Deliberations begin

Today was an incredible learning process. We started our day with some words from the Congress President Michael Badnarik and Robert Shulz. We also covered some more technical issues. Afterward we reconvened in the meeting hall and began the suprisingly long process of deciding on the rules of our Congress. We are using Robert's Rules of Order as our guide and to say that the process of familiarizing ourselves with Parliamentary procedure is a difficult task would be a gross understatement. Regardless we soldiered on and finally decided on our final set of rules...which personally, I'm glad we still have the ability (according to Robert's Rules) to call up and revise them. With that messy business completed we dove into the first of the, I'm sure to be seemingly endless, deliberations. A motion was brought forth by a delegate from New York to present Congress with a plan to create a "Council of Revision." This Council would be tasked with reviewing all bills to determine their Constitutionality. I am off the mind that the cure for beauracracy is most certainly not more bureaucracy. Finally presenting the delegation with an idea to sink their teeth into turned into quite the feeding frenzy as ideas began to flow from every direction...regardless of relevance. The first two hours of our deliberations I pray was only the release of pent up excitement and I shall wait patiently for reason to reign. After lunch we reconvened in the auditorium to listen to Mark Lane. Mr. Lane is an attorney who has also written many books, most notably pertaining to his work on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The first amendment was the focus and how it pertains to petitions that have been filed over the years by Mr. Shulz and the We the People Foundation. To fully understand the steps that have already been taken is essential to the success of this Congress. All options for a peaceful redress of grievances must be exhausted. My favorite line from Mr. Lanes talk was as follows, "10,000 assertions in the press does not necessarily contain 1 truthful statement." We had a final session of Congress in which we decided that proposed motions would first be sent through committee's to work out a more presentably product. We will have a better idea of how this works out tomorrow. I have some very deep concerns for this delegation as we proceed, but must remind myself that this is the first day of deliberation and that the life cycle of such events demands a day of reckoning much like the one we experienced. I would caution my fellow delegates to be passionate...but be cautious not to be overzealous. Be bold...but temper it with reason. Walk softly...before you find a big stick.