All posts by Ron Noyes

Ron Noyes is a musician, writer, team member of Ben Swann's "Truth In Media Project" and political consultant with fanconx.com. Noyes was a 2012 national delegate for Ron Paul and performed with John Popper of Blues Traveler at Paul's "We Are The Future" rally.
Election, Featured, Politics, US

Breaking: Rand Paul Wins RLC Convention Straw Poll

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Rand Paul has won the 2015 RLC Straw Poll held at the RLC National Convention spanning the weekend of October 8th-11th in Nashua, New Hampshire. The sold out event, with 750 attendees, saw an active presence from multiple campaigns.

Paul garnered 445 votes compared to his nearest competitor Ted Cruz with 399 votes followed by Ben Carson (139), Carly Fiorina (79), Marco Rubio (75), Donald Trump (54) and Bobby Jindal (51).

RLC Chair Matt Nye had this to say about the straw poll results: “This outcome is not surprising, Rand has topped our polls for some time and enjoys some of the support of his father’s activists. Cruz’s strong showing must come as good news to his camp. It’s a great time to be part of the liberty Republican movement. In the past we’ve had only one candidate to choose from, and this cycle we have two solid liberty candidates, both of whom are committed to defending liberty and the constitution.”

National Advisor to Rand Paul, Mike Biundo, put the win in these terms: “This is a great victory for the Paul campaign. A liberty straw poll win like this requires both the strength of the candidate’s message and the candidate’s strength of the ground game. We are very happy to have both.”

For more on the RLC National Convention:
https://rlc.org/civicrm/event/info

UPDATE:
To see how “Approval Voting” facilitates vote totals being greater than physical attendance:
http://www.electology.org/#!IVN-Shows-Why-Approval-Polls-Matter/c17jj/560bfd780cf2a7bb74bf550e

Editor’s Pick, Featured, Government Accountability, Police Accountability

Baltimore Exclusive: Detained Journalist and Eyewitness Give Firsthand Account

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The back story:

Ford Fischer is the executive producer of News2share, co-founded with eyewitness Trey Yingst. The pair traveled to Baltimore to cover protests and riots in the aftermath of Freddie Gray’s death while in custody of six Baltimore police officers.

At 10:08pm on May 2nd, Fischer began shooting footage of officers clearing Baltimore’s streets after curfew. Shortly after, one officer confronted Fischer, who had his press credentials in full view. Approaching officers demanded Fischer “back up” and “give it a rest.” Upon recognizing his credentials, one officer stated “He is credentialed media.” Approaching from behind, another officer brought Fischer to the ground, stating “I don’t care, he’s not going to…” The audio drops off while Fischer’s camera was shut down to the journalist being taken down on concrete. Fischer was handcuffed and told he was violating curfew.

Trey Yingst then began filming. Asking what charges Fischer was facing, Yingst was twice told it was a curfew violation, despite Fisher’s right to cover the scenes as credentialed media.

Upon realizing credentialed media are exempt from curfew violations, the officers quickly change their charge to disorderly conduct carrying a $500 fine and a potential upcoming trial.

Fischer and Yingst spoke with Truth In Media to give a full account of the night. Fischer, from a legal standpoint, cannot at this time provide his full opinion due to the coming court date. What initially began as a casual phone conversation resulted an agreement to record both Fischer and Yingst’s firsthand account:

https://soundcloud.com/ron-noyes/baltimore/

Videos from Baltimore courtesy News2share:

Protesters March for Freddie Gray

Published on Apr 24, 2015
Police in Baltimore are accused of killing a 25-year-old following an arrest earlier this week. The man, Freddie Gray, died shortly after being taken into custody from a severed spine. Kevin Davis, the deputy police commissioner, said Friday that Gray should have received medical attention at the spot of his arrest. Video shows Gray screaming for help as officers carried him to the van. Today protesters assembled in Baltimore to voice their opinions and call for the arrest of the officers involved. While there were less than 100 protesters in this gathering, they were able to disrupt and shut down several Baltimore highways. Thousands are expected to show up on Saturday. Follow us on twitter @news_2_share for the latest from the protests schedule for Saturday.

Baltimore Rioters Destroy Public Property, Loot Businesses

Published on Apr 25, 2015

See scenes from last night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVdRv…
Following what originated as a large but mostly peaceful protest over the death of Freddie Gray, dozens of protesters continued on a separate riot. They used bricks from the ground as well as other heavy objects such as benches to break through glass buildings. In some cases, they simply wanted to cause damage to cars and other objects; in others, they entered and stole items ranging from phones to soda and chips.Victims in the video included a McDonalds and a 7-Eleven.

Baltimore Protest Turns Violent

Published on Apr 25, 2015
Protest of the death of Freddie Gray turns violent. When the demonstration took to the streets, the violence escalates. A running mob looking for trouble finds it eventually.

Baltimore Residents Rob Liquor Store, Taunt Police

Published on Apr 28, 2015
Following a massive riot over the death of Freddie Grey, protesters set cars on fire in the streets of Baltimore. The protesters can be seen ducking down upon hearing what may be gunfire. One drives a car through a fire and directly towards police before making a U-turn. Trey Yingst also captures an exclusive closeup and indoor look at the looters of a Baltimore liquor store.

Baltimore Police Fire Smoke Grenades, Protesters Throw Fireworks

Published on Apr 28, 2015
After a long weekend of unrest in the city of Baltimore, the National Guard has been deployed to help restore order. Tonight a small clash between police and protesters was caught on camera just after the 10 o’clock curfew that the city set for residents. Things used in riot control included, tear gas, pepper balls, paint balls, and other non-lethal items.

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Civil Liberties, Election, Featured, Politics, US

Rand Sounds Off On Indefinite Detention- Next POTUS Must Support the Entire Bill of Rights

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Kentucky Senator and possible presidential candidate Rand Paul met potential voters at Fulchino Vineyard in Hollis, New Hampshire on Saturday, March 21st. Republican New Hampshire State Senator Kevin Avard, a Paul supporter, emceed the event that attracted over 100 “First in the Nation” primary voters.

The potential GOP field seeking the party’s nomination is expected to be wide. With Chris Christie, Ted Cruz and Lindsey Graham making recent visits to the state, Paul presented his case with what he says sets his campaign apart from others: a strict adherence to the entire Bill of Rights. Paul stated that, as a group, elected GOP lawmakers support the 2nd amendment but that wasn’t enough.

“But you want to defend the whole Bill of Rights. You can’t defend the 2nd amendment if you don’t support the 1st amendment. You can’t defend the 2nd amendment if you don’t defend the 4th amendment,” Paul said.

Regarding the 4th amendment, Paul turned to the National Defense Authorization Act’s “Indefinite Detention” clause found in section 1021 which reads:

c) …. The disposition of a person under the law of war… may include the following:
(1) Detention under the law of war without trial until the end of the hostilities authorized by the Authorization for Use of Military Force…

Paul said: “We now have a law on our books called ‘Indefinite Detention.’ An American citizen can be detained without a trial… You want to know what the President said? He said ‘I’m signing this, I’m troubled by this, but I’m signing this but look at me, I’m a good man and will never use this.’ We won’t get into the discussion of whether that is true or not but the thing is laws are not about one individual, but who comes after them.”

When asked for comment, PANDA (People Against National Defense Authorization Act) Jason Casella  had this to say about Paul’s remarks: “Though it’s excellent to see the Indefinite detention provisions and laws of war now contained in the NDAA are finally a topic of discussion for presidential hopefuls, the rest of the country has been taking action for years. It remains to be seen if the discussion moves to action in the 2016 races, but time and again it has been proven that if the people of America want their rights protected, it will be the people themselves to do it.”

Some of Senator Paul’s potential primary opponents have also weighed in on the NDAA:

Ted Cruz (S-TX), also a vocal opponent of the provision, stated this in his reasoning for voting against the 2014 NDAA:

“I voted against the National Defense Authorization Act. I am deeply concerned that Congress still has not prohibited President Obama’s ability to indefinitely detain U.S. citizens arrested on American soil without trial or due process.”

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on U.S. citizens suspected of having ties with Al Qaeda under NDAA section 1021 guidelines: “And when they say, ‘I want my lawyer,’ you tell them: ‘Shut up. You don’t get a lawyer.” (Source)

NH State Senator Kevin Avard had this to say about Senator Paul’s presentation:

“We need to be the party that defends not only the 2nd amendment but the 1st and 4th and 5th, meaning all the Bill of Rights and reach out to all groups in our society. National defense is the highest priority but so also is our national debt which is as much a part of our security.”

The most recent poll (NBC News/Marist) taken in New Hampshire has Senator Paul in 3rd place at 14% behind current Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker at 15% and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush at 18%.

While the Senator has libertarian leaning roots, some in the Libertarian Party are split on Paul’s GOP candidacy. According to The Daily Beast, Nevada LP Chair Brett H. Pojunis stated that “‘Libertarian’ is now just a buzzword for Republicans like the Kentucky Senator. If Senator Paul was a libertarian: Well, OK then—join the Libertarian Party!”

With many undecided voters lingering in the Granite State, Paul’s presentation made this impression on NH resident Keith DeSantis:

“Senator Rand Paul emphasized not only the importance of the Bill of Rights, but why the Bill of Rights are important. His platform is focused on defending the entire Bill of Rights, instead of a single right or issue. It’s the message I think that appeals to a lot of people on both sides of the political spectrum.”

Featured, Government Accountability, Politics, US

Exclusive Audio: As POTUS, Sen. Graham Vows U.S. Military Force Against Non-Compliant Congress

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Among the crowded field of potential Presidential candidates vying for the GOP’s nomination, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is the latest to stump in New Hampshire.

While visiting the Concord City Republican Committee on March 7th at the “Politics and Pies” forum, the 59-year-old Senator asserted that American ground troops would be necessary to defeat ISIS. In addition, he advocated for the reversal of defense spending cuts and, as President of the United States, Graham would restrict the movement of lawmakers until those cuts are reversed.

Exclusive audio here:

In a chilling statement, Graham said he would not allow Congress to leave D.C. until his demands are met, declaring he would use United States military force to keep them there.

“…and here is the first thing I would do if I were President of the United States, I wouldn’t let Congress leave town until we fix this. I would literally use the military to keep them in if I had to.”

New Hampshire GOP leaders were unable to speak on behalf of the candidate.

Graham’s South Carolina U.S. Senate primary opponent, State Senator Lee Bright, had this to say:

“If Graham is not being serious he should choose his words with more thought. If he is being serious those actions would be a threat to the republic.”

Graham’s office responded to a clarification inquiry with:

“Due to the large volume of mail I receive, I regret that I am only able to respond personally to inquiries from South Carolinians.”

 

Follow up: Were Lindsey Graham’s Military Remarks Intended To Be Humorous?

Opinion

Free College: Honest Proposal or PR Move to Marginalize the Liberty Movement?

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At quick glance, much of the American public erupted with accolades over the gift of free college, while others voiced swift protest.  Proposed on Friday, January 9th, the Obama administration announced an $80 billion dollar program to provide “free” tuition for United States students to attend community college.

While 25% of these funds would be required for individual states to fund over 10 years and Forbes figures pointing to a monumental 538% increase in the cost of higher education since 1985,  we could crunch numbers and debate figures until the Oakland Raiders win a Super Bowl.

The big question here is not if this proposal is “good” or “bad,” not what the final costs will be and certainly not if education is important  (all these and other side notes will dominate the narrative).

The real question that needs to be asked is:  “Does Obama truly think this will pass, and if not, what does he, his administration, and their party gain by its proposal?”

The answer might shed light on nothing more than a massive PR campaign that is three-fold:  Bolster the story of a benevolent yet marked man who couldn’t possibly get good things passed due to obstructionist conservatives, place pressure on “moderate conservatives” to support the initiative for fear of losing power, and most important, paint Liberty Movement representatives as the most egregious bunch this country has ever seen.

Think about how this could possibly play out.  At face value, the administration doesn’t have the numbers.  After the 2014 election, the Senate tips 54-44 to the Republican Party, the House tips 246-188 with the same leaning.  By quick measure, this proposal would most likely be DOA.

However, this is a win-win scenario for the administration on every front.  While many potentials exist, we can break it down in two ways; it passes or it fails.  Either way, this is a brilliant piece of PR.

The spin:

THE PROPOSAL PASSES:

Victory for the little guy

Moderate conservatives are now seeing it our way, they finally saw the light

We must move forward, this is only the beginning

 

THE PROPOSAL FAILS:

Some sensible conservatives were with us, now let’s name names of those who were not

2016 mainstream media bait  (picture the messaging)

Liberty Movement Representatives

  • are out of touch
  • do not support education
  • are against the poor
  • will obstruct good intention at all cost
  • are controlled by lobbyists
  • want anything but what is good for our children
  • are nothing more than radicals bent on destroying opportunity for those who need it most
  • (we could fill pages)

Is this a set up with victory assured regardless of the outcome?  Who has most to gain?

While the United States borrows 46 cents on every dollar spent and is burdened with a national debt surpassing $18 trillion dollars, we are needless to say, tight on cash.  Truth be told, that does not matter.  Free market solutions do not matter.  The fact that nothing is “free” will not matter either.  What will matter is perception and political opportunity, especially at the cost of the Liberty Movement.   Win and you win, lose and you win by default by spinning a manufactured crisis.

“You never let a serious crisis go to waste. And what I mean by that it’s an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”

Rahm Emanuel