Category: - Bryan William Brickner

2020: In High Spirits, a Seven-Twenty Preamble

7/19/2017

The twenty dollar right in the US Constitution, Amendment VII

One gathers what another spills /
We the People /
Show some spirit /
For constitutionalism /
For the law that makes We the People We the People /
Every ten years

If you care to, ask yourself what you are doing for We the People? What part are you playing?

If the answer is nothing (no part) and that’s okay with you, then okay.

If the answer is nothing and that’s not okay, then do something to support the Constitution, our supreme law and the thing that makes us We the People, constitutionally reborn every ten years (enumeration / census).

Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 and the 7th Amendment are numerical avenues of approach for those of constitutional spirit ~ a spirit for constitutionalism. One could start by asking representatives (at all levels) if they support the US Constitution; they’ll say yes, of course, so then ask them the next question, the one about representing We the People by the “thirty Thousand” ratio or the one about the twenty dollars in the 7th Amendment: that will begin a conversation. If they support constitutionalism they are obliged (by citizenship and law) to help; if they don’t help, then they aren’t supporting the Constitution. If you don’t support the US Constitution, are you even still American? If so, how?

The representation usurpation ends when We the People want it to: if not now, what more do We need to see?

The Preamble, where our ideals are shown in high spirits and fulfillment waiting, is a We the People rally point; it reads like a dream, perhaps a dream we need to dream again …

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Tomorrow is 7/20; perhaps make a moment for Amendment VII, establishing Justice and insuring domestic Tranquility; read something, share something, or discuss with someone the implications of such a right hiding in plain sight (in the US Bill of Rights) and nearly 100 percent ignored.

For ourselves and our Posterity.

*Next Up: Friday 11 August and some receptor science ~ The Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine: Tobacco (Nicotine) Soldiers Soldiering.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020: Virtual Representation and the People

6/21/2017

“Regulations Lately Made Concerning the Colonies”

The lead-in was the title for a 1765 British Empire executive order concerning the colonies; this would have pertained to all colonies, not just the North American ones.

The regulations stated: “All British subjects … are virtually represented in Parliament; for every member of Parliament sits in the House, but as one of that august Assembly by which all the Commons of England are represented.”

So Virginians with names beginning with George, Thomas and James, for example, should give thanks that they were virtually represented in Parliament by a British commoner (which defines them as colonial commoners). There was no need for someone from Virginia, or any other colony, according to the Crown, to actually be in Parliament; the point being that Washington, Jefferson and Madison were being “virtually represented” by other commoners in England.

The 1765 regulations continued: “The colonies and all British subjects whatever, have an equal share in the general representation of the Commons of Great Britain, and are bound by the consent of the majority of that House, whether their own particular representatives consented to or opposed the measures there taken, or whether they had or had not particular representatives there.” (Italics added.)

One can see the political seeds of No Taxation Without Representation in the last part of that regulation – “whether they had or had not particular representatives there” – and the seeds of rebellion as well.

Virtual representation was Crown representation.

*Next Up: Wednesday 28 June and a 2020: Putin Knows. For further reading see Section 3 of Chapter 1, “Revolution – a sovereignty of the people,” in Article the first of the Bill of Rights (2006).

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Republican Values: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb On Our Way Constitutional Solutions

3/19/2017

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW One

Part 13 of 13

“What happens next Reb?”
“Forward.”
“I mean for We the People?”
“Forward.”
“Specifically.”
“There are constitutional solutions Gus.”
“Amendment.”
“For sure.”
“Amend what though?”
“The representation ratio in Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3.”
“It’s 2017.”
“Yes.”
“So 2020 is the next Enumeration.”
“Correct.”
“If Congress is going to make amends, they have to get started.”
“True: Article 1 certainly does not say Congress can set its own number of representatives for We the People.”
“That’s our birthright.”
“And that’s the usurpation.”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW Two

“How many constitutional solutions are there Johnny?”
“Three.”
“So amend the representation ratio from thirty Thousand to a new number is one way.”
“Yes.”
“What else?”
“Completing the original Bill of Rights.”
“That sounds appealing.”
“Of course.”
“What does completing the Bill of Rights mean?”
“States voting for Article the first.”
“Okay.”
“Article the first would raise the ratio from thirty Thousand to fifty Thousand.”
“What’s its status?”
“Available.”
“Meaning?”
“Something like 27 states would have to pass it to become law.”
“Sounds easier than a new representation ratio.”
“It would be, and it would complete part of our founding.”
“The Bill of Rights.”
“Yes.”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW Three

“What’s the third constitutional solution Reb?”
“Honor our founding and the founders’ creation, We the People.”
“By using the thirty Thousand in 2020.”
“That’s it.”
“And it got this way because of George?”
“He put the thirty Thousand in the Constitution.”
“Washington did?”
“It was forty Thousand until the last day of the Convention.”
“Then George ordered the change?”
“No, he requested it.”
“Okay.”
“They made the change on the spot.”
“Left their mark ‘eh?”
“Left a smudge on the Constitution.”
“Metaphor.”
“Appears so.”
“What day did George smudge our Constitution?”
“Seventeen September 1787.”
“Constitution Day.”
“Forward is as easy as one, two three Gus.”
“Johnny, we should shine some light on representation.”
“Indeed.”

*Next Up: 4 April and some spring and summer thoughts. Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb will begin again 17 September 2017 in Part II of Republican Values: On Our Way.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020: Update for Clinton, Trump and Constitutional Enumeration (Census)

10/8/2016

US Constitution, Article I

An Update

The Donald Trump campaign response to my email query:

Re: Thank you for your submission
Thank you for your email. We appreciate your support! A member of our team will be contacting you soon to discuss your inquiry.

Sincerely,
Team Trump

No one from Team Trump has called yet.

The Hillary Clinton campaign response to my email query:

Re: Your message about Hillary’s platform
Dear Bryan:

Thank you for your message about Hillary’s policy agenda.

Since announcing her campaign for president, Hillary has laid out a comprehensive policy agenda for the future we want to build together. To read more about her plans, visit www.hillaryclinton.com/issues—and sign up for The Briefing to stay up to date on the latest news and announcements, and get the facts on Hillary’s record.

Thank you, again, for taking the time to reach out. This campaign is fueled by the energy and ideas of the American people, and we hope you will continue engaging in the issues that matter most to you.

All the best,
Hillary for America

The Issues page lists lots of issues, though there’s no mention of ending the usurpation and representing We the People according to our numbers.

Inauguration Day is 20 January 2017, the day the new president takes the oath to support the US Constitution; two numbers must be addressed to fulfill that oath, the thirty Thousand for representation (which is George Washington’s number) and the twenty dollars for justice (which is part of the Bill of Rights).

*Next Up: Fire-Water Ignites Black Hawk War of 1832 (and other things), a pamphlet announcement on Saturday, 15 October.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Summer Union 2016: Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Bring the Boys

9/10/2016

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Boys

Part 11 of 13

“Are We the People united?”
“In 2016?”
“Yeah Johnny.”
“Divided Gus.”
“What about the children?”
“What?”
“Domestic tranquility Reb.”
“A goal from the Preamble.”
“Ain’t domestic tranquility about family, home and kids.”
“Sure.”
“Then division is rotting what’s good.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Back

“Sepsis.”
“That’s rotten.”
“Putrid.”
“Why don’t We the People read what’s in the book before us Johnny?”
“Sowers of Sepsis.”
“Tory Crowners.”
“Anti-Republic.”
“And yet.”
“Yes Gus.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Home

“There is our fulcrum.”
“Washington?”
“Article I.”
“The thirty Thousand.”
“Did George ever command 30,000?”
“At the Constitutional Convention.”
“In the field?”
“No, Washington often only commanded 3,000.”
“Three thousand Dandeez.”
“Right on Yank.”

*Next Up: The Union 2016 summer series continues on Friday 16 September with part 12, Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Comfortably Numb.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Summer Union 2016: Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Feather Birds

7/16/2016

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Feather

Part 5 of 13

“Me sees Turkey feathers Reb.”
“Me too Yank.”
“You were right about feeling Morgan around.”
“Turkey and Snake.”
“Yes.”
“Mt Horeb take-me-back moment.”
“Me too Reb.”
“What’s next to the feathers?”
“Document looks like.”
“Let’s look closer.”
“Sure.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Birds

“Constitution Gus.”
“We the People too.”
“The counter to Tory Crown.”
“Turkey feathers?”
“Written law Yank.”
“I thought you meant that.”
“Sure you did.”
“Who’s the caped avenger?”
“Let’s look.”
“Okay.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Flocking

“I’m guessing General Washington Yank.”
“Me too Reb.”
“The caped avenger is pointing at something.”
“Into the breach perhaps.”
“Or the We in ‘We the People.’”
“Both work: what’s the script Reb?”
“The words from Article I.”
“Significant?”
“The thirty Thousand we’ve been jawin’ about is there.”
“Right there?”
“Right there before us.”
“Sign overload Johnny.”
“Agreed Gus.”

Next Up: Wednesday 20 July and a 2020: 7/20 Bill of Rights Participation Day, Do Due Diligence

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Union 2016: Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Dub Radical Wisdom

1/17/2016

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Dub

Winter series part 4 of 13

Wisdom dub

“ … One thing was,” continued Johnny Reb, “is the ‘76ers allowed free blacks to join the rebellion.”
“At first they didn’t?”
“The new army of 1775 issued an order -”
“Who issued the order Johnny?”
“George Washington’s Adjutant General, Horatio Gates.”
“That name’s familiar.”
“Gates was a former British officer who served in the French and Indian War.”
“He was where we were then,” Gus noted, “around Winchester.”
“He was,” confirmed Reb; “Gates lived in western Virginia, as he bought a place out there in 1773, so he knew George’s brothers too.”
“Get outta town.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Radical

“What?”
“George Washington’s brothers?”
“Correct.”
“Let’s say we add them to our Virginia time.”
“Agreed.”
“Is there a place to visit?”
“Several,” Reb noted, “and even a town.”
“Battletown?”
“Charles Town.”
“Say more.”
“It’s where John Brown was tried and hanged.”
“Is Charles one of George’s brothers?”
“Yes.”
“So Charles Town Virginia -”
“West Virginia now.”
“- Right - where John Brown was tried and condemned,” Gus summed, “was named after one of George Washington’s brothers.”
“Yes: Charles Washington founded it.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Crux of the matter.”
“What else about Gates Reb?”
“He was Morgan’s commander in 1777 at Saratoga.”
“Big victory.”
“Morgan had a sharp day …”
“Okay …”
“I can’t speak for Gates Gus.”
“Why?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Wisdom

“Gates doesn’t make sense.”
“How so?”
“Can’t say.”
“Sounds like you won’t say Reb.”
“He doesn’t add up Gus.”
“Incompetent?”
“Can’t say.”
“I think you know more than you’re saying and just won’t say.”
“True.”
“What else can you say then Johnny?”
“Concerning Morgan,” Reb offered, “Gates had a big loss that necessitated -”
“Wisdom.”
“- Thunderbolt.”
“Same thing.”
“Morgan’s Cowpens victory,” continued Reb, “was necessary because of a Gates’ led debacle in South Carolina, the Battle of Camden.”
“So you’re saying Gates, Morgan and Charles Washington were all around Berryville Reb?”
“Yes Gus ~ and Sam too.”
“Sam?”
“Samuel Washington …”

*Next Up: The Union 2016 winter series continues Saturday 23 January with part 5, Ticonderoga Cannon.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Union 2016: Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka New Year’s Eve 1775

12/31/2015

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere New

Winter series part 2

Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall.

“… Daniel Morgan had quite a 1775 Gus.”
“How so Johnny?”
“Morgan was in western Virginia -”
“- Around Berryville?”
“Right, though Berryville wasn’t always called that.”
“What else was it called?”
“Battletown.”
“Some big battle happen there Reb?”
“No, just the local kind.”
“Whatcha mean?”
“It was a place you could find a fight if you were looking for one.”
“Oh,” measured Gus, “a boxing town.”
“Sort of.”
“Thunderbolt might have meant something by that.”
“Agreed.”
“A clue,” Gus offered, “that perhaps our sides were looking for a fight and found one.”
“We got divided.”
“We the People did.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Years

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
“You quoting Lincoln there Reb.”
“He got it from the gospel of Mark.”
“Jesus.”
“Right."
“What of Morgan Reb and his 1775?”
“He and many others in Virginia answered George Washington’s call to Boston.”
“So the Teamster headed to where the action was.”
“And from there to Canada.”
“That’s a long ways from Virginia Reb, what’s Morgan doing there?”
“Trying to capture Quebec.”
“To spread rebellion?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Eve

“To spread the rebellion,” confirmed Reb, “and to deny the British a safe landing.”
“For the King’s response to the rebellion.”
“Correct.”
“They didn’t capture Quebec did they Johnny?”
“No Gus,” Reb distinguished, “the opposite happened.”
“Thunderbolt got captured.”
“He did. Morgan and several hundred other rebels surrendered and became prisoners of war on 31 December 1775.”
“Not a happy ending Johnny.”
“Morgan was alive.”
“True, though how’d he get to be Thunderbolt and all?”
“That started later Gus, in 1777 … "

*Next Up: The 240th anniversary of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, Sunday 10 January as part 3 of the Union 2016 winter series.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Union 2016: Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Rally

12/21/2015

Reb and Yank Nowhere Rally

Winter series part 1

He never stops
Can't catch his breath
It's always there
Scares him to death

“Hey Yank!”
“Hey Reb!”
“Nowhere’s good.”
“Right,” said Gus, “as Thunderbolt didn’t say stay in Berryville.”
“True.”
“He only said ‘start’ there.”
“True again.”
“So what now?”
“Don’t ask me Yank.”
“Huh?” tossed Gus, “You the composite spirit Johnny – you always know what’s next.”
“Not anymore.”
“What’s that mean Reb?”

Reb and Yank Nowhere Hail

“Meeting Morgan did something.”
“I know … wait,” paused Gus, “what did meeting Morgan do?”
“Thunderbolt called us out Gus.”
“Felt that.”
“People like him made you and me.”
“They did, didn’t they.”
“They did,” offered Johnny, “they made us an us.”
“Those colonial Yankee Doodle Dandies.”
“His hailing ~”
“Sons!”
“~ Right,” Reb continued, “When we answered -”
“Like a team.”
“- We became a team.”
“He kind of spooked us, you know.”
“Yeah.”
“Like we needed a spooking though, something to get us working together again.”
“Hearing you talk like that Yank makes me wonder.”
“Wonder what Reb?”

Reb and Yank Nowhere Us

“What did Thunderbolt mean with -”
“Reb, did Thunderbolt have another nickname?”
“He did,” Reb noted, “one from George Washington.”
“It was …”
“The Old Wagoner.”
“Teamster.”
“Right,” Reb added, “he got it as a young man when the British battled the French.”
“The French and Indian War,” Gus followed, “which created a possible Indiana in the possible United States.”
“True. As I recall,” Reb focused, “Morgan gave us a sign.”
“Right.”
“Maybe we should talk that through before we go traipsing around Virginia again.”
“Agreed,” said Gus.
“Nowhere seems to work.”
“Worked before.”
“Wanna start with the Snake or the Turkey?”
“Tell me about Morgan Johnny ~ let’s start there …”

*Next Up: December 31st the Union 2016 winter series continues with part 2 and the 1775 New Year’s Eve Battle of Quebec.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

George Hempington and the First Hempoween

10/31/2015

This story deserves a hearing – even if it’s been 250 years

Hempoween is a colonial American invention (if it was invented at all). Obviously, in order to celebrate a Hempoween, one needs some hemp. Back in early colonial times the Tuscarora Nation provided hemp for the land called Virginia; part of the Tuscarora were known as “the hemp gatherers” and this was back when hemp grew wild in America and all one had to do was gather it. Our story, the one about the first Hempoween, honors the aborigine and follows in their spirit.

George Hempington faced a different hemp world than the Tuscarora. George began his adult career working as a surveyor for the King of England in western Virginia; he then settled down into plantation life and in 1759 married Artha, also known as “Lady Hempington,” and had a life long love affair with her (the two would spend winters together during George’s later military campaigns).

George opted for hemp farming (one couldn’t just gather it anymore) because his king needed hemp and was paying a bounty – a price above market value – for it.

George sowed his hemp in May along with the slaves he owned – he would have needed help for the hemp planting and harvesting; of course, like much of colonial America, and colonialism in general, slaves did the labor. George’s first hemp harvest (he would go on to farm hemp the rest of his life) was two-and-a-half ton of fiber and 152 bushels of hemp seed.

What defines a Hempoween? Apparently, given the historical evidence, it is the scattering of shattered hemp seed on one’s field (or garden); that’s what George Hempington did on 31 October 1765 when he plowed 27 bushel of shattered hemp seed into the hemp ground newly sowed with wheat at one of his plantations.

Perhaps only The Smudge of 17 September 1787 merits consideration along with Hempoween as George’s greatest contribution to American heritage: we’ll let time be the judge.

Happy 250th Hempoween All!

Next Up: A Supreme Pilgrim’s Progress Update for Thursday 26 November, Thanksgiving Day.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner