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Posts Tagged ‘Alcatraz’

Zen and The Art of Pedaling a Bicycle

May 17th, 2009
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Well, 7 days out. Will be six before many people read this.

Time to start the journal.

I’d like to get one thing out of the way right off the bat, and it may surprise a few of you, but I am not a cyclist.

In fact, I am not even much of a fitness buff, at all. I’ve never been to a gym, haven’t formerly exercised since High School, and before the Ride for Ron Paul, had never owned a road bike, nor pedaled more than a few miles in any one direction. So, though I’ve quite a bit of experience pedaling, now, I am still not a cyclist.

This surprises plenty of people I meet. Many think I just took something I enjoy and worked it into a political event. The truth of the matter is that I was watching too many people debating tactics/philosophy online and not enough posting evidence of taking those tactics to the street. So I decided to do something outrageous, so far outside of my “box” that even the most timid supporter might look and say, well if that Hawaiian guy can pedal a bike across the country for freedom, I can go knock on my neighbors door.

And it worked.

That remains the greatest satisfaction from the last ride. Not the thrill of finishing, not the celebrity it brought me, not even meeting and riding with Ron Paul. The greatest satisfaction I get from that ride is the testimony of people I meet, who tell me that the effort encouraged them to step out of their own box, and opened up a whole new world of effective activism to them. That is how I judge success. To me, there is little difference between approaching that first mountain range, and approaching their first door. Both are equally intimidating in the eyes of the beholder. Getting to the top of that first range, or walking away from that first door, is a watershed moment for most. When we realize that we CAN do this. With a little bit of courage, and a  LOT of determination we can do things we never dreamed. And that is how we will take back control of our government. Persistence, determination, and a little bit of courage. It may not be sexy, and may not even be much fun, but it certainly is satisfying at the end of the day. Knowing you did everything in your power to advance the cause of liberty and leave a better world than we were born into. Indeed, it truly is not, whether we win or lose, but how we play the game.

So, well wishers tell me how much fun I’ll be having. And yes, I will enjoy meeting all of you on the route, I will enjoy seeing the light turn on behind peoples eyes as I pitch the ideas of the r3VOLution to them, I will, also, enjoy some of the beautiful scenery this great country has to offer. I’m sure I will laugh and sing with new met friends, and that will be fun, but pedaling? No, sorry, that is not much fun at all. It is hot, dirty, and dangerous on the roads I’ll be traveling. It takes enormous concentration to watch ahead for pitfalls and tube shredders. The bike seat becomes harder with each passing mile, my knees start talking to me, and on long days they start yelling. No, I do not expect to have a ton of fun on this trip, but the satisfaction of hearing one person explain that the effort encouraged them to find such determination in themselves, that to me is priceless.

Now, back to the title of this post. What I do enjoy, while pedaling, is the chance to think, to meditate on all I’ve learned and experienced, and focus my mind on ways to further our cause. Pedaling is kind of mindless, it just takes a sharp eye, a good ear, and a steady pace. When my mind is free to ponder, not clouded by the online noise and incessant calls for help from all corners, I am better able to discern the culture of the area I am in and tailor my message to suit.  And by being out there, talking to people outside our circles, I know the circles grow.

And that is why I do it.

GO GRASSROOTS!!!

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Aloha and Welcome

May 7th, 2009
I’ve done it before, I’m doing it again, starting May 24th. Crossing America on a bicycle, sowing seeds of liberty, and putting faces on a r3VOLution that highlights love. Pure Grassroots! Strengthening networks, building rapport, growing the movement, one mile at a time.

…pedal, pedal 🙂

I’ve got a history of projects like this, and it is one thing I have a knack for; talking to the kind of folk you meet on the side of the road, getting them interested in some “real” change, and reporting on what I find.

Ron Paul Rider begins in Santa Monica, Oct. '07

Ron Paul Rider begins in Santa Monica, Oct. '07

Ron Paul Rides close to 10 miles with a grassroot

Ron Paul Rides close to 10 miles with a grassrooter

Completed with family and friends

Completed with family and friends

This time, in addition to casual encounters, and in response to the recent DHS Documents deeming peace-loving political activists as potential threats, I will be canvassing Sheriffs and Governors; presenting them with educational materials about our movement, providing background for sensible r3VOLutionary solutions to the problems we face as a nation. The packs will include: “The Revolution – A Manifesto”, by Congressman Ron Paul. “The County Sheriff – America’s last Hope”, by Sheriff Richard Mack. And a DVD of the speech, “The Powers of the Purse and Sword” by Dr. Edwin Vieira.

In doing so, I hope to build rapport and spark honest discussion, locally, about our great country’s apparent slide into some bizarre new form of fascism. To symbolize this, I am riding from The Statue of Liberty to Alcatraz; Freedom to Fascism. It is a grim goal to envision, a heavy topic to carry. But, must. be. done. As Dr. Ron Paul said, July 10, 2003 on the floor of Congress, “Let it not be said that no one cared, that no one objected once it’s realized that our liberties and wealth are in jeopardy.”

Awakening the drowsy, energizing the awake, those are things I’m good at. Navigating the road, and targeting a message, are things I have a wealth of experience in. Putting them together in this trip is a natural. Following the advice of Calvin Coolidge, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”, I’m pressing on.

Join me, in any way, and “Be a part of it”

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