Written by Woodrow Wilson

 (Columbia University Press, New York, 1908)

A Glimpse into the Progressive Mindset from the Beginning of the 20^th Century

Woodrow Wilson, a leader in the Progressive Era at the beginning of the 20th century who served as President of Princeton University and then as Governor of New Jersey and proposed the League of Nations, was incredibly candid in his writing in Constitutional Government in the United States.  This relatively easy-to-read book reveals the viewpoints of this stellar progressive who was to become the 28th President of the United States.  Not surprisingly, Wilson was critical of the founding fathers as well as the Constitution, which he felt hampered and limited the role of the President.  In this book, Wilson articulated his views on: 

• The President of the United States
• The House of Representatives
• The Senate
• The Courts
• The States and the Federal Government
• and more….

If time is a barrier to reading the book, opt for reading just Chapter III, “The President of the United States.”  In this Chapter, Wilson addresses restrictions that he felt were inflicted on the President by the federal government’s system of checks-and-balances; he felt that no government could be successfully conducted upon such a theory.   Wilson wrote that leadership and control must be lodged somewhere and maintained that leadership, control, and very absolute power should rest in the Presidency.

<<<CLICK HERE>>> to purchase this book from Amazon.com.

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Little House in the Big Woods

Written by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder was born February 7, 1867, in a log cabin on the edge of a forest near Pepin, Wisconsin.  She lived the delightfully adventurous childhood she describes in her “Little House” books — traveling by covered wagon through Kansas and Minnesota until her family established a permanent homestead near De Smet in Dakota Territory. 

Little House in the Big Woods is one of nine books in the Little House series which the San Francisco Chronicle once called “The finest firsthand picture of American pioneer life ever written for children.” 

Short selections from Little House in the Big Woods read by mom or dad before bedtime would be a marvelous way to end the day and would be certain to fashion bushels of lasting, childhood memories.

{This book would be a delightful addition to family libraries and is available for under $2.00 (Used) on popular internet sites.  <<<CLICK HERE>>> to purchase this book from Amazon.com.}

There is plenty of open room for interested members to participate, and all 9/12′ers who would like to attend are welcome to do so!!  Meetings will involve group study of the book The 5,000 Year Leap as well as time for information sharing and discussion.

If you are interested in attending this group, please email us at info@centralillinois912project.com for location information.

Many thanks to Joe for his hard work and dedication to the 9/12 Project!

The Morgan County Historical Society produces the annual Chautauqua filled with historical re-enactments, storytelling, lectures, music, and dance. Each year, some 2,000 spectators enjoy the Chautauqua’s education, entertainment, food, and fellowship. Each year, the number of vistors from beyond Morgan County has increased. The theme of this year’s Prairieland Chautauqua will is “American Originals.” The four-day event will again be staged under the big tent in Jacksonville’s Community Park from Friday, September 3, to Monday, September 6th, 2010.

That same website has provided the schedule for tomorrow’s program:

Sunday, September 5:
4pm: Music
5pm: Johnny Appleseed (1774-1845), American nurseryman, portrayed by Hank Fincken of Indianapolis, Indiana
6pm: Supper
7pm: Music
8pm: Thomas Jefferson (1734-1820), President of the United States, portrayed by Patrick Lee of Ashland, Missouri

Members of the Central Illinois 9/12 Project may be particularly interested in seeing the portrayal of President Jefferson.

Here is a video of Mr. Patrick Lee, who will be portraying Thomas Jefferson during tomorrow’s program:

<<<CLICK HERE>>> for more information about tomorrow’s event.  If you have additional questions, you may contact Dr. Wolf D. Fuhrig (Illinois Prairieland Chautauqua Director) at  WDFuhrig@aol.com.

There is plenty of open room for interested members to participate, and all 9/12′ers who would like to attend are welcome to do so!!  Meetings will involve group study of the book The 5,000 Year Leap as well as time for information sharing and discussion.

If you are interested in attending this group, please email us at info@centralillinois912project.com for location information.

Many thanks to Katy for her hard work and commitment to the 9/12 Project!

It seems that lately there has been quite a bit of talk about Social Justice in the media and from our federal government. 

Glenn Beck too has discussed this issue several times on his television and radio programs. He has explained that if “social justice” is defined as charitable outreach to the poor then it most certainly is a good thing. He has also spoken about Father Charles Coughlin, who in the 1930s began his “National Union for Social Justice” and his publication Social Justice Weekly. Coughlin was an anti-Semitic radio broadcaster who used the banner of social justice to attack capitalism.  He was also a noted fan of the Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.

With that, let’s explore how progressives define and seek to implement social justice -- and whether it is or isn’t compatible with authentic Biblical teaching.

In an article entitled “Glenn Beck and the Buzz about Social Justice” in The Foundry (in March of this year), writer Ryan Messmore states that various Christian commentators have responded that social justice is a central theme in many Protestant and Catholic churches. A concern for the poor and justice in society, they argue, aligns with the teachings of Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. 

For an example of those Biblical  teachings, we might look at Mark 12:28-31 (NIV), which states,

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’  The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  There is no commandment greater than these.”

In Luke 14:12-14, we read, “Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors…Invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed…’” 

All throughout the Bible we find verses expressing the idea that those in the church need to take care of each other and love one another. However, there is no place in the Bible where we read that we are to depend on the government to take care of our neighbor; and nowhere in the Bible does it say to give our money and possessions to the government so the government can then take care of the poor, the sick and the needy. In fact, according to the Bible, it’s the members of the church who are responsible for such things.  

Indeed, we are now finding out that the progressive left is embracing faith-based solutions to help it execute its agenda. Senator John Kerry (Massachusetts) talked in May about “faith-based community support” for his proposed American Power Act (i.e., “Cap and Trade”) legislation.  Indeed, you can now go to the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Programs website to read about current climate and environmental justice initiatives (as well as a variety of other campaigns) being undertaken within the faith-based community.  For example, according to that website, “57 state and regional faith based organizations representing 35 states across the US [spoke] out about the need for just and effective climate legislation to preserve God’s Creation and protect vulnerable communities” via a letter that was sent to the U.S. Senate, encouraging senators to address the “moral challenge” presented by the global climate crisis.  You may read the letter in its entirety <<<here>>>.

On the subject of immigration reform, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed to the Catholic community earlier this year, stating that churches must and will play a major role in helping to pass this legislation and that leaders within the church should tell parishioners who oppose immigration reform that “this is a manifestation of our living the Gospels.”

The question should be asked, then, when — if ever — have we ever heard progressives talk about faith and the church except when talking about separation of church and state? 

You may remember that I recently addressed a closely-related subject in an article entitled “Faith, Social Justice, and the EPA” that was posted on the Central Illinois 9/12 Project website in June.  You will recall from that article:

According to a recent article found at WeeklyStandard.com, the U.S. government is now working to create a “partnership” between our government and religious institutions as “a means of spreading the administration’s environmental warnings rather than just a way to help churches feed the hungry and clothe the poor.”  But from where could such a partnership possibly arise?  The answer: the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.  This council recently briefed senior administration officials about its most recent report, entitled “A New Era of Partnerships,” which notes that faith-based organizations can take “a prominent leadership role in influencing policy, education, and action” in certain “priority” areas.

More specifically, the report (which you can <<<READ HERE>>>) states this:

Over the last 10 to 15 years, leaders in the political, environmental, scientific, and economic fields have recognized that environment and climate change will require cooperation across disciplines, and that the solutions are not only technical but also connect to our morality and values of America.  The importance of engaging with religious organizations in addressing climate change and environmental concerns has become even clearer — as has the importance of faith-based organizations taking a prominent leadership role in influencing policy, education, and action in those areas….  This is a moment of great opportunity to engage the nonprofit sector in building a green economy that benefits all.

In the Bible in Acts 2:44-45, we read about the early church: “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” They gave to those in need, yes, but they were not forced to do this.  It was their choice. 

Those pushing through this so-called, faith-based agenda are twisting the gospel, and it seems they may be doing so with an ulterior motive. It would seem that the ultimate goal of implementing social and environmental justice is to ”fundamentally transform” America.  In a nutshell, the environmental and social justice agendas are merely using God, rather than promoting or exhalting Him as the Solution. 

The Heritage Foundation has a different view of government’s role in meeting people’s needs: the government protects what civil society provides. In their new resource called, “Seek Social Justice: Transforming Lives in Need,” this perspective is explained. The accompanying DVD small group study guide, “articulates a framework for understanding the roots of human need and social breakdown and what to do about them. Effective assistance tends to come not from the federal government but from those closest to the problem.” The guide’s third lesson talks about the role of congregations and faith-based groups, stating “the White House should ask what it can do to protect their capacity to serve, not the other way around.” 

You can see more details and get information on ordering these Heritage Foundation materials at the website www.seeksocialjustice.com.  (Please note that you can click on the chapter titles at the top of this web page to view, download and/or print each of the lesson study guides.)  Those who are interested in using this resource in a small group setting may order it (free of charge) by filling out an order form on the Heritage Foundation website.  <<<CLICK HERE>>> to order this free resource.  

There are still other worthwhile alternatives available for those willing to explore the resources their faith institutions provide that are in harmony with authentic social justice. For example, for those who are Christians, another good resource, especially for getting the entire family involved in volunteerism and serving others is Focus on the Family. This Christian organization, founded by Dr. James Dobson, supports the family through many different programs. By clicking on “Parenting” at the top of the homepage and then “Spiritual Growth for Kids,” you’ll find ideas for getting your entire family involved in serving others.  <<<CLICK HERE>>> for a direct link to this information.

If you have other ideas or suggestions about how you as an individual or as a member of your family can help others in a manner that reflects the Biblical mandate to serve, please feel free to post that information as a comment to this article.

This past Friday morning, we posted the text of an email written by Susan Mowbray, a CI912P member who was in Washington D.C. and looking forward to attending the 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally on the following day.  She wrote a second email on Sunday which provides an update and information about the rally itself.  (We would have posted it sooner, but many of us have been in DC ourselves and are just getting back home!)  Here is her perspective regarding the day’s events:

It is 10:52 a.m. Sunday morning.  I awoke to the smell of bacon and thought am I dreaming??  The more I laid there in bed, the more I realized I wasn’t dreaming and that either Martha or Joe were up and preparing breakfast.
 
I have now eaten, have read my E-Mails, and so I sit down at the computer to catch you up on what has happened since Friday afternoon.  I left off where we were preparing to pack for the Lincoln Center and later that night for the camp out on the mall.
 
We left the house around 3:30 p.m. and got caught in rush hour traffic.  Can’t imagine what it would be like to face this traffic twice a day to go to work.  I will never complain about Springfield traffic ever again!!  We parked at the Vienna Metro Station and got onto the Metro and arrived at Foggy Bottom around 4:45 p.m.  We saw others arriving bound for the Lincoln Center.  We took the Lincoln Center shuttle after missing one, and having to wait for another since the second one was full.  After arriving at the Lincoln Center at 5:15, we went inside and sat down to watch people.  People watching can be fascinating and fun.  We had a few people come over and we talked.  Some asked if we had extra tickets, and we said yes, but that they were already spoken for.  One couple, Tammy and Joe, were looking for tickets, and I stated that if Jim and Brenda didn’t show up for the tickets we had for them, that we would give them the tickets, but that they would be better off to continue looking for tickets, as I was sure Jim and Brenda would want the ones we had for them.  Martha and I prayed with Tammy and Joe that they would be able to find tickets, that God would be able to provide them for Tammy & Joe.  They thanked us and left looking for tickets.  Since it was almost 6:00 p.m., I left to go to the place where I told Jim and Brenda to meet us so I could give them their tickets.  As I was walking out of the Kennedy Center a woman asked me if I had signed a Thank You card for Glenn Beck.  I hadn’t, so I did.  She then asked me if I would help in getting others to sign the card.  I told her I was going to the other end of the building to meet a couple to give them tickets and that I would be glad to have Thank You cards and to have people sign them.  So for 45 minutes that is what I did.  Got both cards full of signatures, had fun talking with others and finding out where they were from.  Finally I saw Brenda at the designated meet up point, and gave her their tickets.  She gave me a copy of Glenn Beck’s Common Sense and two buttons – one for the 8/28 gathering and another for the 9/12 gathering as a thank you;  Martha and I were just happy to help them get tickets, and no thank you was necessary.  We returned to the other end of the of the Kennedy Center and rejoined Martha.  That is when I found out that Tammy and Joe had obtained tickets 5 minutes after we had prayed for them to find tickets!!  Praise the Lord, He answers prayers.  Tammy & Joe both returned later to thank me for the prayer we said and to let us know that they now had tickets!!  God is great, and Faithful!! 
 
We continued to talk with others and then at 7:00 p.m. we lined up to go into the Concert Hall for Glenn Beck’s 8/27 gathering.  When we finally were seated, we were front row, middle seats!!!  We were 2 feet from the stage!!  We sat down and conversed with those sitting near us as we had done the day before in the ticket line.
 
Glenn had two groups of singers (2 choirs) that started out about 7:30 pm singing plus 4 women who danced interprative dance.  Glenn Beck came out on stage and was joined by David Barton.  Glenn Beck introduced Congressman Randy Forbes who heads the Congressional Prayer Caucus – a group of Republicans, Democrats and Independents – who pray for the country, asking God to heal our land.  Congressman Forbes talked about what the Congressional Prayer Caucus has done, and what it will continue to do.
 
Rabbi David Lappin was the next person introduced.  Since it was the Jewish Sabbath, Rabbi Lappin spoke without using amplification so he could be honoring the Sabbath.  He wished us Sabbath Peace and we did so in return – according to Rabbi Lappin, that was a first, 2500 Gentiles wishing a Jewish Rabbi Sabbath Peace!!  Rabbi Lappin talked about a flower being severed from its roots – soon dies and smells.  He stated that we have been severed from our roots and we are dying and starting to smell.  Rabbi Lappin talked about 1).  Marriage – It doesn’t evolve.  Genesis 1 & 2 is God’s manual for marriage.  2).  Money – Creation of wealth – you give to charity from the creation of your own wealth, so earn more money so you will have more to give away.  3).  Manners.  Genesis teaches us that we are not like the animals.  We are a uniques species, touched by the finger of God.  That means we behave ourselves;  we don’t do things animals do.  We care for the strangers among us.  These ideas are part of our roots, but secularism is trying to sever us from these roots.  We must do these 3 things:  1).  More Bible study – it brings inspiration, courage and unity.  2).  Make a little more money.  The way we make more money is by pleasing another human being – your boss, your customer, your client – by doing something that they value.  3).  Prayer.  Pray for the U.S. today and every day.  By doing these things, we are restoring America to its roots, with determination to triumph.
 
Glenn & David continued to talk, sitting down at a table.  They spoke of many things, then Glenn would introduce another speaker.  One such speaker was Rev. Don King.  He talked about God who responds to the cries of his people.  (John 14.12).  Rev. King talked about hypocrites – people who believed one thing, but did another.  Rev. King encouraged us to get out of our Churches (i.e. the circle the wagons mentality), out of our comfort zones and get involved in our communities – bring the church to the community to change where and how we live. 
 
Chuck Norris and his wife were introduced.  Chuck Norris read parts of George Washington’s first inaugeral address and the 1796 Farewell address and talked about and read Samuel Adams 8/1776 speech.  (Sorry, but I was getting very tired, and had taken a few pain pills because of the pain in my knees and feet, so I wasn’t able to get everything down, and what I did get down, I didn’t get it down completely, so my notes leave a lot to be desired – hopefully, you were able to watch the 8/27 7:00 p.m. meeting on Insider Extreme.  If not, join it, and then watch the show). 
 
Next was Gloria Copeland.  She read 2nd Chronicles 7:14.  She talked about prayer and revival.  This nation is in need of revival, it is in revival – pray for it, take it and stay until it comes to pass.  We take the victory when we pray.  Heb 1:11-17.
 
David Barton – People don’t quit when bad things happen.  You don’t stop just because bad things/bad circumstances happen.
 
David Riever then was introduced.  Psalm 84:5-6.  You can’t think it out – your brain can not grasp the power of God.  Your heart can.  The highway to heaven comes through the valley of weeping.  David talked a little about who he was (Navy Vietnam veteran badly wounded) and a Christian.  David shared many things.  The last thing I wrote down – David was talking about being in the hospital being treated for his wounds (a phospherous grenade had exploded just as he threw it, causing him to loose one eye and ear and he was badly burned on his face, neck and body.  While in the hospital, daily he had to go to the tank where he would soak and his burned flesh would be peeled off (debrieded), so he could heal.  This was a daily occurrence, and was an excrutiating experience.  He hurt when he was taken off his bed to the gurney, off the gurney into the debriedement pool, and again as he was taken out of the pool, back on the gurney and finally into his bed.  One day, this huge black man by the name of Rosie (the name was tattooed on his arm) gently carried him to the pool and back to his bed.  David never saw him after this, and when he asked when Rosie would be back, the staff didn’t know because they didn’t know Rosie.  They had never seen him before and never saw him after this time David saw him.  He came when David came, and left when David left.  David said if Rosie was an angel, he was on assignment, but if he was a man, he was on a mission.  We, as people, are to be on a mission – a mission for God.  Be obedient to what God is calling you to do.
 
Then Rev. John Hagee gave the final prayer. 
 
I felt as if I had been to an old time tent revival meeting.  Martha and I were pumped.  We couldn’t wait for tomorrow and what would happen at the Lincoln Memorial.
 
We left the Kennedy Center, having to wait a long time for a shuttle bus back to Foggy Botton Station.  Then the ride back to the Vienna Metro Station where we met up with Joe (who had gone to a Cardinals vs Nationals game).  In his vehicle, we changed clothes, then got our stuff for the night stay at the Lincoln Memorial.  Back into the Vienna Metro Station, where we met others who were heading to the Lincoln Memorial where all of us would spend the night.  We got to the Foggy Bottom Station around 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.  We got a cab who delivered us near the Lincoln Memorial.  We walked from there to the right hand side of the Lincoln Memorial (as you face the memorial) and started looking for the Central IL 9/12 group who were near the sidewalk on the right hand side of the stage.  We found them, and thankfully sat down.  It was around 2:00 a.m. Saturday morning.  However, we didn’t sleep.  We talked all night long to people who were walking by.  From the time we got to where we would stay during the festivities, there was a constant stream of people going by, looking for a place to sit.  As it got closer to sunrise, the stream of people got heavier.  At 7:00 a.m. the Washington D.C. Metro stations opened and the people really started to arrive.  By 10:00 a.m., the crowd was so thick, it was hard to move.  Joe had arrived at the Vienna Metro station around 7:15 a.m., and arrived at the Lincoln Memorial around 9:30 a.m.  He had a difficult time getting to us (we kept in touch via cell phone).  He said the Metro stations were jammed and all the cars packed.  It was orderly, but very crowded.
 
Hopefully, everyone has watched the program on C-Span.  If not, look up when the next showing will be.  Again, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Where we were sitting (on an incline in the grass), we could not see the speakers and viewing the jumbotrom was difficult.  If I could do it over, I would have looked for a better place to sit during the night rather than staying put.  But, we were tired and didn’t think.  However, we could hear everything.  (once back at Joe’s house, we watched the event on C-Span).   Wow!!!
 
I had prepared 200 Flag pins with a yellow ribbon (100 with a red, white and blue ribbon for the boys, and 100 with red, white and blue bows for girls), thinking I would hand them out to the children of military members who were currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.  During the night, there were not many children at the mall, and once the sun came up, I started walking around trying to hand out the flag pins.  However, that didn’t work out as the children I approached were fearful about taking anything from a stranger.  So, after about 30 minutes, I returned to my chair and eventually gave the flag pins out to men, women and children who were sitting nearby.  I still had some left, so as people were leaving, I handed out the last of the flag pins.  Hopefully, they will wear the pins, remember the rally, and pray for our troops safety and well-being. 
 
Martha, Joe and I waited for a few hours before we tried to leave.  There were so many people, that we knew we would have to wait in lines where ever we went.  As it was, the walk back to the Foggy Bottom Metro was too much.  Trying to find a taxi was also difficult.  Finally, Joe secured a limo and we arrived back at the Foggy Bottom Metro in style!!!  A limo no less!!  We glady gave the driver what he requested ($12.00) but when he started to make change for the $20.00 bill, we decided that we didn’t want change.  If I would have had to walk, I would still be on the street trying to get to the Metro.  My feet and knees were hurting badly, plus my muscles were burning and I was trembling.  I think the heat was starting to get to me.  Martha thought I was dehydrated, despite the fact that I had drank quite a bit of water.  At the entrace to the Foggy Bottom Metro, I purchased 2 gator aid drinks.  We got into the Metro station, and eventually got into a train; however we had to get off the train at the next stop, as the train was experiencing problems.  Each train that arrived at our station was pretty full, so it wasn’t until the fourth train that we were able to get into a train.  When we arrived at the Vienna station, the escalators weren’t working, so we took the elevator as I simply could not walk very much more and the thought of climbing stairs was an impossibility.  We walked out of the station and Joe went to get his vehicle.  Arriving home was wonderful.  We unpacked the car and we started to watch Glenn Beck’s Thursday program.  Martha tells me I went to sleep on the floor watching Glenn Beck.  She went upstairs to take a bath.  While she was taking a bath, I went to bed to take a nap (I really hadn’t slept since 10:00 a.m. Friday morning!).  It was around 6:00 p.m.  The next thing I knew is I was smelling bacon.  That event I shared at the beginning of this E-Mail.
 
It is now about 6:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon.  It has taken me almost all day to get this E-Mail written.  I have stopped for 3 hours to watch the gathering at the mall on C-Span, then looking at other things on Martha’s computer, all the while adding to my E-Mail as well.
 
It is time for me to close this E-Mail.  All I can say is that I am glad I came, glad I experienced all that I have, thankful to Glenn for being a modern-day PauIf youl Revere, getting the message out that the Progressives are here taking over this country and transforming it into something that the Founding Fathers would not recognize and that it is time for all freedom-loving Americans to wake up and get involved and get their lives straightened out and look to God for direction, for only He has the answers to America’s problems. 
 
May each of us remember what we have heard this weekend of 8/27 and 8/28, never forget, and get involved and do what God calls you to do.
 
God Bless
 
Susan Mowbray 

You can watch the rally in its entirety <<here>>.

Susan Mowbray, a member of our group who lives in Springfield, Illinois, sent this email today with an update about her experience standing in line last night in order to get tickets for tonight’s program, America’s Divine Destiny, at the Kennedy Center.   (I am aware of at least 11 members of our group who will be attending this program.)  She has given us permission to share her email here, so that you can read about her experience in her own words.  If you are a Glenn Beck Insider, you can also see her and many, many others who stood in line last night (in order to get tickets for this event) on Glenn Beck’s Insider Extreme.

Here is Susan’s email:

I am here in Washington, D.C. with my best friend, Martha deMichael, for Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor in America. 
 
We left Springfield, IL on Tuesday evening and arrived in Ashburn, Va (where we are staying at Martha’s nephew’s house) on Wednesday evening. 
 
Thursday morning the 3 of us (Martha, Joe and myself) went to the Metro and took it to Foggy Bottom.  From there we walked about 1/2 mile to the Kennedy Center just to see the place and find out where we had to go to get tickets for Friday night’s activities there at the Center.  There were already about 15 people in line who planned to camp out all night in order to get ticket Friday morning.  I told Martha that I would stay there and wait until the next morning in order to be able to have tickets for the event.  It was about 11 to 11:30 a.m., so I would be there for almost 24 hours.  Martha and Joe went back to Joe’s house to get pillows, blankets and food and water, which Martha would bring back with her later that day, and she also would spend the night in order to get tickets.
 
So I sat myself down to wait.  Had lots of fun talking to people who were in line.  The first couple of people in line had arrived there at 7:30 a.m.  While there, more and more people were comming to scope the place out, and they also decided to have one person in their group stay, while the rest of their group would go back to their hotel to get pillows/blankets/food and water and return. 
 
By the time Martha returned around 5:00 p.m., the line was almost at the end of the building!!
 
But before Martha arrived, two people in the line decided to make a provision run to a local store and get chairs, ice, drinks, lunch meat, bread, peanut butter and jelly etc.  So I signed up for 2 chairs (the 2 hours I had sat on the cement sidewalk convinced me that we needed chairs to be able to last the night in the line!!).  I also signed up for the food and drinks (I was getting hungry and didn’t know how long it would take Martha to return).
 
By the time Martha arrived, I had a nice cozy place to sit.  She brought a book as well as food, water, pillows and blankets.
 
Around 7 to 7:30 p.m. a few of Glenn’s workers arrived with a video camera and started talking to us, going down the line from the first arrivals.  We would be on Insider Extreme at 8:00 p.m.!!
 
Around 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. we were told we had to be in line and that if we got out of line for any reason, we would have to go to the end of the line.  Then we were told that a very special guest would be coming to see us!! (We looked at each other – would the special guest be Glenn Beck???).  We didn’t know and they wouldn’t say who the special guest would be; we were hoping for Glenn. 
 
The security people were all over the place, making sure everything was ok.
 
Then Glenn Beck and his wife Tanya and others arrived!!  They brought pizza, drinks and chips.  Glenn started at the head of the line and went down and talked to each person, shaking hands, or hugging us, and talking to us (go to Glenn Beck.com, go to the article that states tickets gone for 8/27/event, open that item and click on the picture of Glenn to see the first 4 1/2 minutes of Glenn talking to us.  I am on the video and am wearing my red, white and blue hat with the stars, so you will be able to recognize me.  I also state where I am from and I talk with Glenn for about 15 to 20 seconds.  I shook Glenn’s hand and also hugged him!!). 
 
After we had talked with Glenn, ate pizza and drank the sodas, the security people told us to clean up the area and get ready to go inside to get our tickets – that since we had more people than tickets, they were going to hand out the tickets vs having us wait all night!!
 
So, we got 2 tickets each (we got tickets for a couple who were not able to stay as the wife had a medical condition that required medication, and they hadn’t planned ahead to have that with them to cover staying the night so we told them that we each would get 2 tickets – Martha’s two tickets would be for Martha and me, and my 2 tickets would be for the husband and wife). 
 
When we got our tickets, Martha’s two tickets were for the front row!!!! (Orchestra section).  My tickets were for row #2.  Martha and I were excited as to how things were working out.  So we took the Kennedy Center shuttle bus back to the Metro Center and Joe picked us up at the Vienna Metro Station after he got done watching the Cardinals and Nationals play at the D.C. Nationals’ stadium.  We got home after midnight, with high excitement as to what had happened and with anticipation as to what Friday and Saturday would bring.
 
We are now trying to decide as to what to do for today – leaving home about 3:30 p.m. to be able to avoid the rush hour traffic to get to the Metro (about 20 miles from here) in order to get to the Kennedy Center around 6 to 6:30 p.m. for the 8:00 p.m. festivities.  We are also thinking of after the Kennedy Center, going back to the car at the metro station, changing clothes for tomorrow, and getting our stuff and having Joe drop us near the area of the Lincoln Memorial.  Technically, we are not allowed to “camp out” because it is against the Park rules, but as long as we don’t have tents or sleeping bags, we can spend the night (you just can’t sleep there).  Kinda like what we were going to do at the Kennedy Center.  So, we probably will be up all night tonight, but hopefully, we will have good seats for tomorrow.  Glenn this morning on his radio show stated that there were already people there scoping out their places to sit.  Again, since this a once in a life time event, we are willing to do the unusual in order to get a good seat for the event.  I am looking forward to getting to know people from all over the country – Thursday at the Kennedy Center, we met people from Alaska, California, Maine, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina, Arkansas, Utah, Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, Washington State, Oregon, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Pennsylvania; I am probably leaving out a few states, but these are the ones I remember.  Literally, I think all of America will be represented at this event!
 
Will keep you posted with a follow-up E-Mail on Saturday afternoon or Sunday afternoon.  I have to get busy as it is 12:30 p.m. and we must decide what to wear for tonight, and what to bring tonight (and leave in the car) for tomorrow.
 
I think Joe thinks we are crazy for doing this – spending the night at the “Mall” but I am afraid that since the Metro doesn’t start until 7:00 a.m. tomorrow, that we are going to be caught in traffic and congestion and have trouble getting there tomorrow morning.  This way, by being there tonight, we will avoid the hastle of traffic in the morning.
 
More info to follow later.
 
Susan Mowbray

For real-time updates, please follow us on Twitter (as we will post real-time updates during tonight and tomorrow’s events), or tune into C-SPAN or the Restoring Honor Rally Facebook page for live coverage of tomorrow’s rally.

Glenn Beck stated today on his radio program that a live feed of the Restoring Honor Rally would also be shown on the Restoring Honor Facebook page (www.facebook.com/RestoringHonor). 

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For those unable to attend, there is good news! You can watch it from home.

C-SPAN has posted on Twitter that it will be televising the Restoring Honor Rally on 8/28. Here is a copy and paste from C-SPAN’s  Twitter page:

SATURDAY on C-SPAN – Restoring Honor Rally with @glennbeck & @SarahPalinUSA – LIVE Saturday starting at 10:00am ET on C-SPAN

That will be 9:00 AM Central, of course.

Updated 8/17/10

We are passing along information regarding another bus trip to the Restoring Honor Rally.  The bus will be leaving out of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, at the intersection of I-57 & I-64.     Mt. Vernon is about an hour east of St. Louis.  At least 40 riders are needed and there is room for you!  The organizer is Jan Olson and you may contact her via e mail at:  jmolson37@sbcglobal.net.

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Updated 8/16/10

Here is an additional link for you to check out if you are still looking for a bus trip to the Restoring Honor Rally.  The site shows trips planned from across the nation and will give you contact information and seat availability.

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Original post, as published on 8/8/10:

We have received many requests for information regarding bus trips being organized to transport  people to the Restoring Honor Rally in Washington, DC, on August 28th.

In order to help facilitate disseminating this information to everyone, we have compiled a list of possibilities from various sources for you to check out at your convenience.  Please note: the Central IL 9-12 Project is not in charge of any of these bus trips, nor do we know the organizers personally. In addition, this information is subject to change, as many of the bus trips are dependent upon the number of people who actually sign up.  Be thorough in your research and find out specifically what costs are covered in the price of your ticket and what costs, if any, are not.  Please be sure to read all information carefully and note the deadlines for commitment, payment and payment options.

NORTHWEST ILLINOIS 8/28 – Washington, DC

Contact:  Carol Miller – e-mail: mills24@sbcglobal.net

Staging areas for pick up along the corridor of  I-80 and I-39

Final reservations: August 16th

The trip will require 2 drivers – driving time 10 hours for each driver or 550 miles before taking a DOT-mandated 8 hours off duty. If people choose to stay over there is an additional charge for the 2 hotel rooms required for the bus drivers.   Total bus capacity is 55 passengers -  Each bus has restrooms, reclining seats, tinted windows with shades, DVD players and TV monitors on board.

Option  A -  Round trip, arrive 2 hours before the rally and return to Illinois 15 hours each way.

Ticket Price $87.50 per person

Option B -  Round trip, with overnight stay arriving on the day of the rally and returning the following day.

Ticket Price:  $92 per person – plus the cost of 2 hotel rooms for the drivers.

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SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI, 9-12′ers (Stopping in St. Louis to Pick Up)

Contact: Springfield 9-12ers

Buses will leave about 7 pm on Wednesday, August 25. driving straight through to D.C., arriving on Thursday afternoon.  Friday will be an unscheduled day.  Saturday, attend the rally and leave sometimelate afternoon, returning to Springfield, Missouri, on Sunday afternoon.

The bus will cost about $190 per person.  The hotel will be $99/night, plus taxes.

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DUBUQUE IOWA TEA PARTY (WILL STOP IN IL TO PICK UP)

Contact: iowabecktrip@gmail.com

Bus departs from Dubuque, Iowa, on August 27th @ 6 AM , returning to Dubuque on August 29th.  Prices vary from $305 to $240 depending upon total number of people on bus and occupancy preferred for hotel room.  Specific cost information available from above contact.  The deadline to commit to sign up is August 10, 2010, and the deadline for payment is August 18, 2010.

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In addition to the above, we suggest you also check out the regional discussion boards on the Restoring Honor Facebook page.