From our friends at DownsizeDC:
ATTENTION VIRGINIANS
Can the various states make enforcement of National Defense Authorization Act's
(NDAA) indefinite detention provisions (kidnapping!) a bit more difficult for
the federal government? Can they, on behalf of their citizens, withdraw consent
from a blatantly unconstitutional law that kidnaps persons and denies them due
process of law?
Last week, once again, DC Downsizers joined in an effort to partially nullify
that law. The bill, introduced by Delegate Bob Marshall, HAD ALREADY PASSED THE
VIRGINIA HOUSE.
Your calls and emails to State Senators tipped the scales, from a 20-20 vote,
to a veto-proof 39-1 vote for a slightly amended version the next day. But
because the bill was amended, it had to go back to the House.
Now, Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) is getting involved. He's insinuating,
through Delegate Barbara Comstock, that some forms of federal cooperation will
evaporate.
And Ms. Comstock is also arguing that, even though she and her colleagues have
sworn an oath to the Constitution, this is a federal problem and none of their
concern.
And here's my favorite part! Some members are bothered that many of the people
calling and writing are using the word "nullification."
We've been told it's a turn-off. Really?
Imagine that. Scared of a little word. There are two things to point out here.
First, as much as I wish it was, HB 1160 is NOT a true nullification bill. It's
a non-compliance or non-cooperation bill. The bill merely suggests that state
and local employees and facilities can NOT be used to assist with an NDAA-style
arrest or detention.
But more to the point, last week one of our helpful allies was the Japanese
American Citizens League. They wrote a passionate, open letter to the members
of the Virginia Senate endorsing HB 1160. So I ask this next question, not with
hyperbole, but with respect.
I wonder if the Virginia Delegates had a chance, KNOWING WHAT THEY KNOW NOW, to
stop the "internment" (kidnapping) of Japanese Americans, would they believe
nullification was just and proper? Or would they...
* Cower to a Washington politician, like Frank Wolf, who threatens them
like a mafia don?
* Echo the do-nothing attitude of Ms. Comstock, who says the civil
liberties of people in Virginia is none of our business?
What a bunch of wimps! The opposition to this bill is unworthy of the oaths
they've sworn.
But our concerns don't end there. The Governor, Bob McDonnell, has his eye on
the Vice Presidency. Through back channels he's letting it be known that he
doesn't want to have to sign or veto this bill this year.
And this is where things get really pathetic.
96-4. That was the vote tally when HB 1160 passed the Virginia House the first
time. But believe it or not, the bill is now in danger of being defeated!
In other words, perhaps as many as 47 could flip-flop, whether it be in support
of their governor's political future, or under the threats of Frank Wolf, or
the policy of benign neglect of the Constitution as suggested by Barbara
Comstock.
Yes Virginians, it appears that at this late hour many legislators need a
spine-infusion from YOU.
If you're not from Virginia, please pass this on to someone you know in
Virginia.
But if you are a citizen of the Commonwealth, please act NOW!
Here's the action to take...
1. Visit the link below for contact information for your Delegate:
<http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView>http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/MWebsiteTL?OpenView
2. Click on your Delegates name to get their email address and TWO phone
numbers capitol and district offices.
3. CALL them. Best option respectfully, yet firmly urge them to pass this
bill. Let them know that you want them to stand up for the Constitution of the
United States AND the Constitution of Virginia. They took an oath to both.
4. EMAIL them. Even if call, you can still email too. Or just email if you're
shy. Send a courteous yet convicting email, urging them to vote yes on this
bill.
5. Do the same for the Governors office 804-786-2211 or
<https://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm>https://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm
Please, take action now.
Remember, everyone across the country can take action too. Tell Congress to
repeal Sections 1021 and 1022 of the NDAA, using
<https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/detention/>DownsizeDC.org's Educate the
Powerful System.
Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.
P.S. I'm guest hosting a talk-radio show tomorrow (Wednesday). The show is
Straight Talk w/Jerry Hughes, heard on the Accent Radio Network.
My guest is Lynn Atherton-Bloxham. She's a former commodity and stock broker,
as well as a long-time pro-freedom activist. She wrote a column that I think is
incredibly important, not necessarily for what she wrote (which I liked), but
more so for the question she's asking and answering which is, "HOW do we make
society more peaceful, prosperous, and free?"
Increasingly, it seems to me, fighting over political position isn't going to
get us where we want to go. The problem is, simultaneously, deeper yet simpler.
There must be some basic ethical principles that guide us such that those who
violate them should feel profound shame, regardless of their occupation.
We'll discuss her editorial at length. You can get a head start by reading
it:<http://www.americandailyherald.com/pundits/lynn-atherton-bloxham/item/the-21-step-civilization-improvement-program-3?category_id=193>"The
21 Step Civilization Improvement Program."
You can listen live at 2:07 PM Eastern (1:07 PM Central, 12:07 PM Mountain, and
11:07 PM Pacific).
To hear the show on the web, or to find a local station, visit the network's
website. <http://accentradionetwork.com/>http://accentradionetwork.com/
Affiliates can be found in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Oregon.
You can also listen on your phone! Toll free at 1-386-524-0333.
D o w n s i z e r - D i s p a t c h
Official email newsletter of <http://www.downsizedc.org/>DownsizeDC.org, Inc. &
<http://www.downsizedcfoundation.org/>Downsize DC Foundation.
Sponsored by DownsizeDC.org, Inc. a non-profit educational organization
promoting the ideas of individual liberty, personal responsibility, free
markets, and small government. Operations office: 1931 15th St. Cuyahoga Falls,
OH 44223, 202.521.1200. Normally published 3-6 times per week.
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