Mr. Basil

"Don't gauge us by the people that have gone from our parts to Washington," wrote the American poet Walt Whitman; "We are live men. Stand back! We mean what we say."

Truly, 2009 was the year that Conservatives took back Free Speech in America. To borrow a biblical metaphor, the word became flesh and blood: Conservative Americans presented themselves, body and soul, at Town Hall meetings, Tea Party rallies on humble streetcorners; and ultimately, en masse on the Mall in Washington on September 12, 2009.

There could be no more pointed comment on the discontent of the People with their Representatives, than this: The divide between ourselves and the Houses of Congress has become so great, that we may not rest until it sees the whites of our eyes.

"Stand back! We mean what we say."

This video explores the vital relationship between conservative free speech and the preservation of our Republic. It is an old tale -- one which began with the revolutionary Sons of Liberty and their clandestine communications nailed to Liberty Trees in the face of tyranny.

It continues today, with the nameless citizens we have seen representing the passions of the People to our representatives in Congress at Town Halls.

For every American who picked up a Magic Marker this year, crafted a sign, and showed up -- rain or shine -- to make democracy Real, we salute in you a great American tradition.

It has never been so vital to the survival of our Republic.

The extraordinary, ordinary Town Hall speakers in this video are citizens of the 22nd Congressional District of California. Th

ese, and others like them, are Our Representatives.

Hail, Columbia!

-- PitchforkPatriot
********************************************
TRANSCRIPT
http://teapartypatriots.ning.com/profiles/blogs/hail-columbia-2010-for-what
********************************************