Liberty is rising in America

"Liberty is rising in America" is what they told us.

Upset because they might be called Neo-Confederates or worse, racists, and concerned their nullification theories were being bashed by mainstream media, Liberty advocates of North Idaho gathered on a Saturday morning several weeks ago to reassure themselves that times were good. In a free session, open to the public, visiting former news celebrity turned "Liberty" activist Ben Swann praised Washington State Representative Matt Shea. There was no doubt that Shea was a darling of the Liberty crowd. When former Idaho State Representative Phil Hart stepped out of the room momentarily, the speaker wondered where he was. The question also arose as to the whereabouts of Representative Vito Barbieri. Clearly both men were considered valuable to the program. When he returned, Phil Hart was referred to as Senator Hart, a mistake quickly corrected by Phil Hart himself, as he took the podium to announce a breakout session where he would discuss his controversial book on taxes.

"Growth is taking place in the Liberty Movement," a speaker said. In spite of the fact that we are ruled by a fascist government, "Liberty is rising in America" they said. But, there was also a somber warning, "We are in a war." Their literature proclaimed themselves to be "The Conscience of the Republican Party." Yet, on their web page their position on abortion was indecisive. Encouraging them to expand their base, one speaker suggested they could even have allies within the Occupy Movement if their message was structured correctly. The strength of the Liberty Movement is with coalitions, participants were told.

The number of people in attendance increased as the morning progressed, from 39 to 41 to 50. In their small partitioned conference room located down a long hallway at the Coeur d'Alene Inn, there were 11 round tables each with a capacity of eight people, plus a long table for speakers. These were the feared shock troops of the Ron Paul movement which had brought traditional members of numerous Idaho Republican Central Committees to their knees. For an organization which prides itself on appealing to a broad spectrum, the group appeared rather homogenous and diminutive. No big tent there. These are the people who dominate the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee today.

Duane Rasmussen is a Coeur d'Alene resident.