On Saturday, thousands of conservative and libertarian grassroots activists gathered in Louisville, Kentucky for FreePAC Kentucky. Hosted by FreedomWorks, the event featured conservative pundits, politicians, entrepreneurs, and community leaders offering solutions to the problems that face our nation. From TheBlaze's Andrew Wilkow to Kentucky senate candidate Matt Bevin, FreedomWorks president Matt Kibbe to Reverend C.L. Bryant, the day's speakers sought to provide the tools and techniques needed to "take America back from the Washington establishment."
Glenn delivered an impassioned keynote address to an enthusiastic crowd in which he outlined why we must learn to understand our history before we can work to restore our nation.
"We don't know our own history," Glenn said as he showed the audience a handful of historical artifacts from his collection. "We have seen these times before. History tells the story."
The story of Iva Toguri (aka Tokyo Rose) is one that has been lost and distorted many times over. But, as Glenn explained, it is important to teach our children the truth so that we can understand she was in fact a hero not a traitor. How did her story become so sensationalized? The government and media needed a scapegoat during a trying time in our nation's history.
"This happened because the media and big government decided they needed food. They needed some story to tell," Glenn explained. "Unless you have people in media who are true to the truth, unless you people in government who are true to the truth, it happens again."
As Glenn worked his way through the collection, it became clear that history is easily manipulated. History is easily changed. But we cannot blame the United States as a country. Instead, it is the American people who are corruptible.
"It was the people that lost their way," Glenn said as he shared the story of Toguri, "not the principles behind the country."
Glenn read an excerpt from a book written by Thomas Edison around the time funding for motion pictures was being sought. In the book, Edison explains the power of motion picture, for he believed with video capturing history in real time nothing could be distorted. Sadly, we have come to realize that this is not the case. And Glenn blames the persistence and foothold of the progressive movement for the manipulation. Edison didn't truly understand the progressive movement or the influence of the media and university system.
Today, we have seen the progressive movement infect both parties. But, as the FreePAC event so wonderfully demonstrated, there is a talented, passionate, and articulate crop of small government, liberty minded Americans who are willing and ready to go to Washington and fight the good fight.
"These are the people we have begged for. These are the men and women we have prayed for. We need to go and convince our friends and our neighbors they are here. We cannot get tired," Glenn said. "Big government is a philosophy in both parties, period. It is antithetical to the American system, period. These are the beginnings of miracles. It requires us to stand. It requires us to get hit."
Glenn concluded his remarks by quoting a passage from the Disneyland Prospectus he won at auction in 2010:
Disneyland will be based upon and dedicated to the ideals, the dreams and hard facts that have created America. And it will be uniquely equipped to dramatize those dreams and facts and send them forth as a source of courage and inspiration to all the world.
"I challenge you to know what you believe in and then hold fast to it," Glenn said. "I challenge you to know the hard facts, the ideas, the ideals that founded this country. Internalize them, live them, preach them, and send them forth as a source of inspiration to the world."
Throughout the speech Glenn referred back to a theme found in the Gospel of John in which Jesus reveals himself to his disciples and his miracles are discussed. Glenn emphatically stated that if we continue to stand exactly where we are supposed to stand, God will take care of the rest.
"I testify to you today," Glenn declared. "This is the beginning of miracles."
Watch Glenn's speech below: