Allison Bricker
The Smoking Argus Daily spoke with Mr. Bob Schulz, Chairman of the “We the People Foundation“. Many may recall Mr. Schulz and the organization taking out full-page advertisements in USA Today at the turn of the millennium protesting the legality of the Income Tax.
Since then, the organization and its members have submitted several Petitions for Redress to Congress1, the President, and the Supreme Court. All have been ignored, refused, or entirely dismissed by the courts. Thus, 2009 finds Mr. Schulz traveling the country driving from city to city calling for the formation of a formal Continental Congress.
The plan calls for the selection of three delegates from each of the fifty states, with nominations submitted via their website and confirmed at state level nominating conventions2. Mr. Schulz also explained to me that unlike the 1st Continental Congress which met secretly, the Continental Congress of 2009 will be streamed live over the internet for the world to bear witness. When asked about the prospect of not reaching a quorum, Mr. Schulz replied confidently that with such resounding resentment towards the Federal government across the nation, attaining full representation would be in no way a problem.
Whereas a lack of representation may not be a problem, his group has encountered some trouble with their initial choice of venue. Mr. Schulz originally desired for the event to take place at the National Constitution Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, just down from Independence Hall. However, according to Mr. Schulz when he called to wire the $14,000 Dollar deposit and finalize the contract in order to secure the facility for the first two weeks, the National Constitution Center Sales Associate began changing the terms of the proposal.
This reporter attempted to speak with the sales associate in question at the National Constitution Center, but my request was denied. The women who answered the phone stated she was the sales associate’s supervisor and thus “knew all about the incident in question.”
The supervisor, who refused to give her last name, and as such shall be referred to as “Supervisor Kelly”, first attempted to lay blame on Mr. Schulz for changing the dates from February to March. She then emphatically denied that the event’s function had anything whatsoever to do with the sudden unavailability. When asked to provide a quote for the sake of accuracy, Supervisor Kelly, finally figured out that I was from the press, (even though I identified myself at the onset of the call) immediately refused to answer any further questions, and instead attempted to direct me to the Center’s public relations department.
It is the hope of this blogger that we at The Smoking Argus Daily might be able to help facilitate a conversation between Mr. Schulz and Mr. Russell Means regarding a change of venue. Moving the location of the gathering to within the boundaries of the Republic of Lakotah is both closer to the geographic center of the continent3 and a land truly befitting of such a historic undertaking4.
During my interview with Mr. Schulz, when asked if he planned on using this solely as a publicity stunt where he would find himself as President and Director in Chief of the proceedings, he replied:
“I would love to see Ron Paul preside over it [Continental Congress 2009], I think he should resign… his seat in the House, I mean he’s done there, there is nothing more he can do there [in the House of Representatives], he has done a marvelous service for the country in waking up a lot of people to the message of freedom.”
Mr. Bob Schulz
Telephone Interview
January 20th, 2009
We also spoke in reference to the current economic crisis and how in this time of lost jobs and bailouts, what might a delegate to the Continental Congress expect to spend. Mr. Schulz indicated that according to figures based on lodging in Philadelphia coupled with the length of the meeting, delegates can expect an approximate cost of $7,000 Dollars to cover lodging and food. Regardless of the hefty price tag, Mr. Schulz reiterated that he expects a full house. He continued saying that the various state organizations through fund raising would help defray the costs per individual and that in some instances his organization would also work to help offset the direct cost to the delegates.
Mr. Schulz said that he hopes the Delegates will concentrate on pointing out clear violations of the Constitution, drafting a formal Redress of Grievances, and issuing a call for individuals and business to withhold all economic support/resources to the Federal government. He also made clear neither he nor the “We the People Foundation” is calling for violent overthrow and instead hoped to prevent any such necessity via this Continental Congress. Nevertheless, and with an air of pragmatism in his voice, Mr. Schulz acknowledged that there are only two possible reactions from government: they either stand down or clamp down.
For the sake of providing some comparative perspective, the 2nd Continental Congress drafted the infamous “Dickinson Olive Branch Petition”5 in the Summer of 1775. The petition requested King George the III repeal the “Coercive Acts” and make an honest effort towards reconciliation. However, the King’s return proclamation stated that the colonies were in a state of open rebellion and anyone who corresponded with or aided those in open rebellion to the crown would be tried for treason.
Shortly thereafter, Dr. Benjamin Franklin uttered the ominously witty words, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we will all hang separately.” So perhaps before running off to begin your fund raising drive in hopes of becoming a delegate, it would be wise to ask yourself if you are ready to pledge your life, your fortune, and your sacred honor in such a historic endeavor, and if not, might I suggest staying home.
Source(s): 1We the People Foundation – Petitions for Redress of Grievances • 2 Continental Congress 2009 – January 19th, 2009 Update, Online Delegate Nomination Form • 3 United States Geological Survey “Elevations and Distances of the United States • 4 2007 – Lakotah Unilateral Withdrawal • 5 Brown, Weldon A.; Empire or independence; A Study in the Failure of Reconciliation, Page 35, 1774-1783; Port Washington, N. Y., Kennikat Press; 1966, c1941
