"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." – First Amendment, U.S. Constitution.
I've had some time now to digest what I saw, heard and said at CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) this year at National Harbor, Maryland. It feels important to have participated. The demarcation between those — of the ability and means — who came and those who took a pass, is all telling.
Politicians sometimes forget that it is our freedoms that they're supposed to support. Not so with North Carolina Lt. Gov.Mark Robinson, though. "This is not about want! It's about service!" he thundered.
Big Tech has instances of pairing up with government to effectuate censorship on a level that would get shut down if done by a politician. Former member of Congress Tulsi Gabbard spoke of the censors' parroted line — "misinformation, disinformation."
She decried how "Big Tech is actively working to smear" the people with whom they disagree. Gabbard said pointedly, "We don't have to pick and choose which of our rights are more worthy than the other."
As lawyer John Coale later articulated, "What is state action against free speech? Simple: when they work together."
It's not a "thing" under normal circumstances for the average citizen to be in the room listening to world luminaries. CPAC is a notable exception.
Former president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, quoted the Bible at John 8:32: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Bolsonaro articulated his vision of a free press. "I never took any measures against the press. I believe that when a press makes a mistake, they are better than [no press]."
Georgia state Rep. Mike Collins spoke of "wasted freedom," with the thousands of dollars spent on deciding acronyms.
Newsmax's own Ric Grenell held a discussion with liberal reporter Jennifer Palmieri, when the audience booed at her. He sternly admonished the crowd, saying, "Don't boo, I can handle it." He showed a sterling example of allowing all viewpoints to see the sunlight.
As political commentator Monica Crowley asked, "What is disinformation? Who decides?"
Founder of private contracting company Blackwater and former Navy Seal Erik Prince warned the audience: "Big Tech collects a lot of data on you. They harvest and resell data." Big Tech is polluting our ability to freely exercise our constitutional rights!
So, what's in it for the attendees? I spoke to Sandra Salstrom, a harpist in Houston. She wanted to play since age 4, but her family was below poverty line. At the age of 23, she was accepted into the University of Washington School of Music right away.
"Being a shy person," as she describes herself, she didn't get involved with orchestras or ensembles. But she certainly is an enthusiastic participant on all of GETTR's important and historic political chats.
Moving to Texas, Sandra found a few MAGA people at church. "But these people went out and got vaccinated," she intones. She was afraid to get vaccinated, though she had a father in his '90s in hospice. She listened to doctors like Dr. Steven Hatfield and Dr. Robert Malone.
"I didn't know anybody who thought as I did. I just couldn't do it. I grew progressively further and further away from them. We had to be very careful what we said to each other." She met someone at CPAC, enjoyed people who think like she does.
What do First Amendment rights mean to her? "It means everything. We want to be able to gather together. I love the chats. I'm always ahead of the curve, knowing what's happening in the culture. That's why the January 6th people were there" (assembling to be with people of a like mind).
CPAC has a Media Row where broadcasters with different focus points each set up a booth. I greeted some of my Newsmax colleagues — Eric Bolling, John Bachman and James Rosen – with, "I'm one of your people!"
Most of the broadcasters had opportunities for their audience to share their views on camera, which I did twice. I was honored to sit with American Sunrise's Ed Henry and Karyn Turk, then later opined on "War Room."
Years of stage and litigation experience helped me make my points on East Palestine, Ohio, and former Maryland Gov. "Lockdown Larry" Hogan. It's our American birthright to speak our minds!
The capstone of the conference was being in the room to listen to former President Donald Trump. He is a champion of our freedoms. He certainly spoke of disinformation campaigns. "This is the final battle, everybody knows it."
Tamar Alexia Fleishman was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's youngest female solo violinist. A world-traveler, Fleishman provides readers with international flavor and culture. She's debated Bill Maher, Greta Van Susteren and Dr. Phil. Fleishman practices law in Maryland with a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and a B.A. in Political Science from Goucher College. Read Tamar Alexia Fleishman's Reports — More Here.
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