the 912 project, good or bad for liberty?

by Christopher Flynn — Monday, September 21, 2009

Glenn Beck used to support George Bush, he used to support the patriot act, he used to be a neocon, then he commented that "the scales are falling off my eyes." So he saw the light and now he's a libertarian republican right? I certainly can't fault people for changing their minds about things, so long as he doesn't change back but does he really get it?

On the front page of his site, there is the following image:

So the 9-12 project is supposed to bring us back to where we were on September 12, 2001? We were not obsessed with Red State, Blue States or political parties? Where was he? Sure there was some camaraderie and we helped one another out but the same thing happened during Katrina, the same thing happens whenever there is a tragedy. That camaraderie also brought us the patriot act. But let's look at his 12 values.

1. America is good
Sounds great but what does it mean? Is America good when it attacks innocent women and children, is America good when it disregards our founders own ethics and can declare someone an enemy combatant and hold them against their will without trying them for as long as they want? Or does he mean the American people are good? The politicians are corrupt and have been long before 9/11 and that is what is ruining our once great nation.

2. I believe in God and He is the Center of my Life.
This really isn't starting out well at all... being an atheist, I really can't get behind this. There have been a lot of horrible things done in God's name but I'll save the religious debate for later. I suspect he threw this in to get some support from the religious right, which is the group in my opinion that really destroyed the Republican party.

3. I must always try to be a more honest person than I was yesterday.
Sounds good but if I was completely honest yesterday, I can't be any more honest can I? I much prefer his quote from George Washington below it than his wording. I do strive to be honest so I can throw some partial support behind this one, I just don't like his wording.

4. The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government.
I thought religious types believed God was the ultimate authority? As a proud father of 2 children and a husband, I would do anything for my family, they most certainly come first but what are my wife and I supposed to be the ultimate authority of? Other people? Ourselves? Again with the vagueness, is he supporting anarchy? Was he drunk when he wrote these things?

5. If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
Hey I think I found one I don't have any major beef with. Of course will need to define what the laws are because as Thomas Jefferson so eloquently put "If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so."

6. I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
Is that last part really necessary? The first part really doesn't say you have the right of happiness and everyone defines happiness in their own way. Again, bad wording. Of course I do agree with the fact that we have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (though he left out the word 'the').

7. I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
This is rather redundant. If I have a right to my life and liberty, the government cannot tax me unless is was voluntary. Seems obvious to me but I guess some people need extra assurances.

8. It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or to share my personal opinion.
Ok, I'll agree with this one.

9. The government works for me. I do not answer to them, they answer to me.
Well, yes, the government get's it power from the people however it seems the people have delegated their power to the government.

Gee, I wish there was a document of sorts that would say all the good parts above and then some. Maybe even a piece of paper that would define what roles the government has, a constitution of sorts. His 9-12 project sounds ok (minus my issues with it above) but what does it really do besides make people feel like they are doing something without actually doing anything?

He also found out how bad Bush was after he was a lame duck president and the republicans had a bad reputation. Is he just trying to join in with the popular momentum that Ron Paul has or does he really get it? Only time will tell. I personally can't watch his show because he's a bit over dramatic. I'm also sick of hearing about the 9-12 movement... If you really want to get involved, check out Campaign for Liberty. They have a mission statement: Our mission is to promote and defend the great American principles of individual liberty, constitutional government, sound money, free markets, and a noninterventionist foreign policy, by means of educational and political activity. As well as a statement of principles. There is also a lot of good information for those who want to learn more.