On the morning of August 10, I was awakened by a local radio talk show caller asking the question, "Where could a person find a copy of the constitution?" Another caller later stated, "You'll find constitutions at the Eastman gun show at the Macon Centerplex today." All constitutionalists know that if a constitution could be found anywhere, it's at a gun show, full of firearms vendors and customers who are concerned about losing their rights under the Constitution, notably, the second amendment. But there were to be no constitutions at this show. When I called to reserve a table for the Citizens' Defense League, the promoter said he didn't want any "bomb making" books or literature that promoted "hate" in his shows. I explained over the phone the books that we were making available: Citizen's Rule Books (which includes the constitution), You & the Police (an instruction manual about how not to surrender your rights), two government pamphlets (about survival, and fighting terrorism), a pamphlet on psycho-politics, and a flyer on being a fully informed juror. But he didn't want the "militia image" at his show. The money collected was to be used for the Robert Starr defense fund. Starr is the Georgia militiaman who previously attended the Eastman gun shows, and using his own personal resources, handed out information, educating customers on protecting the rights of gun owners, vendors, and even gun show promoters at gun shows throughout Georgia. On April 26, Robert Starr, and Jimmie McCranie (and later, Troy Spain) were arrested for allegedly making pipe bombs. All are being held without bond pending trial, leaving their families virtually penniless since neither Starr, McCranie, nor Spain can work. Starr's has an all- volunteer defense team. Part of his team, including myself, were to work the tables to defend a man who until his arrest, helped defend others. Assuming that there were no problems, we learned that Saturday morning that we were not allowed to have a table at this show. "I don't want that type of stuff here", was his words. Shocked and upset, I went home but returned later. As a previous vendor at numerous gun shows in at least eight states, and a man who has defended the right of gun show and other promoters to sell as they chose (in front of local, regional, and even national media), I knew he had the right (and responsibility) to protect the "image". As I met customers in the aisles looking for pocket constitutions and the "militia table", I counted hundreds of people, and at least five different vendors who had several different government- printed bomb making books on display, ranging from $5 to about $15 in price. One government- printed bomb making book in particular, was on display at least six times. There were also books available on how to make boobytraps, chemical poisons, silencers, fireworks, and how to convert a semi-automatic rifle into a fully-automatic rifle in a few easy steps. Other military manuals were also available. Page 73 of one book instructed the reader on how to build a pipe bomb similar to what was used in the tragedy at Centennial Park during the Olympics. Then I saw a roll of cannon fuse at another table. A few tables later I found several one pound cans of smokeless powder. Purchasing these items, along with a one mile drive to the hardware store would have provided all the materials listed on page 73. One book which was available on two tables called "The Turner Diaries", is a story of an upcoming race war, and advocates violence against blacks and Jews. As I believe that every vendor has the first amendment right to display what they wish, the hypocrisy of this gun show leads me to question, who's "image" is he trying to protect? Law enforcement, elected officials, and other groups are waging a hopeless battle to catch and punish homegrown bomb makers, and monitor the sale of explosive ingredients. But with public information about bomb making so widespread, the focus should be stopping the reason for making the bomb, not just the bomb itself. Fortunately, most people don't have a reason. People who are concerned about their rights, learn what their constitutional rights are and secure them using more civil means. Unlike the "Heart of Georgia" and most other gun shows, Eastman provides you with an arsenal of firearms and plenty of knowledge about "hate" and "bomb making". But you won't find any Constitutions... Because the Militia can't have a table there. J.J. Johnson Citizens' Defense League/ Georgia Militia Spokesman Copies sent to the editorial departments of: Atlanta Journal & Constitution Macon Telegraph Albany Herald Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Dalton Citizen-News The Times (Gainesville) Marrietta Daily Journal Savannah Morning News