A couple more observations from the ‘Defending the American Dream’ Summit…
The positives…
The venue is fantastic. Lots of space, nice ballrooms, and access to an underground tunnel that leads to an underground mall. There’s also an attached Metro Station right there. It makes it very easy to get around. Also glad I can go to the RiteAid in the mall and buy soda and snacks without having to spend $100 at the hotel gift shop or at a vending machine or something.
This crowd is largely activists and bloggers. Far less pretentious than the crowds of elected officials and bigwigs at the Republican National Convention last month. There are also not nearly as many “schmoozers” here as there were at the RNC. People are trading business cards and networking heavily, but it’s all very friendly and low key.
The negatives…
Getting reliable wifi access has been a big pain in the neck. I’ve checked out bloggers row, but it’s not overwhelming. And there’s a bit of disorganization. I missed the last bus to the Capitol Hill rally this afternoon because I, and others, were told the wrong time. Apparently the final bus left at 2pm, but some were told that the last one left at 2:30. There’s also a sign in the lobby that says “meet here for the rally at 1pm” and another sign that says busses will be running between the hotel and Capitol Hill from 1:30 and 4pm… without making it clear when the final bus left the hotel. But oh well… I’ve seen rallies before and I’ve been to the Capitol before. Some of the other bloggers I ran into were kinda pissed off though, and that’s not great.
UPDATE: I caught a late ride to the Capitol to see the tail-end of the rally. It was about what I expected, but there was a pretty impressively large crowd. I guess I didn’t expect that many folks to show uo. For some photos, check out SavetheGOP.com.
Will be very interesting to see if we get some bigger media entities to show up tonight and tomorrow, when we get the major speakers. I’m most excited to hear from David Koch, the billionaire and former Vice-Presidential candidate.
The crowd, so far, seemed to be a 50/50 mixture of registered and card-carrying Libertarians as well as free-market conservatives and Republicans.
“forced to pay for at gunpointâ€
LOL, omg, *wipes tears of laughter away*
So, taxation is not backed up by the threat of force?
Tax resisters can eventually be ordered to prison (see: Ed and Elaine Brown), and if they refuse to comply, they will be rounded up.
If they resist, they can be shot.
Hence, yes, taxation is at gunpoint, although the gun is not usually immediately present.
Deran, are you an honest statist or a dishonest one? An honest statist knows that State spending comes from coercive taxation backed up by guns, and that anyone who ceases to pay meets the consequences; the honest statists just don’t care. The dishonest statists are the ones who lie, often to themselves as well, claiming that taxation is somehow voluntary.
Which is it?
Deran – Yes, mock the truth. Try not paying.
“forced to pay for at gunpoint”
LOL, omg, *wipes tears of laughter away* I am so glad you’ve found the time to keep up your libertarian capitalist bolshevik comments, G.E. I feel better.
There’s nothing wrong with using something you’re forced to pay for at gunpoint, Ross.
If you use public transportation, you will be banned from this website, regardless of ownership.