What I've been up to

by Michael Nystrom
Editor
www.bullnotbull.com
www.dailypaul.com

Dear Friends,

If you had told me two years ago that today I'd be a registered Republican, and an alternate delegate to the GOP convention in Minnesota, I would have called you crazy! If you recall, back in October 2006, I was advocating voting for "Gridlock."

At the time, Republicans controlled the White House, the House and the Senate! I was terrified of what two more years of that would look like, noting,

What happened the last time we had Kissinger, Rumsfeld and Cheney in the same Whitehouse? Does politics provide any hope whatsoever?

I suppose that was the question that began my strange and wonderful journey. By some kind of miracle, Democrats took control of the Senate (by one seat!) and the House. Not that I was a Democrat, but they were supposed to be the opposition party. (Does anyone remember that concept?)

First and foremost, what I was hoping for was a form of triage, or as I put it at the time, gridlock. Get the Dumbs and the Repugs fighting one another so they'll stay out of our lives! That was the point. And while they're at it, I figured the D's could take a look at that "Unitary Executive" theory (where the hell did that come from?) and cut it down to size.

As for this being a miracle - it really was - considering the press was predicting that the Republicans would keep control of both houses. The Republican losses were really a surprise, and a relief. And after the loss, RUMSFELD GOT FIRED TOO! It seemed like the country was swinging back towards some form of sanity. With the Democrats in control of congress, I thought it was a sure thing that we'd see impeachment hearings.

Until that point, I thought I was sufficiently seasoned and cynical, but Lily Tomlin said it best, "No matter how cynical you become, it's never enough to keep up." The Democrats inaction demonstrated quite clearly that we do not have a two party system, just a one party system with two factions.

In 2007, a ray of hope caught my attention. Ron Paul was running for president. Being 1) an optimist, 2) free, and 3) a sucker for lost causes, I signed on. Listening to one of the first podcasts with Dr. Paul on the Korelin Economics report sealed the deal for me. I like to go back to that interview, since it took place before all the craziness started. No one knew how big his campaign would become, but the energy and size of the campaign are cause for great hope going forward.

So for the past year and a half or so, as I've been observing and participating in the Ron Paul movement, I've been neglecting Bull! Not bull. Instead, I'm spent most of my online time manning the controls over at the Daily Paul, working, and trading. Not so surprisingly, when I stopped running my mouth (and keyboard), trying to look smart by predicting where the market was headed, my trading improved markedly.

Recently things on that front have gotten a little busier as we head towards the GOP convention in Minnesota, AND Ron Paul's parallel celebration just down the street - the Rally for the Republic. As a result, I've stopped updating the news links on this site. There is a very active and aware community with lively discussion at the Daily Paul, and I invite you to participate.

Two years ago, I already understood the economic scam of the Fed. That is what initially drew me to Dr. Paul - he clearly that he understands it as well. But well beyond that, I have learned so much over these past two years about our country, the intentions of the founding fathers, what liberty is, and what it means to be free. This is stuff I never, ever learned in high school or college! The main thing I remember about George Washington from school is that he chopped down a cherry tree. Seriously. How pathetic.

Never, until I became involved in the Ron Paul campaign, did I hear this quote, for example:

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. -- George Washington

Ponder that for a moment.

In a free society, no one can force you to do anything against your will. It is illegal. No one, that is, except the government. The government is the only entity that has the legal power to use coercive force in our society. This is how I came to learn why the statement, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help" can be so terrifying.

What if you don't want their help? Sorry - choice is not an option when you're dealing with the government.

And Washington's profound words I did not hear on CNN, but from another supporter. Another American, who, like Ron Paul, is silently keeping the flame of liberty alive and passing it to other supporters - one by one. Thanks to the internet, that process is happening much faster! But it cannot happen fast enough. Every day in many ways, the government's power is getting stronger and stronger. Just one minor, but bizarre and illuminating fact is that raw milk sales are illegal in many states. WTF?

I'm not a raw milk drinker (or a milk drinker at all) but shouldn't people be able to decide for themselves? "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help. Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to put that bottle of milk down, or I'm going to have to arrest you. Please don't force me to taze you."

* * *

So that's what I've been doing. Sorry for not keeping the site updated! The last time I saw Dr. Paul in person, he encouraged me to write it all out in a book - "It would certainly be an interesting perspective," he said.

So that is the next project. If anyone out there is a book agent, or knows one, please contact me. I've got a busy two weeks ahead, but in my mind, the book is already written. I'll try to keep B!NB updated with news as I can, but please check in with me at the DP for the latest updates!

Your comments are welcome below.

Best regards,

Michael Nystrom
Editor
www.dailypaul.com
www.bullnotbull.com