by Beck, Glenn
In deciding to partner with Harriet on the book, and then eventually publish it with Simon & Schuster, I hoped that people would read the novel, do their own homework, and then pass it along. Fortunately, hundreds of thousands of people did just that. Now, two years after the first novel was released, much has changed. A grassroots campaign, which was already under way well before the novel was published, became even more energized. This campaign was influential in educating both politicians and voters on the issue and, in many cases, outright stopping the progress of Agenda 21–related laws and regulations at the local level.
Slowly but surely, minds began to change about these seemingly innocuous “sustainability” schemes. People who had no idea that a UN program could impact their own city laws and regulations realized that everything from “land use” plans to “smart growth” programs to energy efficiency efforts like smart-meter requirements all fit under this massive Agenda 21 umbrella.
Because of these grassroots efforts, many cities and states have formally expressed their opposition to Agenda 21, either by passing laws banning the implementation of its related initiatives, or by dropping out of the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), which is the primary group that facilitates the local implementation of Agenda 21.
There is still plenty more to be done, but even educating people on the basics has proven to be successful. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which is about as politically far-left a group as you’ll find, has admitted that anti–Agenda 21 activists are making serious inroads into blocking projects. In their report “Agenda of Fear,” they wrote, “Supporters of smart-growth and anti-sprawl initiatives should study the Battle of Baldwin County. It was a rout—for the other side.” That’s great news for those of us who are on that “other side”: our efforts are working!
If you are reading this sequel before you have read the first book, you’re likely curious about the real Agenda 21 and how much of the story you just read is based on fact. The following offers a brief outline, but a more thorough overview, complete with a resource guide, is included in the afterword to the original novel, which I highly encourage you to read. (Some of the below is excerpted from that afterword.)
As I did in the previous novel, let me first reiterate a few things for the benefit of people who believe that publishing a novel somehow means that I believe that everything in it must be true. This is obviously a work of fiction. The point of a story like this is not to scare people or to somehow get my “real” beliefs out there by calling it fiction, but to get people to start thinking critically about the real issues we are dealing with—both at a national level, and, perhaps more important, at a local one. I think this series of novels does a great job with that because it forces readers to imagine a world where all the nice-sounding things that we think we want come to fruition. It’s great to say, for example, that mankind is responsible for a warming climate, or that we are using too much water—but what happens when we try to use government to “fix” those things? Agenda 21 takes that line of thought to its extreme end, and, in doing so, forces all of us to think about what grand pronouncements regarding the reduction of mankind’s environmental footprint really mean.
WHAT IS AGENDA 21?
Agenda 21 is a United Nations program designed to foster “sustainable development,” which is the idea that we must decrease humanity’s imprint on the environment. Agenda 21’s history is tied to the UN and Canadian billionaire Maurice Strong through various Earth-related conferences, originating at the 1972 Stockholm Earth Summit.
In the first book we boiled all of Agenda’s 21 various documents and proclamations down to a list of nine basic goals:
1. Move citizens off private land and into high-density urban housing.
2. Create vast wilderness spaces inhabited by large carnivores.
3. Reduce traffic congestion and slash fuel use by eliminating cars and creating “walkable” cities.
4. Support chosen private businesses with public funds to be used for “sustainable development.”
5. Make policy decisions that favor the greater good over individuals.
6. Drastically reduce the use of power, water, and anything that creates “carbon pollution.”
7. Use bureaucracies to make sweeping decisions outside of democratic processes.
8. Increase taxes, fees, and regulations.
9. Implement policies meant to incentivize a reduced population (i.e., “one-child” type laws).
The 1972 UN Earth Summit resulted in something called the “Stockholm Declaration,” which was essentially an action plan consisting of twenty-six principles and seven proclamations, the last of which read:
[Achieving our environmental goals] will demand the acceptance of responsibility by citizens and communities and by enterprises and institutions at every level, all sharing equitably in common efforts.
More than forty years later, this has morphed into the UN’s official definition of Agenda 21, which is included right on the cover of their program:
Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment.
Both definitions agree that Agenda 21 will need cooperation at every level of government. The UN also makes it clear that that we must address every area where humans have an impact on the environment. The problem, of course, is that that encompasses almost everything we do in life. Try to think of something you do on a daily basis that does not “impact” the environment in some way. It’s almost impossible. The simple act of turning on a light switch, taking a shower, or driving to get a coffee has an impact, let alone flying in an airplane or using your air conditioner.
These definitions of Agenda 21 are ridiculously (and intentionally) vague because the overall point of all of this is for us to eventually cede control over nearly every facet of our lives for the sake of the environment.
IMPLEMENTATION
Implementation of Agenda 21 happens via such global “independent” agencies like ICLEI, the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. The U.S. version of this (ICLEI USA) uses various means to implement their programs. According to their website (see: icleiusa.org) more than six hundred American land-use bodies have joined and are given training, tools, and programs. Here is how they describe themselves:
ICLEI USA was launched in 1995 and has grown from a handful of local governments participating in a pilot project to a solid network of more than 600 cities, towns and counties actively striving to achieve tangible reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and create more sustainable communities. ICLEI USA is the domestic leader on climate protection and adaptation, and sustainable development at the local government level.
Facing criticism, ICLEI has deleted its publicly available list of member cities. (You can find a cached version of the list from July 2013 here: http://bit.ly/1w5klWr.)
In December 2012, Indiana State Representative Tim Neese introduced a bill to block implementation of UN “Agenda 21” policies. The Bill (HB 1021) stated:
An Indiana governmental entity may not adopt or implement: (1) certain policy recommendations relating to the United Nations’ 1992 ‘Agenda 21’ conference on the environment and development that deliberately or inadvertently infringe on or restricts private property rights without due process . . . (See: http://bit.ly/1w5l4qO)
Alabama has also been a leader in this area. On May 6, 2012, the legislature passed Senate Bill 477, titled “Due Process for Property Rights Act.” The law was approved unanimously by the House and Senate and later signed by the governor (See: http://bit.ly/1w5lgGr).
In Missouri, State Rep Lyle Rowland submitted a bill to block Agenda 21 in December 2012, remarking, “What I’ve heard is, they think it’s a hidden agenda that being adhered to by some areas. . . . What we’re saying is, in this particular bill, that we don’t want any of [Agenda 21] com
ing in to the state of Missouri.”
In January 2013, Washington State legislators introduced House Bill 1165, which reads:
Since the UN has accredited and enlisted numerous nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations to assist in the implementation of its policies relative to Agenda 21 around the world, the state of Washington and all political subdivisions may not enter into any agreement, expend any sum of money, or receive funds contracting services or giving financial aid to or from the nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations defined in Agenda 21. (See: http://1.usa.gov/1w5lnBM)
Similar bills have been submitted in Virginia, Maine, Oklahoma, and Kentucky, where Sen. John Schikel, the bill’s sponsor, said, “The people of Kentucky don’t want international groups dictating to us what environmental policy should be.”
Cities and counties are also attempting to stop Agenda 21 by reasoning that parts of it violate local laws. One example is from Oklahoma, where, citing property rights and due process, the Mustang City Council voted down building codes originating in UN Agenda 21 standards (See: http://bit.ly/1w5lBJg). The residents seemed unusually well-informed on the subject, undoubtedly the result of activists working to educate people prior to the hearing. The Fairbanks, Alaska, and Menifee, California, city councils also approved anti–Agenda 21 resolutions in 2013 (See: http://bit.ly/1w5lH3q).
In Cobb County, Georgia, a local board decided it would not accept Agenda 21–related strings that were attached to federal grants. Among other things, these grants demanded that the county operate bilingual services for non–English speakers, create community gardens, and ensure pedestrian and bicycle access in and around bus stops. Resident Bill Hudson remarked, “There’s nothing that’s on the excellence list that is not Agenda 21 in spades. . . . The counties, the cities, the state government, the school boards, they’re all just hooked on grant money like crack cocaine.”
In February 2014, the St. Lucie, Florida, Board of County Commissioners rejected the Seven50 plan (See: http://bit.ly/1w5lOMD), an Agenda 21 clone that would’ve served as a kind of master plan for seven different Florida counties. According to an article about the plan’s defeat, the mayor had attended a briefing by Seven50 supporters in which they claimed that only “mega regions” were important, that the Florida counties that would fall under the partnership would “have someone to control them,” and that “Fascism is the best form of government to implement these changes.” (See: http://bit.ly/1w5mbXz)
CONCLUSION
What can we learn from Agenda 21 resistance activities over the last few years? A few important lessons stand out. First, most of those touting “sustainability” and “smart growth” plans have no idea as to the source of those concepts. Educating local politicians is not about “indoctrinating” them to a specific ideology, it’s about ensuring that they truly understand the origins and long-term goals of the things they are supporting.
The second lesson is that, regardless of education, intelligence, or how well the arguments are presented, those who are willing to stand up will be treated as part of the “tin foil hat” club. The very nature of propaganda campaigns is to demonize foes as ignorant fools—and this one is no different.
Next, it’s clear that resistance is not futile. In fact, it’s just the opposite—real progress has been made by ordinary people who are willing to educate themselves and their neighbors. The nice part about a plan that requires implementation locally to succeed is that it can also be fought locally. This is not about calling your senator or signing a White House petition, it’s about attending committee meetings at your town hall, or having coffee with your mayor.
Finally, remember that, in the minds of the UN and other Agenda 21 supporters, this is a battle for nothing less than control over the future of humanity. They will not give up on that easily—and neither should we.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
* * *
Harriet
Grateful appreciation goes to:
My family, the most loyal cheerleaders in the world;
Carlow University’s supportive fiction writing division of Madwomen in the Attic, mentored by the amazing Evelyn Pierce;
Editors Emily Bestler, Megan Reid, Kevin Balfe, Kate Albers, Hannah Beck, and copyeditor Anne Cherry;
Faithful old friends—you know who you are; and those people who reached out to me after reading Agenda 21 and became my new friends—you know who you are. I am blessed by all of you;
And last, but not least, Glenn Beck, for his inspiration and support.
GLENN BECK, the nationally syndicated radio host and founder of TheBlaze television network, is a twelve-time #1 bestselling author and is one of the few authors in history to have had #1 national bestsellers in the fiction, nonfiction, self-help, and children’s picture book genres. His recent fiction works include the thrillers Agenda 21, The Overton Window, and its sequel, The Eye of Moloch; his many nonfiction titles include Conform, Miracles and Massacres, Control, and Being George Washington. For more information about Glenn Beck, his books, and TheBlaze TV network, visit GlennBeck.com and TheBlaze.com.
HARRIET PARKE is a registered nurse who specialized in emergency nursing and Emergency Department management. She has been published in the My Dad Is My Hero anthology, five Voices from the Attic anthologies (published by Carlow University, Pittsburgh, Pa.), the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Pittsburgh Magazine. She has received an honorable mention from an Atlantic Monthly student short fiction writing contest, first place in a Pennwriter’s creative nonfiction contest, and second place in a Pennwriter’s short fiction contest. She is a member of The Madwomen, a Carlow University writing group, and a member of Pennwriters. A wild peacock roosts on her deck anytime he chooses.
FOR MORE ON THESE AUTHORS:
authors.simonandschuster.com/Glenn-Beck
authors.simonandschuster.com/Harriet-Parke
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
SimonandSchuster.com
Facebook.com/ThresholdEditions
@Threshold_Books
ALSO BY GLENN BECK
Dreamers and Deceivers: True Stories of the Heroes and Villains Who Made America
Conform: Exposing the Truth About Common Core and Public Education
Miracles and Massacres: True and Untold Stories of the Making of America
Agenda 21
Control: Exposing the Truth About Guns
Cowards: What Politicians, Radicals, and the Media Refuse to Say
Being George Washington
Snow Angel
The Original Argument
The 7
Broke: The Plan to Restore Our Trust, Truth and Treasure
The Overton Window
Idiots Unplugged: Truth for Those Who Care to Listen (audiobook)
The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book
Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government
Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine
America’s March to Socialism: Why We’re One Step Closer to Giant Missile Parades (audiobook)
The Christmas Sweater
An Inconvenient Book: Real Solutions to the World’s Biggest Problems
The Real America: Early Writings from the Heart and Heartland
We hope you enjoyed reading this Threshold Editions/Mercury Radio Arts eBook.
* * *
Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Threshold Editions/Mercury Radio Arts and Simon & Schuster.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com
Threshold Editions/ Mercury Radio Arts
A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real peopl
e, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2015 by Mercury Radio Arts, Inc.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Threshold Editions Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Threshold Editions/Mercury Radio Arts hardcover edition January 2015
THRESHOLD EDITIONS and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
GLENN BECK is a trademark of Mercury Radio Arts, Inc.
The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.
Jacket design by Jae Song
Photograph of Ferris wheel © Razvan Bucur/Shutterstock
Photograph of roller coaster © Marcio Jose Bastos Silva/Shutterstock
Author photograph by George Lange
ISBN 978-1-4767-4682-1
ISBN 978-1-4767-4685-2 (ebook)