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The “Ron Paul Revolution” isn’t over until Ron Paul says it’s over. And he’s not done yet.
Amid reports that Paul would formally end his presidential campaign, the iconoclastic Texas Republican congressman instead told supporters Thursday night that he intended to lead a “Campaign for Liberty” movement to give libertarians a bigger say within the GOP.
During his campaign over the last year, “something happened . . . I know we struck a chord,” Paul said during a rambling speech at a hotel rally in Houston near the Texas Republican Convention.
Although Paul stopped short of a formal declaration at the rally that his presidential run was over, he acknowledged — as he has before — that he lacked enough delegates to win. Sen. John McCain of Arizona sewed up enough delegates in early March.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Paul characterized his latest move as a “technical change” and said his campaign was “going to shift gears.”
But Paul, 72, had symbolically held off on conceding the nomination and said he did not intend to endorse McCain, with whom he clashed over the Iraq war and other issues.
Paul says he hopes the Campaign for Liberty will harness some of the enthusiasm his campaign generated to force grass-roots reforms on the Republican Party.
“We’ll identify and support political candidates who champion our great ideas against the empty suits the party establishments offer the public,” Paul said in a statement on the Campaign for Liberty website. “We will be a permanent presence on the American political landscape. That I promise you.”
Paul’s most notable achievement in the presidential campaign was the $34 million raised on his behalf, most of it by grass-roots supporters operating outside the campaign itself. That sum was more than twice the amount raised by Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor. At the end of April, Paul still had $4.7 million in the bank.

latimes.com

“People were asking for shirts, so we decided to do it,” said BJ Sabate of Maui Bay and Buti Groove.
You might not have known about the Punahou School connection. Sabate is a 1993 graduate.
He was more than happy to help contribute to a candidate who could be the next president.
The company was asked to sell shirts at the state Democratic convention two weeks ago.
“We donated the proceeds to the campaign and the turnout was crazy. We sold out of all our shirts,” Sabate said.
The machines at the Mapunapuna print shop were in full swing on Tuesday, printing up “I Love Obama” tank tops and Obama totes.
The shirts and other merchandise are all locally printed and exclusive to Hawaii. They are only offered online or at the Piikoi shop.
They went on sale about two months ago. Buti Groove is known for its youthful edgy designs. However, the presidential campaign with local ties is something they had not thought could broaden their reach.
“It’s a great way to bring in different customers and the get to see the shop and we also offer custom printing here,” Sabate said.
“Most of the people who come in here are buying it and shipping it to the mainland and buying it for gifts for people who support him,” Buti Groove retail worker Keika Albarado said.
Back at the plant, the Obama designs are flying off racks.
“I’m sure after tonight there will be more people printing T-shirts,” Sabate said.
The shop hopes to present Obama Ohana T-shirts to the family on their return to the islands.
Copyright 2008 by KITV.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

kitv.com

High floodwaters are seen along the St. John River in Fredericton, N.B. on Wednesday, April 30, 2008.
Updated Wed. Apr. 30 2008 10:04 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Fredericton’s flood levels are expected to match — or even surpass — the worst flood to hit the New Brunswick capital in recorded history, as the St. John River seeps into the city.
Emergency officials are warning those who live along the river between Fredericton and Jemseg — particularly in Maugerville and Jemseg — to get out now.
The river begins to flood at the 6.5-metre mark, but it had reached at least 7.2 metres by late Wednesday. Residents can find updates on the situation here.
“In 1973, we had our 180-year flood which put the city of Fredericton at the 8.6-metre mark,” Bob Martin, the Fredericton fire department’s assistant deputy chief of operations, told CTV Newsnet.
“We’re predicting that sort of landmark will be hit again sometime overnight.”
The 1973 flood caused Fredericton and the surrounding farmland about $78 million in damage, according to the city’s website.
Martin said Fredericton’s schools and city hall will be shut down Thursday, along with parts of downtown. About 40 streets were expected to be under water by later in the week.
Cindy Abbott, a spokesperson for emergency groups working to deal with the flood, said transport vehicles have been sent to help evacuate residents from their homes — if they choose to leave.
“People have to understand — we’re about to exceed the worst flood on record,” she said.
The river could rise to 8.4 metres by Thursday morning.
“It’s either going to be as big as ‘73 or the next best thing to it,” said Andy Morton, deputy director of the province’s Emergency Measures Organization during a Wednesday news conference.
Martin said officials are on standby if the flooding continues to worsen.

ctv.ca

Posted: 9:17 PM- Children living in crowded quarters that led to upper respiratory illnesses. Youngsters plagued with diarrhea from unhealthy foods they usually did not eat. Distressed mothers enduring widespread rudeness - such as flashlights shined in their faces as they tried to sleep.
Mental health professionals who helped care for FLDS women and children in the weeks after an April raid on the YFZ Ranch describe conditions and treatment they perceived as harsh and unnecessary.
“Never in all my life, and I am one of the older ladies, have I been so ashamed of being a Texan and seeing what and how our government agencies treat people,” wrote one employee of Hill Country Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center in an unsigned statement.
Texas contracts with Hill Country to provide mental health services during disasters. Staff members met with the center’s board of trustees last week, leaving them “spellbound.” The board has gathered nine written statements critical of Child Protective Services.
Chairman John Kight said he wants state legislators and the governor to hear the employees’ stories. “You have damaged these children for their lives,” he said. “This is an agency that looks like it’s gone out of control.” A Texas CPS spokesman acknowledged the allegations were “very serious” and said they are being investigated. But he
noted the women and children were held at a historic fort and a convention center in San Angelo in an unusual emergency situation.
“It was as comfortable as possible under the circumstances,” said Patrick Crimmins. “But you have to remember it was a shelter, it was temporary arrangement until we could arrange for foster care for the children.”
The raid was triggered by a claim of abuse at the ranch, home to members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a polygamous sect traditionally based on the Utah-Arizona border. A baby born today brought the total of children in state custody to 465.

sltrib.com

ACTOR Jack P Shepherd is preparing for another battering as soap’s most evil character reaches a new low.
Friday will see Corrie’s warped David Platt push mum Gail down the stairs – then step over her prone body as he runs away.
Jack, 20, explains that soap fans often blur the line between reality and fiction – and says he is attacked by old ladies with HANDBAGS because of his storylines.
He admits: “It’s always the little old ladies who have a go at me.
“Younger people think David is great but the grannies attack me with their handbags.
“What is it with grannies and their handbags? They should be given Asbos!
“They call me a ‘tinker’, and a few other more – shall we say – colourful words that you probably couldn’t print in a family newspaper.
“I scare children, too. They’ve been known to burst into tears just at the sight of me.
“I know I’ll get more of that next week. They want to know why I’m so awful to my mum so these scenes will really get them going.
“I get a lot of reaction from all sorts of people when I’m out and about but it’s generally in good humour so it doesn’t bother me.”

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