Often I have wondered what will happen, how I will
react, when the government finally decides that I have
something that they want, or that I have done something
wrong by speaking freely, or that they just plain want me
out of the way. I think back to that day in Florida,
shortly after I returned from Waco when I was arrested on
a bench warrant. The warrant was issued because the judge
said that I failed to appear. I had attempted to get a
continuance while in Waco. The state had been granted a
continuance before then, but I was denied. I had no idea
that the warrant had been issued. Then, early one morning
there was a phone call. I answered to silence and sensed
something. Just a few minutes later I glanced up from my
desk and saw two black uniforms as the double glass door
burst open. I had a pistol just inches from my right
hand, and glanced at it as I stood up. The officers, who
were both aiming their automatic pistols at my head, said
"hands up." I complied, and as I moved toward
them they failed to see the pistol. I was arrested and
taken to jail. Ironically, the issue was a misdemeanor,
which is still not resolved, and the damage to the door
greatly exceeded the maximum fine.
So, why do I bring this up? Well, I suppose that, as I
think back on that incident (rather frequently, I might
add), I wonder if my decision was the right one. Should I
have stood firm and defended my right? Will I do the same
when the next effort to arrest me comes? Must we judge
the significance of the issue before that decision can be
made? Must that judgment be made at the time the incident
occurs? At what point will our mindset be such that we
recognize the significance of the cause and the need for
"deadly force"?
I have, as I'm sure we all have, heard the bravado
talk of how we all intend to deal with the situation when
it arises. I know, too, that the thought of squeezing the
trigger on a human being is a very hard squeeze. I
remember how, for me, even after over two years of
conditioning by the Army, and the knowledge that the
combat situation warranted the action, both legally and
morally, the act itself was a difficult one to execute.
And even how, after doing so before, I still think of the
requirements that must be met before a man of faith can
take such action.
Let's look at past events. According to a letter
purported to be from Gordon Kahl, he, and others with
him, stood ready, but refused to fire until the second
shot had hit Yuri Kahl. Randy Weaver, Kevin Harris and
Sammy Weaver, all refrained from firing until they were
fired upon by the U.S. Marshals, and their allies. In
Waco there is little doubt that the Branch Davidians
fired only after a fusillade of bullets had been sent to
take their lives.
Why is it that we must fire last? This thought leaves
us bound, by moral principles, to subject ourselves to
arrest, where no shots are fired, or to death, if the
attacker's accuracy is above their current average. What
is required for us to develop the mindset that is
necessary to wage this battle to come with the practical
"functionability" necessary to fight, and win,
against the oppressor?
More recently, two patriots who fled Florida from
government court convictions, fled only after realizing
that to die resisting arrest would serve little useful
purpose. Just a few months later they faced a
confrontation with a law enforcement officer who was
willing to deny them their Liberty. The result is that
they are making their sacrifice for the cause. If justice
does prevail, they will again be free and walking amongst
us. The court record will send a message to all law
enforcement officers that there is a limit to their
authority, as there is a limit to the authority of the
Congress in denying our liberty. George and Lynda have
begun the battle that we all have anticipated, the battle
for the resurrection of the Constitution. Will we let
their sacrifice be complete, should justice fail?
The process that we need to begin to impose upon
ourselves is a conditioning process that is a necessity
for a man of moral conviction to conduct himself in a
moral manner. It is not merely a matter of saying that we
will, when the time comes, do the job that is necessary.
If this were the case it would be equally easy to submit,
when that time comes, saying that it is a different
circumstance than what existed in the scenario that we
had developed in our minds. We might excuse our actions,
or lack thereof, by saying that it is God's will that the
circumstances changed, and that we felt compelled to
submit. This sort of action presents the wrong model for
those that are watching, and listening, and heeding our
actions. This serves, as the old adage goes, as nothing
more than a bad example. If God has called upon us to
change our plans, then that will be known before the
situation arises. To plea that at the last minute
circumstances changed is to excuse our actions rather
than to have a just reason for the actions. One reason
might be that we were caught off guard and unable to
properly respond, which would warrant, if we were not
arrested, taking the battle to the next level, as have
George and Lynda. Another just reason, for many might be
that they have fought long and hard and are tiring of the
battle. Another reason might be that the "battle
plan" does not call for confrontation on the part of
a particular person. These proclamations warrant a
predisposition. If this is your position, so state now.
If your position is one (as most of us express it to be)
of physical resistance to tyranny, then so state your
position, and so live, or die, by that position. Do not
let false bravado create yet another bad example for the
rest of us.
There are many who have fought long and hard. They
will be able to serve in many capacities in the struggle
yet to come. Let them now so state their position. When I
was in Vietnam, I realized that there was a man on point.
There was another man back in the states stuffing
"C" rations in a box. Both were equally
necessary to conduct the "war" that was going
on. The actions of one did not take away from, but rather
added to the probability of the actions of the first to
succeed in his task. The same is true today. There are
many that are more suited to support the activities of
others than to conduct those activities themselves. They
will be as necessary as any other as the battle lines are
drawn, and crossed. Food, shelter, refuge, supplies,
comfort, encouragement, finance, prayers and faith are
among what they will have to offer. Those that choose, on
the other hand, to fight the battles will realize, in
short order, the necessity of having that support when it
is needed. The important aspect is that we need to make
the determination NOW as to what role we, each of us,
will take, at least for the time being.
This does not preclude a change in the future, based
upon change in circumstance, change in mindset, or any
other cause for change. Changes, however, should be acts
of conscience based upon practicality rather than
reactions to immediate circumstance. Each and every one
of us should strive to be a proper role model in the
capacity that we have chosen to present ourselves. We
need to stand firm in that role while we present
ourselves in that manner. If that role is
confrontational, then we must recognize that tomorrow may
not come, and our service may result in our passage from
the battle to our final rest. We must realize that the
chance to say goodbye to friends and loved ones may have
passed, and that our service will be "that last full
measure of devotion."
Patrick Henry told us, 16 months before the
Declaration and just a month prior to Lexington, what to
anticipate, and how to understand the reality of the
situation. We might learn, today, from his words:
"Let us not deceive ourselves, sir.
These are the implements of war and subjugation - the
last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen,
sir, what means this martial array if its purpose be not
to force us to submission?
" We have petitioned - we have
remonstrated - we have supplicated - we have prostrated
ourselves ... Our petitions have been slighted; our
remonstrances have produced additional violence and
insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we
have been spurned, with contempt, ... There is no longer
any room for hope. If
we wish to be free - if we mean to preserve inviolate
those inestimable privileges for which we have been so
long contending - if we
mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we
have been so long engaged, and which we Love pledged
ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of
our contest shall be obtained - we must fight! I repeat
it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the
God of Hosts is all that is left us!
"They tell us, sir, that we are weak
- unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But
when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or
the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed,
and when a British guard shall be stationed in every
house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and
inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual
resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging
the delusive phantom of Hope, until our enemies shah have
bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make
a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath
placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in
the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that
which we posses are invincible by any force which our
enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not
fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides
over the destinies of nations, ... If we were base enough
to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the
contest. There is no retreat, but in submission and
slavery! Our chains are forged, their clanking may be
heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable -
and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come!!!
"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the
matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace - but there is no
peace. The
war is actually begun.
The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to
our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in
the field! Why stand we
here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would
they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be
purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it,
Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but
as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
We must recognize the enemy. We must understand who
the enemy is; We must understand the threat posed by the
enemy; We must realize the degree of threat to our
freedom and Liberty because of the enemy; and, finally,
we must realize that the enemy is to be dealt with as he
would deal with us.
Our future is dependent not on bravado, rather on
sincerity. Our commitment must be such that reliance by
others is not wasted, nor dangerous. Integrity has got to
become our greatest precept.
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