The 9-12 Project of Central PA

"You Are NOT Alone!"

I would first like to thank everyone, personally, for your participation in this movement. I had a chance to speak briefly at the last meeting about the fulfillment that I have received, just by knowing that there are other people in my community who care as deeply about our founding Principles as I do. This has been a cathartic moment in my life, to know that I am not alone in my beliefs and values. And for that, I am indebted to all of you.

Now I would like to pay-it-forward to others, so they to can find that we do, in fact, Surround Them. However, one thing that I'm having a hard time with is succinctly describing what, and more importantly, WHO we are.

To that vein, I think it would be very beneficial for us to develop a mission statement. I want to start this post to get everyone's ideas, and then we can distill it down into something concise and engaging. This is something that I hope we can put up for vote by our next meeting.

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Karen, a great start!

I do have some thoughts on editing, though. First, why the prominent use of the word "peacefully"? I'm of the opinion that if the nation is in trouble, and if I need to take up arms to defend it, I will. I don't seek a confrontation, but I will defend myself if attacked. That's the sole purpose of the second amendment, and it's one that has been lost to a great extent.

Using "peacefully" so prominently, especially with the repetition, it makes it look like we're some sort of pacifist group. I'm not a pacifist, and I suspect a large number of other members are not, either. With all the revolutionary imagery of tea parties and such, it's kind of odd. If you want peace, prepare for war. It's not just a cliche, it's the truth. Certainly we come together in peace and don't wish a conflict, so there might be a better way to include that.

"Amen" at the end? Is this a prayer? I'm a Christian myself, but I think it's inappropriate to place that in the mission statement. It's distracting, if nothing else.

The word "equal" has political implications, too, and the way it's used implies equal outcome, not equal opportunity.

"Ensure" is the proper word, which means "to take action to guarantee that something happens."

My degree is in poetry, actually, so I tend to think that important things can be stated simply and elegantly. To that end, things like mission statements need to be pared down to their essentials. Details can come in later documents and extensions that grow over time in a body of work that comes to define the group.

The great mistake is to make a mission statement so precise as to defy its own purpose, and to bloat it down with details that it can't possible hold. Where possible, I'd prefer to use the phrasing of Jefferson and Locke, which is already rich with connotation. How can we say it any better? If we can do that without is sounding cliche or corny, I think we'd have a great start.

Here's my first stab at some edits to whittle it down:

"We The People of the 912 Project pledge to defend and protect our Republic and to affirm The Constitution of the United States and The Bill of Rights. We come together in peace to ensure and to protect our inalienable rights, our freedom and to secure the blessings of liberty."

I think we can all agree on at least those principles, and anybody who is like-minded will immediately identify the mind-set we're looking for. Do we really need anything more? Can we pare it down even more?
I am all for the second ammendment, but if this group is about taking up arms then I am in the wrong group and I suspect many others are as well. It is my understand this is a group dedicated to making a difference in a legal and peaceful manner.
Who said anything about the group being formed to take up arms? I certainly didn't.

I'll try again...

When "peaceful" is in our mission statement twice, it makes us sound like granola-eating hippies, if I may be so bold. If you want to attract more pacifist followers of Ghandi, by all means, keep the emphasis on "peace and love". As for me, I don't think that "peace" is our raison d'etre—making our government responsive to the people is.

I am all for peace—to whit—I included "we come together in peace" in the edits I made. I would prefer, simply, to not focus on peace so much, just as I think the inclusion of "Amen" isn't appropriate to such a statement.

I guess that I just don't see why it needs to be doubly emphasized as a tenet in the mission statement, in favor of...oh, I don't know...individual responsibility or states' rights...which don't appear at all.

Now, what I did say was that I will not rule out the use of the second amendment if appropriate. The mission statement, as previously written, did just that, whether intentionally or not.

To summarize....the action of removing the redundant use of "peaceful" in no way implies the opposite. To infer as much is non sequitur.

On the art of writing and editing...

My degree is in English, and I was an active journalist for several years, so I think about these things a bit differently from most people.

I also realize that authors don't like having their words changed. As an author, neither do I! ...but in order to make the best mission statement possible, we will need to analyze the meaning from the eye of an editor, not as an author or ideologue. We need to step back and look at the statement for what it is, and that's what I'm suggesting. Words have meaning, and we need to match those words with the intended meaning. It's nothing personal, it's just the process of editing.
Let's try this . . . . as was stated prior . .. . the mission statement should be short. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights covers a lot so I don't think all our grievances need to be addressed in a mission statement. We can add a list of objective, goals, directive or whatever you want to call it in an additional statement.

I concede, there may have been an extra peaceful but we can not have a mission statement as a group that does not say peaceful. The mission statement should serve as a guide for all that we do as a group. If you feel the need for any other action, then this is not the group for you.

I agree Amen is not necessary. I welcome all suggestions. I would love to have more suggestions, recommendations and etc from others.


Lead by The Constitution of the United States, inspired by the 9/12 Project, We The People, together, as individuals, though peaceful organization, unite as equal Americans to insure our inalienable rights and freedoms are forever preserved. We assemble for the common good, holding Government accountable to We The People, assuring fiscal responsibility, preserving our nation's sovereignty, respecting and honoring The Constitution of the United States and The Bill of Rights. We defend and protect our Republic. Bound by common values and principles, we vow to forever preserve, the land of the free and the home of the brave!
I believe it is importaint to explicitly state rather then only imply that the RIGHTS OF ALL PEOPLE are IMPORTAINT should be woven into the text of our mission statement.

We are neither a right or left or independent organization - we are an American organization.

While I am not advocating a littany of complaints or demands IF that were to be part of the mission statement then I would additionally submit adding:: economic rights are individual human rights.

Karen Clark said:
Let's try this . . . . as was stated prior . .. . the mission statement should be short. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights covers a lot so I don't think all our grievances need to be addressed in a mission statement. We can add a list of objective, goals, directive or whatever you want to call it in an additional statement.

I concede, there may have been an extra peaceful but we can not have a mission statement as a group that does not say peaceful. The mission statement should serve as a guide for all that we do as a group. If you feel the need for any other action, then this is not the group for you.

I agree Amen is not necessary. I welcome all suggestions. I would love to have more suggestions, recommendations and etc from others.


Lead by The Constitution of the United States, inspired by the 9/12 Project, We The People, together, as individuals, though peaceful organization, unite as equal Americans to insure our inalienable rights and freedoms are forever preserved. We assemble for the common good, holding Government accountable to We The People, assuring fiscal responsibility, preserving our nation's sovereignty, respecting and honoring The Constitution of the United States and The Bill of Rights. We defend and protect our Republic. Bound by common values and principles, we vow to forever preserve, the land of the free and the home of the brave!
OK . . . here we go again . . .comments please!


Lead by The Constitution of the United States, inspired by the 9/12 Project, We The People, together, as individuals, though peaceful organization, unite as Patriotic Americans, all with equal rights and voice, to insure our inalienable rights and freedoms are forever preserved. We assemble for the common good, holding Government accountable to We The People, assuring fiscal responsibility, preserving our nation's sovereignty, respecting and honoring The Constitution of the United States and The Bill of Rights. We defend and protect our Republic. Bound by common values and principles, we vow to forever preserve, the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Love it! Great job Karen and John! I see one typo. In the first sentence, you have "though" and I think you meant "through".

Karen Clark said:
OK . . . here we go again . . .comments please!


Lead by The Constitution of the United States, inspired by the 9/12 Project, We The People, together, as individuals, though peaceful organization, unite as Patriotic Americans, all with equal rights and voice, to insure our inalienable rights and freedoms are forever preserved. We assemble for the common good, holding Government accountable to We The People, assuring fiscal responsibility, preserving our nation's sovereignty, respecting and honoring The Constitution of the United States and The Bill of Rights. We defend and protect our Republic. Bound by common values and principles, we vow to forever preserve, the land of the free and the home of the brave!
I've got so many versions going here . . . I getting a little confused and my last one did not post :-(
Here's another one:-)


Lead by The Constitution of the United States of America, inspired by the 9/12 Project, We The People, together, as individuals, through peaceful organization, unite as Patriotic Americans, with equal and inalienable rights and voice, to forever protect and defend, our freedoms and the glory of our Republic. We hold Government accountable to We The People, assuring fiscal responsibility, national sovereignty, respecting and honoring The Constitution of the United States, The Bill of Rights and the rights of all individuals as equals.. Bound by common values and principles, we vow to forever preserve, the land of the free and the home of the brave!► Reply to This
Excellent, Karen. Thanks for taking this on. One thought: since we mention the Constitution twice, I thought we could change the first phrase to something like, "Guided by America's Founding principles... " or something like that. It speaks a little more broadly to our values as a group and might help the overall flow.

My two cents, submitted for your consideration. Mission statements are difficult, because they must be broad enough to encompass the scope of the group's activities, but still have to actually SAY something. This one strikes a nice balance, I think. Thanks again!
huuummm .. . I will have to do some rethinking .. . I have one member who strongly feels the Constitution needs to be the leading line, but I do agreee there is some redundancy and I did think about addressing the founding fathers or principiles . . . so I will try another version in a bit. As always I appreciate the suggestions
OK . . . let's try something a little different . . . below are two more options . . . either or neihter nor??? Input please!

Lead by The Constitution of the United States of America, inspired by the 9/12 Project, We The People, together, as individuals, through peaceful organization, unite as Patriotic Americans, with equal and inalienable rights and voice, to forever protect and defend, our freedoms and the glory of our Republic. We hold Government accountable to We The People, assuring fiscal responsibility, national sovereignty, respecting and honoring the vision of the Founding Fathers, The Bill of Rights and the rights of all individuals as equals. Bound by common values and principles, we vow to forever preserve, the land of the free and the home of the brave!►


OR

Guided by the founding principles of our great Republic, inspired by the 9/12 Project, We The People, together, as individuals, through peaceful organization, unite as Patriotic Americans, with equal and inalienable rights and voice, to forever protect and defend, our liberties and our freedoms, as envisioned by our Founding Fathers. We hold Government accountable to We The People, assuring fiscal responsibility, national sovereignty, respecting and honoring The Constitution of the United States of America, The Bill of Rights and the rights of all individuals as equals. Bound by common values and principles, we vow to forever preserve, the land of the free and the home of the brave!►

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