I know I’m a bit late on this and I haven’t finished watching it yet, so forgive me if I repeat stuff you cover… and forgive me if I get a little sappy.
I remember when you were defamed by the Republican campaign in Illinois. I remember how hard-hit you looked and how demoralized you seemed after being accused of being a racist. I remember you talking yourself (and us) through it to prove you weren’t racist – to prove the truth we all knew. And how awful and hard the fallout was. And I remember you not backing down, and not apologizing, even if it seemed like you’d lost out on opportunities that might have tipped the war in our favor. It seemed like they made you pay for sticking to your guns.
But that was inspirational for me. It wasn’t flashy or heroic in the “hero wins again!” way (sadly), but it was inspirational – it showed me the kind of situation that might come up for us, and how we should approach it. We might be insulted or accused of something untrue… and like our hero Bill Whittle, we can stand up and say “No I’m not.” instead of shrinking back and wondering if they’re right somehow. The racism card was still new back then, and learning of its existence and learning from your example of how to fight it was inspiring.
So sure, you lost out on a few speaking events, and losing out on tens of thousands of dollars is certainly not something I can sneeze at, but your courage then helped you outlive them, and is one of the items on my list of reasons for paying for a membership (or wishing I could when I couldn’t). Maybe it’s small consolation; maybe you’ve made peace with your loss. But every day that you stick by your morals and by the truth is another day that we learn (especially us younger ones) about the obstacles we might face and have to overcome.
So instead of thinking of it as a hit to fame and a loss of tens of thousands or whatever it came to, think of it as a sudden real-time simulation training for everyone watching; a lesson for all your followers on how to battle defamation and slander in our own experiences. Your actions then taught all of us to be just a little bit braver and wiser. Hopefully that makes the experience worth it in other ways, not just in the “yay I’m a man of integrity” way. Obviously we’d all prefer it hadn’t happened in the first place… but then again, since defamation is one of the Left’s weapons, it’s nice getting a little inoculation against it early on.
Guess that means I’m one of the people right on your heels. Hopefully next time I’ll be the one leading the way.
Just my two cents.
I don’t consider myself a hero by any measure. Most people around me know nothing about me and are of no consequence. A few who do know me see me as part daredevil, part fearless, and occasional hero. Sure in years gone by I was blessed to break Mach 2 on three occasions in my F-4. Yes, we’ve met a couple times. It was McDonnell who broke Mach 2; I just held on for the thrill of it.
Today, I zip around San Diego with my large (3×5) Trump flag flying behind my somewhat-less-than-transonic Ram 1500. Friends, neighbors, and family worry that such open behavior is risky. Risky? Compared to what? Carrier landings, at night, are risky. Flying a Trump flag in San Diego just isn’t risky or heroic.
A few months ago I attended a rally downtown San Diego to protest the lockdown. Maskless. When I informed my 40 yr. old son where I had been, his only question was: did you get arrested? No, son. All I did was wave my stars & stripes flag.
To those who view me as fearless? Pull up your pants, take off your damn mask, and strap in.
We’re going for a ride.
Let’s roll!
Republican silence has nothing to do with cowardice. They’re on the other side. They’re happy to see Trump gone. They like what Biden and the establishment represent.
Don’t rule out some Republicans going “neutral” in order to create a point of contact with the remaining blue dog democrats and to keep Nancy and joe Biden’s minders off balance. A reverse McCain.
It’s hard for me to criticize, having been in a similar situation myself. It took years of work to get to where I am sure of my footing and have the courage and foundation to go into battle on this stuff — and to where I no longer care what consequences befall me or how surrounded I might be by opposing forces. I started blogging in 2005 to begin working out my ideas and observations, but did so under a pseudonym until 2011. I curse myself now for my former cowardice, but I feared for my job and work relationships, and in truth was simply under-prepared by my education and experience to confront the left’s unhinged vitriol with a coherent counter-attack. Bill’s work, from the beautifully reasoned and articulated Silent America essays to hours of extemporaneous thinking on The Stratosphere Lounge and all the rest, has played a big role in growing me into a capable warrior, so to speak. As have great conversations with other members here and on Bill’s old site (ejectejecteject.com). I don’t know whether member Daniel J. Mitchell is still with us, but some years ago I saved this beautiful comment of his that has moved and inspired me ever since:
My spear has a short range. It is dulled from skirmishes and stained with blood. Much of it my own. Every year it knows a few victories and defeats. Every year I pick it up again. My spear is cunning and steadfast. It draws the enemy closer to my way of thinking by its very sight. When thrust into the heart it does not kill. It does not harm. It transforms. Its edge opens the mind. I hand a new spear to the changed. We march together in the sunlight.
It’s been a journey getting here, but I stand ready to march together with all of you.
Excellent discussion which I forwarded. Thank you.
One of the greatest goods that I have gotten from listening to Bill and Scott and Steve over the years is that when I need a cogent argument to a question from someone I encounter from the left, I have already heard and thought through my responses thanks to these gents.
For example, when getting my hair cut the young lady bemoans that she can’t afford health insurance I can actually educate her as to why and more importantly why the ACA did NOT fix the problem for her. And further what a free market looks like using her own marketable skill as an example.
This is one of the reasons I truly enjoyed the BWNow sessions. Scott did such a good job of playing the leftist that he usually had better points than “real” people did.
Thanks to Bill / Scott / Steve as I feel like I have the ammunition to help me not sit it out when someone in a group makes a statement I disagree with. We don’t have to sit silently and there truly are more of us than their are of them.
Yeah, I have to grab the opportunity to say kudos to Scott on the great job. As opposed to most leftists he inserts very good points (at least on the form), and with very nice manners. In huge contrast with [long list of names I refuse to promote even in bashing]. Also it adds a lot to the presentation of ideas, making it not declaration from heaven but a discussion/seminar session. As a good by-roduct probably addressing real thoughts that jump into many viewers’ minds. While in the context of design reviews I’m trained to come up with all kinds of opposition arguments, I just don’t have the patience, skill and reserve to present them in that convincing manner even occasionally, let alone in a consistent realiable way.
yes, it might be the engineer in me but I like that Scott and Bill jousting has given me a preview of my interactions. And as far as polite, especially when getting my hair cut, I am. Nothing like a lady with a razor on your neck to keep you from being belligerent. 😉
@Bill, before I forget again, please add the earlier gem about “Two Americas” from a few months ago to this series. It absolutely belongs, and establishes the foundation on what the fight is about.
To drag in better cultural references than Atlas, let me point to a touching part in Ender’s Game. Before Ender is promoted to the lead (and everyone is in a rush, time can not be wasted) he’s sent back to Earth, spending several weeks with Valentine at a beautiful lake. For a set of damn good reasons.
I want to do something. 2016 I volunteered to work a polling station. It was 1 evening of training and the full day of the election. I did it with others of a service club which I belonged to at the time. Our county is 275,000 people. Our polling station was one of many in the county, and I also volunteered to take the ballot boxes down to the county building to be handed off to those responsible for receiving and taking to the room for final tally.
In 2016, our county used paper ballots which were then run through a scanner, and the paper ballot put into a locked box.
I want to do this every election now. But beyond that, I want to learn how to be one of the people at the county building who collected our boxes and data, and did the final tally… I’m not going to say ‘infiltrate’, however, I want a peek behind the curtain and be vocal about what I see happening.
Funny thing is, Santa Cruz County can’t be more Red. Not Democrat red but actually friggin Communist Red, the old fashioned red, THAT’S how Red it is. So why bother? Why volunteer at all? It won’t change anything, right? Our county in California is just too far gone.
My only thought is that, maybe someday I’ll move out. I might move to a purple state. I can use my volunteer experience where it might be more effective. Or, maybe where I live now, there is a close down ballot race in my own county. Or, maybe there is a California initiative vote that’s close. Keeping an eye on those who count the votes means keeping it fair.
Fellow members, is this just naive thinking? Or is it worth it. Do any of you volunteer in the same way? Are any of you part of county teams who actually do the tallying?
I personally lost hope for a politcal solution about 10 years ago. I can’t get through to my own mother- she has refused to even have an honest back and forth good faith conversation about it and sacrificed her relationship with her grand kids to avoid it. There will be no neogtioation with these people – you are property to them and they see no reason to negotiate with their shoes before going for a walk. You are just a means to an end.. and your freedom is what you have left over after they have made demands.
Get out of Cali now. We must now protect the remnant and make sure the rest get their collectivism good and hard. You must remove your wealth from the banking system – and use it to make yourself as self-sufficient as you can – Move out of the city to a more rural Conservative area, buy long-term food and start gardening and tending livestock if possible ( If that means rabbits and/or chickens then so be it) Learn to shoot. Learn a trade – electrical, plumbing, welding , car mechanic etc . Anything that will give you a useful skill that is always needed. Then sit tight for further orders.
I have been an election judge for several elections. We are a small county of ~9K. Ballots are paper, marked with pen, put into a locked box that has a seal on it with a security code. Ballots that are not used, have mistakes, etc go into a separate locked box. Voters show ID, sign off in the registered voters log, are given the ballots and go to a booth to vote. They are also given a plastic sheath to return the marked ballots so their marks can’t be seen.
In such a small county yes we know most everyone, maybe even went to school with them or see them socially, they still have to show us ID.
Once in the polling station election workers can not leave for any reason, we are sequestered for the time the polling station is open and until the completed ballots are transferred at the end of the day. At the end of the day the locked boxes are transported with police escort to the courthouse to be scanned. I have never participated in the counting. Although I “volunteer” to be an election judge I am being paid minimum wage for the time there and for training. We are also provided breakfast, beverages, and dinner. We have to bring our own lunch.
Mine is a heavily democrat county and there are many small town party bullies willing to threaten and intimidate and ridicule those who don’t adhere to democrat principles, most of whom are cowards when challenged face to face. As a conservative I am not completely alone, just part of a very tiny minority and subject to some very nasty gossip as consequence. Some of us are willing to be confrontational. My employer is a board of directors who gleefully suckle at the leftist teat. However, they need me far more than I need them.
I would have worked as an election judge this past election except my county opted to have mail in voting for everyone. Voters could bring their ballots to the courthouse and submit them in person or request a ballot while there and vote that way.
When I was asked if I would be willing to work this past election–AKA am I not too afraid of the virus–I said that I was not in fear of the virus and I would work but I would not wear a mask. I wasn’t then called to work.
For those who feel what Sarah is willing to do is without real value.. it is not.
It may fall sort of the mark we ideally want, but she should not be shamed for her honesty and her offered contribution is not worthless.
You may risk your livelihood, because she ( and others like her) will share to ensure you survive.
If you risk your reputation – and fear being called a traitor, she will be there for you personally , and will not believe the lies.
Considering Mark Twain’s comments – now what if those 7 men would would be branded traitors also knew there were people like Sarah out there whom they could seek out and build a community with, people who would help them in a time of need – even as the larger society denigrated them. Could we have gotten seven volunteers then? I think many would be more willing to do the right thing and accept wide spread rejection if they knew there were others would would still have their backs, even if in secret.
I think there are a huge number of Sarah’s out there – and we need them – if for no other reason than to provide logistical support, safe houses and alibis. Ann Barnhardt (barnhardt.biz) went galt and with a moral courage I could only dream of and found there were many Sarah’s out there willing to support her. Some, may fully commit when there is a nucleus formed – but we are best off forming those nuclei locally. Ideally this would be your county sheriff, but if not, we will need some militia force – minute men – who can be called upon to show up in front of a business to prevent its closure etc. The police will be reluctant to cross such a line – especially if they show up armed – but that would be a local decision based on circumstances. County by County we need to declare them Autonomous Zones- and make it clear that any attempt to enforce state or federal law there will be met with resistance. Take your money out of the big banks where the fed-coats can get at it – Buy food, ammo and any tools you need that can increase your self-sufficiency. Start learning trade skills. Your real value on this planet is and always will be what you can do for others that THEY find of value. If you have money any left, put it into bitcoin, etherium, or other tangible goods… like gold or silver eagles , or junk silver – all of which has a dollar face valueand therefore can only be taxed at that rate. Pay your conservative allies in such currency when possible. (if you think your current “investments” are too important, understand the goal of the opposition will be to CRASH YOUR PAPER WEALTH – and the dollar as a currency is almost done for. The second the Fed wants to, it can pull out the props and the market and everything its attached to will collapse)
also, as a bit of constructive advice – if you fear being cancelled or ostracized at work or elsewhere – pull a page from the enemy rule book and make them play by their rules. Declare yourself trans- Make your HR dept. record you as Gay or the opposite gender. Try to make them record you as a race you are not. Tell them your Pronoun is “My Lord and Master” and that you expect them to make all other employee’s comply with that.
And then DO NOTHING to give that appearance. Say you are a woman while accentuating your manly characteristics. Say you are a man while being as feminine as possible. Of course, after your gender transition you are still married and love your spouse, so you declare that you are homosexual as well. Make the collectivists around you deal with that elephant in the room each and every time they interact with you. Make them live the lie of it as they would wish to make you do so. Make sure the conservatives around you can “get away” with not using your pronoun or participating in the lie, but call your collectivist colleagues on it at every single misstep, making sure they understand as you display your “umbrage” that you aren’t at all bothered. And then when they go to fire you, you though up your Alphabet person shield and claim you will sue.
Is this engaging with the “enemy” ? Yeah a bit. But it is also self protection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmSO2cz2ozQ
They made these ridiculous rules. It hurts and corrupts the soul to lie and that is why most don’t even consider this course – but the corruption comes from an attempt to deceive. Here ,we attempt to deceive no one – we openly call them on thier BS by playing “lets pretend” with them in words, while in action displaying the lie of it.
LOL, just made a comment below with the similar starting thoughts.
Also, yeah, I wish people started to exploit all the leftist nonsense long time ago and did all the stuff from declairing TG and all.
I am not afraid of being called anything. I live in a town where most would claim to be xtian and yet, for many, the favorite pastime is bearing false witness. People here love to gossip and share the nastiest of rumors about their neighbors. If I was afraid of that I’d have had a nervous breakdown by now. They only show themselves to be malicious fools, and I let them do it. You know rubber…glue.
Marjee, I’ve been thinking about the whole rubber….glue bit.
We need to bring that back. It is much more entertaining and thought-provoking than “raaaaaaacist!”
Some other oldies but goodies:
I know you are, but what am I?
Your momma!
Takes one to know one!
Lalalalalalalalalala-can’t hear you!!
I agree but am confused by one thing.
I remember that in Bill’s first MB2A video he recommended that we do not waste time or energy confronting the enemy but concentrate entirely on shoring up our position and friends.
In this video Bill seems to be saying (correctly in my opinion) that we cannot afford to remain silent or acquiescent when we are confronted with objectionable content.
Which bit of advice is more accurate?
I don’t think it’s an actual contradiction. At this phase don’t start a crushade on “somebody is wrong on the internet”. Especially at the expense of productive activity in your life and creating a positive community.
But if you are attacked, stand your ground, and if necessary/possible, annihilate the attacker for good. And support the fellows who are attacked.
What do you mean by this: “At this phase don’t start a crushade on “somebody is wrong on the internet”. Especially at the expense of productive activity in your life and creating a positive community.”
Is it happening somewhere in this group?
No, not in this group. But I know plenty of people who spend their time on the “social media” trying to convince the leftists who are obviously have 24 hours a day at their disposal banging on all their usual points. Trying to convert fanatics is futile. Worse than that really, it can ruin the souls of those who try. There;s wisdom in not throwing pearls to the pigs — however easy it is to misuse it. We have limited resources, the fight is supposed to go where it is rewarding, and preferably where it has the most positive impact at least cost.
I have a feeling that in 2021 there will be a lot more opportunities to show courage than any of us would like
Enjoy the adrenaline rush.
“Why do men go to war?
Because the women are watching'”
T.E. Lawrence
Maybe in yesteryear. Today men go to war because they’re ordered to by people in power who make money from war and don’t go themselves nor send their kids to war. I would love peace, but I think we must clean house of the war machine first.
Do we need a strong, competent military or not De Fletcher?
We have been all volunteer for many decades now.
I know Sarah and she has far more courage than she gives herself credit for. She speaks out, she takes a stand against those that could strike back against those that dare to disagree.
Those that truly understand the battle we’re in don’t think the little things matter. They do.
And yes, Bill, we sent her a link to this video.
Glad to hear she shows more courage than she admits in the article. I was a bit dismayed at what she said she’d do if/when someone stood up.
My concern about Sarah is this: How many Sarah’s are in the woodwork willing to shut their doors and hide in their closets when they may be needed to step up and stand up against tyranny? She is not a role model I want to copy!
Did you read the section at the end with promise on how to act if someone stands up?
I’m sure we have way more people who cover and not do anything in that list, adding a lot to the problem. Moving them to at least not stand in the way is a huge achievement in itself.
And while we can wish to have more people who just stand up, it does not just happen out of the blue. As most of this episode struggles to tell us.
In any crisis 10% of the people will be looking to find a solution, 10% will be actively hindering that 10% and 80% will be standing there with a dumb look on their face. If we can make that 10%, 9% and 81% its an improvement.
I’m surprised anyone would think about that part literally. Actual cowards never write messages like that. Or even arrive to the thought of creating one.
It is really masterfully constructed to present from that standpoint, but I’m certain thinking it can be an actual mind of the authos be similar to thinking Swift wrote a documentary in the name of Gulliver and saw all those lands.
In WW2 my grand uncles were called cowards for not joining up yet they hold the record for illegally signing up, 8 attempts each. Caught every time! They were miners mining ochre, the dirt that makes khaki paint. They mined enough for hundreds of thousands of trucks, tanks & tents. It was illegal for them to join up unless they could each find two trained men to replace them. Ochre is horrible stuff to mine.
In the end the army sent a military unit to the town of Dubbo and rounded up the population and told them if they attacked the miners as cowards again the town itself would be charged. No one’s sure what the charge would be. I suspect the officer was bluffing. It worked. The family still owns the farm where the mine was.
Hundreds of miners, railway men, dock workers, engineers spent WW2 being called cowards for not serving even though they were not allowed by law to join up. They were too valuable where they were. Literally irreplaceable. The hardest hit were the engineers on secret projects. They could not explain themselves.
This battle over ballots is driving backbone into the state GOP committees and state legislatures with a hammer. Its working, 7 states have sent dueling electors. Congress with not decide to switch electors but the dueling electors are a huge shot across the bow. On the 23rd the Vice President Pence requests the electoral paperwork, the certification of the votes. Some states have not sent valid certification, he has the right under the law to demand that these state houses sit on Christmas eve and vote to create a valid documents. Several have since already sat and sent amended paperwork. Hundreds of thousands rallies outside the state legislatures and party offices, etc have driven that. Pence has spoken at some of the rallies.
If there are not a full set of certified vote tallies on the 6th when the Vice President Pence can declare the electors from the disputed states invalid. Nancy Pelosi can rail and scream but there is nothing she can do about it. She might make demands of the Sergeant at Arms of the House, Paul D. Irving, but he’s not insane, he’s a police and secret service veteran with a law degree. Everything will be televised.
If any of the larger states electors are invalidated then neither Biden nor Trump has 270 it goes to the contingent election. The House votes by state and elects the President. The Senate votes to elect the Vice President.
As a backup plan we have house members and senators lined up to challenge each state, in righting, with a ballot fraud problem starting with Arizona. That’s 2 hours of debate on camera per state with 7 or 8 states. 4 to 16 hours. Time enough for the left to lose their head on camera and go full dictator.
Trump can still win and has made all the preparations for the left wing riots that follow. This is not about just 4 more years; this is about destroying the left in public.
I do hope our “representatives” will stand up and not allow the fraud election to stand. If they do, they are all enemies of the state & deserve reserved seating on a plane to Gitmo.
Well, it’s a safe bet they will allow it to pass. The reason of the exercise is exactly to force them show the colors, and put the name beside the coin. (And if the short chance works out, well, all the better 😉
Why do you think Mitch tries to bully all the senators to keep sitting and avoid this show?
Technically gitmo is for foreign enemies. There are two shiny new prisons in the mid west awaiting domestic enemies. Also there are several vacancies at the Florence ADMAX in Colorado. That makes a super max prison look like play school.
I love Bill’s resolve in standing up to the GOP jellyfish. None of them, even Ted Cruz, were at the numerous Stop The Steal rallies held all over the country or Million MAGA marches. The GOP must be dismantled and replaced with a Trumpian America First core. Otherwise nothing will change.
I’ve seen several senators blast various people for wrongdoing (think Cruz & Paul for starters), but nothing ever happens to them (Zuck & Dorsey for two). It’s like they put on a show and everyone is off the hook. Sickening.
Think we should ditch the Dem’s and Rep’s and all the rest. Don’t think the party should have any Trump ties, but what we all want that he has sparked in us. I like the “America First” angle.
The problem is not that there are a majority who chose a clown like Biden… the issue is that a small minority have garnered the means and methods to swindle the majority into accepting their choice… it is up to the majority to reject this criminal play. It is up to each and every American who believes this to reject repudiate and disavow any allegiance to these creatures… What can they do if tens of millions of us refuse to comply… we refuse to go along… we refuse to bow down to their dictates… and if necessary we fight against their oppression with any means at our disposal… it is incumbent upon us to resist any enemy foreign or domestic that would seek to usurp the rule of law that this republic was founded upon. I would suggest that each and every one of us re-read the founding documents, commit to memory as much of same as each is capable and get in the face of each and every avowed lefty and challenge them to come up with a better plan.
Agreed! The time of the majority being continually “punked” by anti-Americans is over.
I personally don’t want the far leftists to come up with a better plan. I want them to know with certainty their socialist/communist/fascist ideas are not welcome in the U.S.
They should all be fired for breaking their oath of office and/or tried for treason, subversion, fraud, conspiracy, etc.
If they aren’t sent to prison, they can crawl back under their rock OR work to become better, honest people. Not going to give them an inch anymore.
I go through it daily, wondering if I have done anything worthwhile, have the guts to stand or even know what to do next. Many more days behind me than in front of me, so I can connect with the things you are saying. My main goal at this point is to end well, if that is tomorrow or 40 years down the road.
The woman who admitted her cowardice does not get a pass for simply being honest. Living in America and taking advantage of her benefits comes with a price. It would seem “pay up” time is upon us. You can’t have it both ways.
If I were the one who stood up while she remained silent and did nothing, I wouldn’t want her to know my name . . . only her own.
When I was in the military and war broke out, I was afraid, but I also knew I would board that damn plane bound for the desert if called. Fear is our enemy.
I don’t have the best equipment or same sharp skills as I did then, but I am confident I will not stand by while others stand up.
The people who come for the ones who stand up will eventually come for the woman who wrote the article (and people like her) because they will be labeled as “dissidents” or “terrorists” or “insert term here”. They will use the job, the spouse, the retirement, the home, and the children against you to force you to do what they want.
So many people fear death. They do not understand there are things far worse than death. If we don’t draw the line and fight . . . we may live, but wish we were dead.
History is a great teacher. Pol Pot, Stalin, Slobodan Milosevic, Idi Amin Dada, Mao Tse Tung, or “pick a dictator for $100”.
There’s a military saying, “Got Your 6.” All true Americans should practice this with the other true Americans. Whatever it takes.
Sure, and we should reject help from others who aren’t as dedicated or able because…? https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR3udsT8jZ963V_ky37LoN2FxFN7W721volJMcDnFWk3cO8vKri2DRu0CHQ&v=o8BkzvP19v4&feature=youtu.be
The social proof thing is VERY VERY strong in humans. Not everyone is INTJ and/or Aspie and able to easily go against the grain and suffer the social consequences. Moral courage is and always will be rare. But we only need moral courage for the seed – and others will follow when there is social proof.
See also https://ed.ted.com/best_of_web/TLg3vHGd
Yes, I wish people were better. They aren’t. And you can’t make them better by trying to shame them. Shaming is the weapon of the enemy, and like the one ring- we cannot wield it. You can only shame decent people with morals and principles. You might get compliance – but that isn’t any good, and they will abandon the effort as soon as they can. Good people know when they are deficient, as Sarah openly admits. Take what they offer even if it is meager, and then and only then might they shame themselves and push themselves to provide more.
We must use the material at hand to its best ability – and if the best ability is staying out of the way – take it. If the best ability is to help you in secret, take it. If its best ability is to help with material goods and charity, take it. Logistics are 90% of a war– people lying low and providing secretive material assistance comprised about 10% of the population of the American Revolution – and there is no way it would have succeeded without that .
I understand your point. I prefer not to be like “the enemy”.
After viewing the video and hearing a person “on my side” would do nothing, say nothing while others “fought”, inclined me to prefer she not know my name.
(I’ve since read another post by someone who knows her and says she does do things that are courageous.)
So, I guess whomever is around her if/when stuff goes down will find out what she’ll do. Not really a good time to find out though.
If you you cower in the back hoping that you will be the last one the tiger eats, just remember, eventually you will be eaten.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” ― Frank Herbert, Dune
Yey, Bill continues to excel
Yes, Bill. Absolutely.
I actually have a plan to step up and take action. I don’t want to divulge it now, though, as doing so might make it impossible to accomplish. It’s nothing illegal, violent, or dangerous – well, it might be a minor offense – but it’s dramatic and it should get some attention.
Now you have me intrigued! I have a lot of pent up emotion that needs an outlet and I don’t care if it gets me into trouble as long as it makes a difference.
Remember, “If you are about to grab the tiger by the tail, you better have a plan of how to deal with his teeth!”
Yeah, I’m putting a good deal of thought into that. Should be OK.
55 replies on “AMERICAN COWARDS”
I know I’m a bit late on this and I haven’t finished watching it yet, so forgive me if I repeat stuff you cover… and forgive me if I get a little sappy.
I remember when you were defamed by the Republican campaign in Illinois. I remember how hard-hit you looked and how demoralized you seemed after being accused of being a racist. I remember you talking yourself (and us) through it to prove you weren’t racist – to prove the truth we all knew. And how awful and hard the fallout was. And I remember you not backing down, and not apologizing, even if it seemed like you’d lost out on opportunities that might have tipped the war in our favor. It seemed like they made you pay for sticking to your guns.
But that was inspirational for me. It wasn’t flashy or heroic in the “hero wins again!” way (sadly), but it was inspirational – it showed me the kind of situation that might come up for us, and how we should approach it. We might be insulted or accused of something untrue… and like our hero Bill Whittle, we can stand up and say “No I’m not.” instead of shrinking back and wondering if they’re right somehow. The racism card was still new back then, and learning of its existence and learning from your example of how to fight it was inspiring.
So sure, you lost out on a few speaking events, and losing out on tens of thousands of dollars is certainly not something I can sneeze at, but your courage then helped you outlive them, and is one of the items on my list of reasons for paying for a membership (or wishing I could when I couldn’t). Maybe it’s small consolation; maybe you’ve made peace with your loss. But every day that you stick by your morals and by the truth is another day that we learn (especially us younger ones) about the obstacles we might face and have to overcome.
So instead of thinking of it as a hit to fame and a loss of tens of thousands or whatever it came to, think of it as a sudden real-time simulation training for everyone watching; a lesson for all your followers on how to battle defamation and slander in our own experiences. Your actions then taught all of us to be just a little bit braver and wiser. Hopefully that makes the experience worth it in other ways, not just in the “yay I’m a man of integrity” way. Obviously we’d all prefer it hadn’t happened in the first place… but then again, since defamation is one of the Left’s weapons, it’s nice getting a little inoculation against it early on.
Guess that means I’m one of the people right on your heels. Hopefully next time I’ll be the one leading the way.
Just my two cents.
I don’t consider myself a hero by any measure. Most people around me know nothing about me and are of no consequence. A few who do know me see me as part daredevil, part fearless, and occasional hero. Sure in years gone by I was blessed to break Mach 2 on three occasions in my F-4. Yes, we’ve met a couple times. It was McDonnell who broke Mach 2; I just held on for the thrill of it.
Today, I zip around San Diego with my large (3×5) Trump flag flying behind my somewhat-less-than-transonic Ram 1500. Friends, neighbors, and family worry that such open behavior is risky. Risky? Compared to what? Carrier landings, at night, are risky. Flying a Trump flag in San Diego just isn’t risky or heroic.
A few months ago I attended a rally downtown San Diego to protest the lockdown. Maskless. When I informed my 40 yr. old son where I had been, his only question was: did you get arrested? No, son. All I did was wave my stars & stripes flag.
To those who view me as fearless? Pull up your pants, take off your damn mask, and strap in.
We’re going for a ride.
Let’s roll!
Republican silence has nothing to do with cowardice. They’re on the other side. They’re happy to see Trump gone. They like what Biden and the establishment represent.
Don’t rule out some Republicans going “neutral” in order to create a point of contact with the remaining blue dog democrats and to keep Nancy and joe Biden’s minders off balance. A reverse McCain.
It’s hard for me to criticize, having been in a similar situation myself. It took years of work to get to where I am sure of my footing and have the courage and foundation to go into battle on this stuff — and to where I no longer care what consequences befall me or how surrounded I might be by opposing forces. I started blogging in 2005 to begin working out my ideas and observations, but did so under a pseudonym until 2011. I curse myself now for my former cowardice, but I feared for my job and work relationships, and in truth was simply under-prepared by my education and experience to confront the left’s unhinged vitriol with a coherent counter-attack. Bill’s work, from the beautifully reasoned and articulated Silent America essays to hours of extemporaneous thinking on The Stratosphere Lounge and all the rest, has played a big role in growing me into a capable warrior, so to speak. As have great conversations with other members here and on Bill’s old site (ejectejecteject.com). I don’t know whether member Daniel J. Mitchell is still with us, but some years ago I saved this beautiful comment of his that has moved and inspired me ever since:
It’s been a journey getting here, but I stand ready to march together with all of you.
Excellent discussion which I forwarded. Thank you.
Leadership From A Dancing Guy. Bill, ever feel like this guy?
Good talk Bill. I am with you.
One of the greatest goods that I have gotten from listening to Bill and Scott and Steve over the years is that when I need a cogent argument to a question from someone I encounter from the left, I have already heard and thought through my responses thanks to these gents.
For example, when getting my hair cut the young lady bemoans that she can’t afford health insurance I can actually educate her as to why and more importantly why the ACA did NOT fix the problem for her. And further what a free market looks like using her own marketable skill as an example.
This is one of the reasons I truly enjoyed the BWNow sessions. Scott did such a good job of playing the leftist that he usually had better points than “real” people did.
Thanks to Bill / Scott / Steve as I feel like I have the ammunition to help me not sit it out when someone in a group makes a statement I disagree with. We don’t have to sit silently and there truly are more of us than their are of them.
Yeah, I have to grab the opportunity to say kudos to Scott on the great job. As opposed to most leftists he inserts very good points (at least on the form), and with very nice manners. In huge contrast with [long list of names I refuse to promote even in bashing]. Also it adds a lot to the presentation of ideas, making it not declaration from heaven but a discussion/seminar session. As a good by-roduct probably addressing real thoughts that jump into many viewers’ minds. While in the context of design reviews I’m trained to come up with all kinds of opposition arguments, I just don’t have the patience, skill and reserve to present them in that convincing manner even occasionally, let alone in a consistent realiable way.
yes, it might be the engineer in me but I like that Scott and Bill jousting has given me a preview of my interactions. And as far as polite, especially when getting my hair cut, I am. Nothing like a lady with a razor on your neck to keep you from being belligerent. 😉
@Bill, before I forget again, please add the earlier gem about “Two Americas” from a few months ago to this series. It absolutely belongs, and establishes the foundation on what the fight is about.
To drag in better cultural references than Atlas, let me point to a touching part in Ender’s Game. Before Ender is promoted to the lead (and everyone is in a rush, time can not be wasted) he’s sent back to Earth, spending several weeks with Valentine at a beautiful lake. For a set of damn good reasons.
I want to do something. 2016 I volunteered to work a polling station. It was 1 evening of training and the full day of the election. I did it with others of a service club which I belonged to at the time. Our county is 275,000 people. Our polling station was one of many in the county, and I also volunteered to take the ballot boxes down to the county building to be handed off to those responsible for receiving and taking to the room for final tally.
In 2016, our county used paper ballots which were then run through a scanner, and the paper ballot put into a locked box.
I want to do this every election now. But beyond that, I want to learn how to be one of the people at the county building who collected our boxes and data, and did the final tally… I’m not going to say ‘infiltrate’, however, I want a peek behind the curtain and be vocal about what I see happening.
Funny thing is, Santa Cruz County can’t be more Red. Not Democrat red but actually friggin Communist Red, the old fashioned red, THAT’S how Red it is. So why bother? Why volunteer at all? It won’t change anything, right? Our county in California is just too far gone.
My only thought is that, maybe someday I’ll move out. I might move to a purple state. I can use my volunteer experience where it might be more effective. Or, maybe where I live now, there is a close down ballot race in my own county. Or, maybe there is a California initiative vote that’s close. Keeping an eye on those who count the votes means keeping it fair.
Fellow members, is this just naive thinking? Or is it worth it. Do any of you volunteer in the same way? Are any of you part of county teams who actually do the tallying?
I personally lost hope for a politcal solution about 10 years ago. I can’t get through to my own mother- she has refused to even have an honest back and forth good faith conversation about it and sacrificed her relationship with her grand kids to avoid it. There will be no neogtioation with these people – you are property to them and they see no reason to negotiate with their shoes before going for a walk. You are just a means to an end.. and your freedom is what you have left over after they have made demands.
Get out of Cali now. We must now protect the remnant and make sure the rest get their collectivism good and hard. You must remove your wealth from the banking system – and use it to make yourself as self-sufficient as you can – Move out of the city to a more rural Conservative area, buy long-term food and start gardening and tending livestock if possible ( If that means rabbits and/or chickens then so be it) Learn to shoot. Learn a trade – electrical, plumbing, welding , car mechanic etc . Anything that will give you a useful skill that is always needed. Then sit tight for further orders.
I have been an election judge for several elections. We are a small county of ~9K. Ballots are paper, marked with pen, put into a locked box that has a seal on it with a security code. Ballots that are not used, have mistakes, etc go into a separate locked box. Voters show ID, sign off in the registered voters log, are given the ballots and go to a booth to vote. They are also given a plastic sheath to return the marked ballots so their marks can’t be seen.
In such a small county yes we know most everyone, maybe even went to school with them or see them socially, they still have to show us ID.
Once in the polling station election workers can not leave for any reason, we are sequestered for the time the polling station is open and until the completed ballots are transferred at the end of the day. At the end of the day the locked boxes are transported with police escort to the courthouse to be scanned. I have never participated in the counting. Although I “volunteer” to be an election judge I am being paid minimum wage for the time there and for training. We are also provided breakfast, beverages, and dinner. We have to bring our own lunch.
Mine is a heavily democrat county and there are many small town party bullies willing to threaten and intimidate and ridicule those who don’t adhere to democrat principles, most of whom are cowards when challenged face to face. As a conservative I am not completely alone, just part of a very tiny minority and subject to some very nasty gossip as consequence. Some of us are willing to be confrontational. My employer is a board of directors who gleefully suckle at the leftist teat. However, they need me far more than I need them.
I would have worked as an election judge this past election except my county opted to have mail in voting for everyone. Voters could bring their ballots to the courthouse and submit them in person or request a ballot while there and vote that way.
When I was asked if I would be willing to work this past election–AKA am I not too afraid of the virus–I said that I was not in fear of the virus and I would work but I would not wear a mask. I wasn’t then called to work.
For those who feel what Sarah is willing to do is without real value.. it is not.
It may fall sort of the mark we ideally want, but she should not be shamed for her honesty and her offered contribution is not worthless.
You may risk your livelihood, because she ( and others like her) will share to ensure you survive.
If you risk your reputation – and fear being called a traitor, she will be there for you personally , and will not believe the lies.
Considering Mark Twain’s comments – now what if those 7 men would would be branded traitors also knew there were people like Sarah out there whom they could seek out and build a community with, people who would help them in a time of need – even as the larger society denigrated them. Could we have gotten seven volunteers then? I think many would be more willing to do the right thing and accept wide spread rejection if they knew there were others would would still have their backs, even if in secret.
I think there are a huge number of Sarah’s out there – and we need them – if for no other reason than to provide logistical support, safe houses and alibis. Ann Barnhardt (barnhardt.biz) went galt and with a moral courage I could only dream of and found there were many Sarah’s out there willing to support her. Some, may fully commit when there is a nucleus formed – but we are best off forming those nuclei locally. Ideally this would be your county sheriff, but if not, we will need some militia force – minute men – who can be called upon to show up in front of a business to prevent its closure etc. The police will be reluctant to cross such a line – especially if they show up armed – but that would be a local decision based on circumstances. County by County we need to declare them Autonomous Zones- and make it clear that any attempt to enforce state or federal law there will be met with resistance. Take your money out of the big banks where the fed-coats can get at it – Buy food, ammo and any tools you need that can increase your self-sufficiency. Start learning trade skills. Your real value on this planet is and always will be what you can do for others that THEY find of value. If you have money any left, put it into bitcoin, etherium, or other tangible goods… like gold or silver eagles , or junk silver – all of which has a dollar face valueand therefore can only be taxed at that rate. Pay your conservative allies in such currency when possible. (if you think your current “investments” are too important, understand the goal of the opposition will be to CRASH YOUR PAPER WEALTH – and the dollar as a currency is almost done for. The second the Fed wants to, it can pull out the props and the market and everything its attached to will collapse)
also, as a bit of constructive advice – if you fear being cancelled or ostracized at work or elsewhere – pull a page from the enemy rule book and make them play by their rules. Declare yourself trans- Make your HR dept. record you as Gay or the opposite gender. Try to make them record you as a race you are not. Tell them your Pronoun is “My Lord and Master” and that you expect them to make all other employee’s comply with that.
And then DO NOTHING to give that appearance. Say you are a woman while accentuating your manly characteristics. Say you are a man while being as feminine as possible. Of course, after your gender transition you are still married and love your spouse, so you declare that you are homosexual as well. Make the collectivists around you deal with that elephant in the room each and every time they interact with you. Make them live the lie of it as they would wish to make you do so. Make sure the conservatives around you can “get away” with not using your pronoun or participating in the lie, but call your collectivist colleagues on it at every single misstep, making sure they understand as you display your “umbrage” that you aren’t at all bothered. And then when they go to fire you, you though up your Alphabet person shield and claim you will sue.
Is this engaging with the “enemy” ? Yeah a bit. But it is also self protection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmSO2cz2ozQ
They made these ridiculous rules. It hurts and corrupts the soul to lie and that is why most don’t even consider this course – but the corruption comes from an attempt to deceive. Here ,we attempt to deceive no one – we openly call them on thier BS by playing “lets pretend” with them in words, while in action displaying the lie of it.
LOL, just made a comment below with the similar starting thoughts.
Also, yeah, I wish people started to exploit all the leftist nonsense long time ago and did all the stuff from declairing TG and all.
I am not afraid of being called anything. I live in a town where most would claim to be xtian and yet, for many, the favorite pastime is bearing false witness. People here love to gossip and share the nastiest of rumors about their neighbors. If I was afraid of that I’d have had a nervous breakdown by now. They only show themselves to be malicious fools, and I let them do it. You know rubber…glue.
Marjee, I’ve been thinking about the whole rubber….glue bit.
We need to bring that back. It is much more entertaining and thought-provoking than “raaaaaaacist!”
Some other oldies but goodies:
I know you are, but what am I?
Your momma!
Takes one to know one!
Lalalalalalalalalala-can’t hear you!!
I agree but am confused by one thing.
I remember that in Bill’s first MB2A video he recommended that we do not waste time or energy confronting the enemy but concentrate entirely on shoring up our position and friends.
In this video Bill seems to be saying (correctly in my opinion) that we cannot afford to remain silent or acquiescent when we are confronted with objectionable content.
Which bit of advice is more accurate?
I don’t think it’s an actual contradiction. At this phase don’t start a crushade on “somebody is wrong on the internet”. Especially at the expense of productive activity in your life and creating a positive community.
But if you are attacked, stand your ground, and if necessary/possible, annihilate the attacker for good. And support the fellows who are attacked.
What do you mean by this: “At this phase don’t start a crushade on “somebody is wrong on the internet”. Especially at the expense of productive activity in your life and creating a positive community.”
Is it happening somewhere in this group?
No, not in this group. But I know plenty of people who spend their time on the “social media” trying to convince the leftists who are obviously have 24 hours a day at their disposal banging on all their usual points. Trying to convert fanatics is futile. Worse than that really, it can ruin the souls of those who try. There;s wisdom in not throwing pearls to the pigs — however easy it is to misuse it. We have limited resources, the fight is supposed to go where it is rewarding, and preferably where it has the most positive impact at least cost.
I have a feeling that in 2021 there will be a lot more opportunities to show courage than any of us would like
Enjoy the adrenaline rush.
“Why do men go to war?
Because the women are watching'”
Maybe in yesteryear. Today men go to war because they’re ordered to by people in power who make money from war and don’t go themselves nor send their kids to war. I would love peace, but I think we must clean house of the war machine first.
Do we need a strong, competent military or not De Fletcher?
We have been all volunteer for many decades now.
I know Sarah and she has far more courage than she gives herself credit for. She speaks out, she takes a stand against those that could strike back against those that dare to disagree.
Those that truly understand the battle we’re in don’t think the little things matter. They do.
And yes, Bill, we sent her a link to this video.
Glad to hear she shows more courage than she admits in the article. I was a bit dismayed at what she said she’d do if/when someone stood up.
My concern about Sarah is this: How many Sarah’s are in the woodwork willing to shut their doors and hide in their closets when they may be needed to step up and stand up against tyranny? She is not a role model I want to copy!
Did you read the section at the end with promise on how to act if someone stands up?
I’m sure we have way more people who cover and not do anything in that list, adding a lot to the problem. Moving them to at least not stand in the way is a huge achievement in itself.
And while we can wish to have more people who just stand up, it does not just happen out of the blue. As most of this episode struggles to tell us.
In any crisis 10% of the people will be looking to find a solution, 10% will be actively hindering that 10% and 80% will be standing there with a dumb look on their face. If we can make that 10%, 9% and 81% its an improvement.
I’m surprised anyone would think about that part literally. Actual cowards never write messages like that. Or even arrive to the thought of creating one.
It is really masterfully constructed to present from that standpoint, but I’m certain thinking it can be an actual mind of the authos be similar to thinking Swift wrote a documentary in the name of Gulliver and saw all those lands.
In WW2 my grand uncles were called cowards for not joining up yet they hold the record for illegally signing up, 8 attempts each. Caught every time! They were miners mining ochre, the dirt that makes khaki paint. They mined enough for hundreds of thousands of trucks, tanks & tents. It was illegal for them to join up unless they could each find two trained men to replace them. Ochre is horrible stuff to mine.
In the end the army sent a military unit to the town of Dubbo and rounded up the population and told them if they attacked the miners as cowards again the town itself would be charged. No one’s sure what the charge would be. I suspect the officer was bluffing. It worked. The family still owns the farm where the mine was.
Hundreds of miners, railway men, dock workers, engineers spent WW2 being called cowards for not serving even though they were not allowed by law to join up. They were too valuable where they were. Literally irreplaceable. The hardest hit were the engineers on secret projects. They could not explain themselves.
This battle over ballots is driving backbone into the state GOP committees and state legislatures with a hammer. Its working, 7 states have sent dueling electors. Congress with not decide to switch electors but the dueling electors are a huge shot across the bow. On the 23rd the Vice President Pence requests the electoral paperwork, the certification of the votes. Some states have not sent valid certification, he has the right under the law to demand that these state houses sit on Christmas eve and vote to create a valid documents. Several have since already sat and sent amended paperwork. Hundreds of thousands rallies outside the state legislatures and party offices, etc have driven that. Pence has spoken at some of the rallies.
If there are not a full set of certified vote tallies on the 6th when the Vice President Pence can declare the electors from the disputed states invalid. Nancy Pelosi can rail and scream but there is nothing she can do about it. She might make demands of the Sergeant at Arms of the House, Paul D. Irving, but he’s not insane, he’s a police and secret service veteran with a law degree. Everything will be televised.
If any of the larger states electors are invalidated then neither Biden nor Trump has 270 it goes to the contingent election. The House votes by state and elects the President. The Senate votes to elect the Vice President.
As a backup plan we have house members and senators lined up to challenge each state, in righting, with a ballot fraud problem starting with Arizona. That’s 2 hours of debate on camera per state with 7 or 8 states. 4 to 16 hours. Time enough for the left to lose their head on camera and go full dictator.
Trump can still win and has made all the preparations for the left wing riots that follow. This is not about just 4 more years; this is about destroying the left in public.
I do hope our “representatives” will stand up and not allow the fraud election to stand. If they do, they are all enemies of the state & deserve reserved seating on a plane to Gitmo.
Well, it’s a safe bet they will allow it to pass. The reason of the exercise is exactly to force them show the colors, and put the name beside the coin. (And if the short chance works out, well, all the better 😉
Why do you think Mitch tries to bully all the senators to keep sitting and avoid this show?
Technically gitmo is for foreign enemies. There are two shiny new prisons in the mid west awaiting domestic enemies. Also there are several vacancies at the Florence ADMAX in Colorado. That makes a super max prison look like play school.
I love Bill’s resolve in standing up to the GOP jellyfish. None of them, even Ted Cruz, were at the numerous Stop The Steal rallies held all over the country or Million MAGA marches. The GOP must be dismantled and replaced with a Trumpian America First core. Otherwise nothing will change.
I’ve seen several senators blast various people for wrongdoing (think Cruz & Paul for starters), but nothing ever happens to them (Zuck & Dorsey for two). It’s like they put on a show and everyone is off the hook. Sickening.
Think we should ditch the Dem’s and Rep’s and all the rest. Don’t think the party should have any Trump ties, but what we all want that he has sparked in us. I like the “America First” angle.
The problem is not that there are a majority who chose a clown like Biden… the issue is that a small minority have garnered the means and methods to swindle the majority into accepting their choice… it is up to the majority to reject this criminal play. It is up to each and every American who believes this to reject repudiate and disavow any allegiance to these creatures… What can they do if tens of millions of us refuse to comply… we refuse to go along… we refuse to bow down to their dictates… and if necessary we fight against their oppression with any means at our disposal… it is incumbent upon us to resist any enemy foreign or domestic that would seek to usurp the rule of law that this republic was founded upon. I would suggest that each and every one of us re-read the founding documents, commit to memory as much of same as each is capable and get in the face of each and every avowed lefty and challenge them to come up with a better plan.
Agreed! The time of the majority being continually “punked” by anti-Americans is over.
I personally don’t want the far leftists to come up with a better plan. I want them to know with certainty their socialist/communist/fascist ideas are not welcome in the U.S.
They should all be fired for breaking their oath of office and/or tried for treason, subversion, fraud, conspiracy, etc.
If they aren’t sent to prison, they can crawl back under their rock OR work to become better, honest people. Not going to give them an inch anymore.
I go through it daily, wondering if I have done anything worthwhile, have the guts to stand or even know what to do next. Many more days behind me than in front of me, so I can connect with the things you are saying. My main goal at this point is to end well, if that is tomorrow or 40 years down the road.
The woman who admitted her cowardice does not get a pass for simply being honest. Living in America and taking advantage of her benefits comes with a price. It would seem “pay up” time is upon us. You can’t have it both ways.
If I were the one who stood up while she remained silent and did nothing, I wouldn’t want her to know my name . . . only her own.
When I was in the military and war broke out, I was afraid, but I also knew I would board that damn plane bound for the desert if called. Fear is our enemy.
I don’t have the best equipment or same sharp skills as I did then, but I am confident I will not stand by while others stand up.
The people who come for the ones who stand up will eventually come for the woman who wrote the article (and people like her) because they will be labeled as “dissidents” or “terrorists” or “insert term here”. They will use the job, the spouse, the retirement, the home, and the children against you to force you to do what they want.
So many people fear death. They do not understand there are things far worse than death. If we don’t draw the line and fight . . . we may live, but wish we were dead.
History is a great teacher. Pol Pot, Stalin, Slobodan Milosevic, Idi Amin Dada, Mao Tse Tung, or “pick a dictator for $100”.
There’s a military saying, “Got Your 6.” All true Americans should practice this with the other true Americans. Whatever it takes.
Sure, and we should reject help from others who aren’t as dedicated or able because…?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR3udsT8jZ963V_ky37LoN2FxFN7W721volJMcDnFWk3cO8vKri2DRu0CHQ&v=o8BkzvP19v4&feature=youtu.be
The social proof thing is VERY VERY strong in humans. Not everyone is INTJ and/or Aspie and able to easily go against the grain and suffer the social consequences. Moral courage is and always will be rare. But we only need moral courage for the seed – and others will follow when there is social proof.
See also
https://ed.ted.com/best_of_web/TLg3vHGd
Yes, I wish people were better. They aren’t. And you can’t make them better by trying to shame them. Shaming is the weapon of the enemy, and like the one ring- we cannot wield it. You can only shame decent people with morals and principles. You might get compliance – but that isn’t any good, and they will abandon the effort as soon as they can. Good people know when they are deficient, as Sarah openly admits. Take what they offer even if it is meager, and then and only then might they shame themselves and push themselves to provide more.
We must use the material at hand to its best ability – and if the best ability is staying out of the way – take it. If the best ability is to help you in secret, take it. If its best ability is to help with material goods and charity, take it. Logistics are 90% of a war– people lying low and providing secretive material assistance comprised about 10% of the population of the American Revolution – and there is no way it would have succeeded without that .
I understand your point. I prefer not to be like “the enemy”.
After viewing the video and hearing a person “on my side” would do nothing, say nothing while others “fought”, inclined me to prefer she not know my name.
(I’ve since read another post by someone who knows her and says she does do things that are courageous.)
So, I guess whomever is around her if/when stuff goes down will find out what she’ll do. Not really a good time to find out though.
If you you cower in the back hoping that you will be the last one the tiger eats, just remember, eventually you will be eaten.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” ― Frank Herbert, Dune
Yey, Bill continues to excel
Yes, Bill. Absolutely.
I actually have a plan to step up and take action. I don’t want to divulge it now, though, as doing so might make it impossible to accomplish. It’s nothing illegal, violent, or dangerous – well, it might be a minor offense – but it’s dramatic and it should get some attention.
Now you have me intrigued! I have a lot of pent up emotion that needs an outlet and I don’t care if it gets me into trouble as long as it makes a difference.
Remember, “If you are about to grab the tiger by the tail, you better have a plan of how to deal with his teeth!”
Yeah, I’m putting a good deal of thought into that. Should be OK.