blog to see how you are doing. Perhaps you want, as I do, a more immediate interaction between the posters than the column forums allow. Join me in sending a suggestion for chat rooms to the Admin on the Townhall site. Maybe that way you will see a quicker response to your questions. As it is, you read a column, then the comments, then you post a comment, then you leave the column to read something else, then if you can remember the column, you go back to it, then maybe someone has posted a comment addressing your comment. Kind of convoluted isn't it?

Best Regards and Good Luck
Scottie

Good start. Will be back to check on you.

Great idea!

...but traditional American values were based on Judeo/Christian ideals.

Our problem is that we are losing sight of that solid foundation, so the results are we're sinking.

This looks like it's going to be an adventure. We shall see. Man, you hit the nail on the head regarding the cumbersomeness of this process. It's also difficult to address each writer's specific point while trying to go back and forth between the reply box and the original post which may be way above where you are at that time.

A chat room discussion would certainly be a better way to address a key topic when we get to that stage, although I have no idea how to do it, I'm with you regarding your suggestion to the administrator.

doing more than talking." As a novice taking the first step into very deep waters, it great to hear there who are also ready to wade in. As you can see, this web communication process is all very new to me. I came up with my vision two years ago, but ran into a brick wall when it came to the best way to get a network going. I set up a website, but did not know how to get it exposed. Then, a light went off this weekend when I realized a whole new world of grass roots communication channels has evolved with blogging, Myspace, texting, IMming, etc., etc., The possibilities are endless until the left figures out a way to get control.

I tried to contact you through your name, but the link was not live on your post. I set up my profile to allow writers to email me directly. Feel free to use that link if you want to talk further w/o having to go through all the blogging steps. Talk to you soon.

worry about my bubble. There is no question that traditional values were based on Judeo/Christian principles. It is also correct that "losing sight" of that foundation is our country's root problem, today. Did you infer something to the contrary from my post?

I have no experience in creating organizations, but from what I know, grassroots organizations don't start from average joeblows venting on the internet. You need the kind of people who organized the Minutemen. They know how to attract activists and to focus them. In fact, they would be a good organization for establishing a PAC. Alternatively, you need a lightning rod such as a Bill Bennett or John Kasich, etc. I.e., a well known conservative with credibility as a person, connections and knowhow in getting influential allies and money. That is essential for drawing good people willing to take a risk and contribute cash. Pat Buchanan may be the impetus for this movement, but he is not the type for leadership. He is too blunt and lacks a scintilla of charisma.

Thanks for the feedback. I need all the encouragement I can get. You make some excellent observations. This will give me an opportunity to clarify some of the questions others may have as well.

My vision is a national political action "network" not a PAC. This concept is strategic in that a grass root network does not need to be funded. I'm hoping to establish a strictly volunteer network. The reason I prefer doing this w\o funding is to avoid all the hassles that come with money. No government oversight needed. No opportunity or temptation for corruption. Etc.. This should help us attract people who have the right motivation.

Regarding your second point, organization, again you are obviously right. But we must remember, every great movement started with somebody who had a vision. Their leaders and organizers didn't start out knowing all the stuff they know now. Effectiveness comes from preparation, planning, perseverance, diligence and lots and lots of hard, back breaking work. This isn't difficult. It's just time consuming.

As for your last point, "drawing good people," I'm sure you know that nothing breeds success like success. Everybody wants to be part of a winner. This movement will be very attractive to a lot of those "lightning rod" personalities you mentioned, once we have a few solid victories under our belt. All we need to do is get this train rolling, I'm confident we'll have those folks lining up to be a part of a winning cause.

In short, it would be great to have the kind of high octane, big league help, publicity and support you indicated. However, we cannot afford to wait for that perfect situation. Now is the time to move or tomorrow may be too late. Thanks again for taking the time to write. Hope you'll join us. You sound like someone who could make a great contribution.

Great Idea! Grass roots conservatives needs a kind of organizing force outside of the national parties.
One thing that will be needed will be a list of objectives, goals, or "talking points" to let people know what the group stands for. Then stand behind it. Don't quiver. The points should be direct, with no room for questions. Kind of like a "Contract with America."

I waited for the other guys posted before me. Because most are far more intelligent than I on world affairs etc. I just try and use common sense. Ha! And even that isn't alway working.

Anyway, your idea is a good one and worth pursuing. And I agree that it should be an all volunteer group. However, I disagree that it can be done without money, perhaps a lot of it. Not that it would require a huge investment right off. In fact, if you look at it the way I do, it's already started with the comments posted here.

But something like this needs good organization and a base of operation. That should be a web site. Not a web site for general public use as Townhall is. I wouldn't even be anxious for search engines like Google to pick it up for awhile. The longer it could stay somewhat private the more time to get established without outside interference.

The website should be set up with passwords for members only, perhaps ( I'm not sure about that. ) But it should be set up with specific projects and goals in mind. Not trying to cover all events like Townhall does. Plus should contain a chat room type forum as Scottie suggests. In that way members would have instant access to the exchange of ideas and related progress. In other words, a site specifically designed and controlled ( thru input ) by members.

Don't think you would need to advertise, I believe this would grow by leaps and bounds though word-of mouth. When things do get rolling you will need to have member voting on directors etc. As you know, a ship can have only one Captain. Anyway, those are my thoughts if it helps.

Ah! I see the Liberals are already starting their attacks. All the more reason to be private.

Couldn't agree more.Reading all the criticism of what is wrong does nothing to fix the problem.All we read about is the trouble America is in.No one(particularly the left)has a plan to make it right.Keep us posted on your(our) efforts!

Thanks for the encouragement and helpful ideas. Things are starting to pick up.

I'm interested to know what it will look like.

I'll check back...

Good initiative!

As I said in my last post, the feedback is starting to come in. Your suggestion to set up a private, members only website seems to be right on the money. When I got this vision in 2004, I created a comprehensive website and published it to no avail. No one ever found it. I became disheartened and gave up, believing it to be hopeless.

Now, with all the new open air communication technology, there is no limit as long as we get things up and rolling before the powers that be panic and figure out a way to shut down the airways like China has done.
I'm working on building and publishing another website. I think I'll follow your suggestion, too.

As for the issue of money, your assessment is probably more realistic than my altruistic aspirations. Only time will tell. As you said, one thing is for sure, while we may be able to operate w/o formal funding mechanisms, there will definitely be costs. For example, the web hosting fee is a monthly cost. The people involved will be using gas in their cars, etc. Overall, I'm still optimistic that we can build an effective network through word-of-mouth and rely on existing technology for intragroup communications.

I have been thinking about this for a long, long time. If I'm going to spend my time, I want it be on something that makes a real difference. Once I get a core group of volunteers, I plan to share my thoughts and work with them to develop a final strategy that everyone can get behind and support. Then we'll be off and running. So far, I've had plenty of feedback, but only three people have offered to get involved.

Again, my overall vision is simple: mobilize the silent majority and use our voting strength to take the country back, piece by piece. I hope you're right about things taking off once we get rolling. Again, thanks for the feedback and the encouragement.

I would love to help any way I can. I also wanted to start a blog when I saw that they were available on Townhall. I still don't have one, so that may be an indication of how much time I would have to help. I will try to set up some time to let you know what I can do. Just have to find time away from work, etc.

Some questions, and I am sure you have considered, but:

Where are we focusing our efforts for mobilization? As you know there are many different areas.

What will be the end goal? Education (by education I mean spreading the conservative voice)? Winning elections? Maintaining values?

Are there other organizations, if perhaps smaller in scale than what you envision we could learn from?

I guess this seems a huge undertaking, and I am curious to know what it will look like.

Hope that's helpful.

OK RAP Here are some Lazlo Ideas:
1. Month without money. The illegals gave us a day without 'immigrants' (cleverly leaving out the illegal part). Give them back a Month Without Money. Hit the casino, hotel, restaurant, service industry with a month long embargo. Explain that it is to be a shot over the bow of companies that make a profit hiring illegal aliens. Repeat as necessary.
2. PROVE IT! Letter writing campaign. Organize a letter writing campaign to all services we hand money to. Write and make available form letters that citizens can send to local business that demand proof of legal status of employees in order to retain our patronage. Letter states that until they provide documentation PROOVING that the employees are legal to work in the US, we and our money are staying home.
3. CEO watch. Compile a list and make available to the citizenry CEO's of corporations that hire illegals and their contact information. Provide form letters to write these guys.
4. Phalanx of photographers. Assist grass roots organization of photographers to take pictures of illegal alien hiring sites and the trucks (emphasis on license plates)that pick them up. Provide addresses that photographers can send pictures to; alerting the authorities to possible illegal hiring.
5. Fast food fast. Organize boycotts of fast food places that are notorious hirers of illegals.
6. Landlord watch. Again form letters. Provide form letters to health department, Human services agencies, Title companies etc. for the residents to write and complain about landlords who rent to illegals.
7. Money Talks activist database. Compile a list of organizations that work to end this problem that take donations. This includes Minutemen and the like.
8. Representative of the month club. Each month assign a representative (Kennedy, Bush, Pelosi, etc.) to be the recipiant of online petitions and form letters. Provide contact information.
How's that for starters?
I left out English Only Day (where we set aside a day to pointedly ignore those who don't speakee Englee) because I'm trying to be nice on first contact.
Lazlo

I think you're idea is a good one, and if I can help in any way let me know.
Lazlo

Several people have indicated a desire to know more about the RAP before making a decision to get involved. In response, I have posted two of the original documents that were on my website in 2004: our Action Plans & Statement of Purpose. Everything is pretty straight forward:

1. We want to mobilize the voting power of the silent majority of people who feel the way we do.

2. We want to use that voting power to put replace the people who are destroying our traditions.

As it stands today, we have no voice. We have been shut out by the media and politicians who don't like the way we think. So, the goal is not to convert anybody to our way of thinking. We just want to join together with others who already share our values.

This network will allow us to talk to each other on local, state, regional and/or national levels re issues that concern us. There is no plan to attack specific issues. The network's only objective is to make sure we have a voice. Once we have a voice, then issues (like illegal immigration, Lazlo(?)) will take care of themselves. I hope this helps.

By the way, we are now up to ten (10) people who have volunteered to participate in this effort. I will go with whatever number we end up with after this week.

Thanks everyone.

Please let me know if you still need more info to help you make a decision. I hope these documents provide the answers to the questions you posted. If not, just let me know what else you need. Thanks

What you need is not anonymity, but publicity. Everyone knows about the million mom march, the Hispanic march, the Minuteman border watch, etc because it caught the attention of the media. These were people in the streets letting their desires and concerns be known to everyone. You may not be ready for that yet, but that has to be a major goal. Unfortunately, young people are too busy making a living and taking care of responsibilities. But there is a huge reserve of retired people who have the time, money and energy to (peacefully) demonstrate where needed. This is probably the main source of membership for the Minutemen. Try to target this demographic. Don't forget logos and slogans on web site, stationary, and clothing. You can sell the latter two.

We're working feverishly to get this off the ground and up and running. I think the key thing will be timing. You're also right about the baby boomers. Not only do they have time and resources, they probably understand the importance of the what's at stake a lot better than the younger generation. Time will tell.

I'm thinking it would be a good idea to join with the Minute Men, since they are already organized and have name recognition. Rap could be an offshoot of their organization. And some participants in the Minutemen might want to get involved with Rap as well..and vice versa.

Volunteers in the Minutemen pay their own expenses..Rap can operate the same way.

One thing we need to keep in mind is that the target date for implementing the removal of the borders..and along with it..our soverignty.. is 2010 according to information I found on the internet..Less than four years away..I can't remember, now, whether this was on the CFR web site or the Vincente Fox web site.

But, for all practical purposes, this is a done deal unless we act fast. President Bush and President Fox shook hands on it some time ago. Trying only to head it off at the ballot box will be too little too late.

What we need is to awaken the American People as quickly as possible. If we could muster a large number of people to demonstrate..soon..we could get our message across with signs as we clog the streets..probably of D.C...or, perhaps Kansas City..or some other appropriate city.. just as the Mexicans and Blacks have done to get their messages across.

And immediately begin a boycott of Mexican businesses and services to get our point across..especially no more Mexican Restaurants..they hire large numbers of illegals. We could make ourselves felt quickly this way.

As for a spokesperson..why not Senator Tancredo?
He is definately on this bandwagon already. And in addition to Pat Buchanan, Lou Dobbs is an ally. He feels very strongly about this, too.

I think Lazlo has some good ideas.

We can innundate the president and other key people with letters and emails and faxes..write letters to the editor, etc. We can spread the word to all our friends about this plan that has largely been kept secret from the American People. I sent Pat Buchanan's article to all the people in my address book tonight.

As for keeping the Web Site secret..how could you do that without excluding a lot of people who might want to join the fight?

But then, I'm just an old Lady. What do I know? My daughter is a baby boomer...but she is still busy with her family...It is my generation you want to get involved in this as well as the baby boomers. We can remember when this really was the land of the free.

This sounds good, and I would love to be invovled. This is a great idea.

As it moves forward, though, it seems we need to have some specific areas to focus on and some specific tools to do so.

I think the education system needs great attention, and some sort of way to reach parents and teachers hard would be great. I think a heavy ad campaign or something of the sort would be great. Offer seminars. Offer booklets. Hit it hard, but hit it without constant "warlike" rhetoric.

Huge toic, but that's a start with my two cents...

If you read my blog, you'll see I think we need to get the nation on the same page. Currently, the left has altered so much that its coming dangerously close to a new language.

I would love to help somehow.

Your post was delightful. You made several astute observations and gave some very thoughtful advice. Let me see if I can address them appropriately.

Joining the Minute Men: Maintaining my focus will probably be the most critical element in the success of this project. There are many, many wonderful groups, organizations and individuals on our side, out there fighting the good fight, in their own way. The Minute Men is one such entity. However, their focus is our borders. My focus is replacing the kind of people who created and sustain the border problem. If we get rid of them (the cause), the border debacle (which is only a symptom of the real problem) will eventually be resolved.

On the other hand, while it would not meet my needs to "join" the MM, it would certainly be advantageous to "collaborate" with them and any and all of the other like-minded luminaries (Tancredo, Dobbs, Buchanan, et al.) you and others have recommended. Anyone who can spread the word and let the silent majority know about this effort to unite our voices is a step in the right direction. Also, there is no doubt the RAP effort could benefit from their logistical and/or strategic advice, resources, etc.

2010 deadline: You are absolutely right. Time is definitely not on our side. Unfortunately, the only thing we have on our side is due diligence. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” In other words, if it is meant for us to stop them and give our country a second chance and our kids, grand kids and great grand children any chance at all, then we will succeed. If not, at least we can say we went down in a real fight. We gave it our all and we gave it our best.

Protests, Boycotts, Demonstrations: As I've already said, all these activities are great and many great and wonderful people are already devoted to such causes. However, as evidenced by the ever increasing inroads being attained by the left over the past 40-years, it's obvious none of these activities has even slowed, let alone stopped their take over. Their side just absorbs and distorts the effects of these efforts, and just keep right on going. I'm not criticizing anybody. All I'm saying is this: I won't be satisfied with just having done "something." My objective is to do something that achieves the desired results. The only acceptable result is: 1. A cessation of the left's take over; 2. A rollback of all the damage they've done over the past four or five decades; 3. The ability to prevent them from rising to power again.

Secret organization: I still think it might be wise to keep our core group's planning activities out of the public eye during the startup period. The less the left knows at this time, the better. Fortunately, our effectiveness is not in how much media attention we get. Our effectiveness lies in how many members of the silent majority can be networked effectively. That is primarily a word of mouth issue. That's where your suggestion of collaborating with existing conservative groups would come into play. For example, every Minute Man knows another conservative, who knows another, who knows another and so on, ad infinitum. This is where organizations such as Focus on the Family could give the website address to their listeners. Eventually, I hope the conservative talk show hosts would put out the word, and so on.

The bottom line is this, at some point, our objective is to have every conservative voter in every voting unit across this nation, informed, mobilized and empowered at every level. One phone call, email, blog update, text message, etc., will bring instant reaction. That's the only thing politicians and people in power understand. Then, over time, we will replace these people on our school boards, city councils, state governments, and so on, all the way to the top.

In the last election, over half of the people who were registered to vote, did not vote. Many say it's because they are apathetic or disengaged. I believe they feel helpless and betrayed and justifiably so. The media and existing power structure has cut the silent majority completely out of the political process. It is virtually impossible for a true conservative to rise to power today. The media literally destroys anybody who dares. For example, if George Bush was not your choice for president, who else was there??? If we succeed, the people can choose their own candidate by word of mouth through the RAP network. With all the Blogs, websites, etc. and other communication technology available today, we can have our own national, local, regional discussions on candidates and the issues. Nobody on our side will pay attention to all the character assassinations in the media. We will know the truth about the issues and the candidates. If only half the folks who did not vote are conservative and join those of us who did vote, conservatives will own this country, again.

Boomers vs. Seniors: We need everybody!!! A vote is a vote.
God bless you, "old lady"

Rap

I hope my extended reply to the little "Old Lady" post answered your questions satisfactorily. Again, my focus is to destroy the root of our problem. That means we have to get them out of positions of influence and replace them with like-minded people. If local school boards are filled with conservatives, we won't have the nonsense we have now.

As for your direct involvement, right now I'm trying to get the logistics structured and implemented. At some point, let's say in your local area, there will be a RAP Blog for every electable position. Let's say, your city council. Via the Blog, the people in that voting bloc will be able to monitor all council decisions and activities and coordinate their voting options. If something happens alarming, a simple post will inform everyone. If something is going on regionally or state wide, that, too, will be posted for immediate reaction. When there is a national issue, the info will be disseminated across the network. It will be like a national "neighborhood" watch program.

Once we have a structure in place, people like you could take responsibility for setting up the network in your area and helping others do the same for their areas. Hope this helps.

Since the two major parties have become, in effect, morally and intellectually bankrupt, and with McCain and Giuliani apparently the only lights on the GOP horizon, we Christian conservatives now have but one option. The time has come to found a Christian republic on this portion of the North American continent. As a necessary first step, a provisional government must be organized. Enough talk, people! Let's get down to brass tacks.