Perhaps
this is what Keyes should continue west after he leaves Illinois. Or maybe it's what he's already doing; Illinois is just a stop along the way:
STRATEGY FOR A POSSIBLE CROSS-COUNTRY TREK
Doc Taylor
Ambassador Keyes has already shown a degree of interest in the idea of a "wagon train" to bring media, grassroots, and establishment attention to the cause of American Renewal. In the absence of other opportunities that would give his cause sufficiently wide public attention, a well-conceived wagon train could fill the need.
The idea would be to stage a meaningful show of original Declarationist values through a rustic trek that would capture the imagination of the public...
Suggestions for a cross-country wagon train follow:
The trek should go from east to west, mimicking the migration of our nation.
It should follow one or more of the classic old highways, enabling the trek to avoid major thoroughfares. It should stop at least a day or so at each major city along the route--perhaps making 25 such stops altogether--where a significant speech would be scheduled far in advance. At least half of these speeches should be at relatively large venues, if possible.
The trek should run two to three months in early or late summer, when the weather is relatively mild. Its itinerary would need to be very carefully planned, to avoid surprises or miscalculations. One serious blunder in the planned route could spell disaster.
The length of the trip, and the time planned for it, would depend mainly on the funds available to stage it. If funds are tight, the trip could begin in the midwest (perhaps near the Mississippi River) and end in Idaho, Utah, or Arizona. Otherwise, it could go virtually coast to coast. Again, the bigger the trek, the greater its impact on the nation.
Ambassador Keyes would lead the trek. But he should be supported by a sizable company of other national and state leaders, all of whom would spend a day or two with the train, in rotation. Dr. Keyes himself would not need to stay with the train constantly, but could merely join the excursion on selected weekends, to accommodate his TV show and other obligations. In his absence, at least two or three nationally-prominent political, social, or religious leaders at a time should be scheduled to lead the train. Various principled sports, entertainment, cultural, and other celebrities could also be lined up to lend their support.
The train would be overseen by several veteran outdoor and livestock specialists.
The entourage should include about 15-20 horse-drawn wagons, a couple dozen riding horses, 30-50 regular support people, several motor homes (with cars in tow), a police escort (as much as possible from each city or region), and support equipment like a good PA, generators, cooking facilities, medical supplies, tents, etc. Appropriate permits would need to be secured in advance to avoid snags. Adequate insurance would also need to be arranged.
...
The most challenging problem in staging a nationwide trek would be security, especially with the very real threat of terrorism. ... State National Guard units could even be called in to protect vast open areas. A logistical challenge, to be sure. But if this monumental hurdle of security can be solved, the event would take on added public importance because of that security--drawing interest far beyond what we can imagine. The American public will have never seen anything of its kind.
To justify the exceptional security, the event should invite the participation of as large a contingency of patriotic public servants and celebrities as possible. It should also be billed as a proud display of American idealism in the face of terrorist fear.
Update: Winning the bad joke of the day contest is So-Called Austin Mayor:
The entourage should include about 15-20 horse-drawn wagons.
They might as well make it a mule train since we know it will have at least one jackass.
Hee-haw!
