It's been a while since I gave everyone an update on what is going on in militia circles. I've got a lot to talk about. Bear with me.
First, I have my share of critics in the militia. When we complain of the revolving door of supporters, the critics take that as an opportunity to slam me. Well, just the other day some guy named Jim Strode, who has an effort to organize all state militias under his command, sent me a mass e mail. In that e mail, he complains that people are asking if a militia is represented in their state. Upon hearing that there is no Strode endorsed militia in their state, they cease to make contact with him.
Doesn't that complaint sound familiar? We get people lurking here all the time and if they don't see a unit in their AO on the day they start looking, they disappear for parts unknown. Listen to me people:
There are HUNDREDS of people who stop by here every month looking to join a unit in their neighborhood. Take Savannah for instance. We've had a dozen inquiries in the past, but now those guys don't even respond to their e mails. If the people would answer their e mails, they could build a sizeable unit in that area right now. +
Let's face an unpleasant fact: Barack Obama is the new KING of the United States. The only thing left is the coronation ceremony. John McCain is an utter idiot. While McCain goaded Obama into making his world tour, Mc Cain has done stupid things like not having a planned tour of his own. While Obama is wooing world leaders, Mc Cain goes to one town and is greeted by a SINGLE news reporter... only ONE reporter to report on his activities. And a while ago, Mc Cain is backing away from his no new tax hike pledge made earlier. It appears that Mc Cain is being paid to take a dive on this election.
We're going to get our rumps handed to us if we don't start getting serious. So, I expect to start hearing from some of you ASAP!
That brings me to the fact that here in Georgia, we are trying to come up with a place to have a meeting to recruit, have a general face to face AND make the challenge for anyone who wants to come out and debate on the topics of the day. Right now, the meeting is being planned for the metro Atlanta area. It's the only place I really know where to look for low cost places to hold meetings... and BTW, the Ryans where we held our meetings at for years has gone out of business. Ironically, after we stopped having monthly meetings there, the business fell off and they went under.
In other news, I am trying to get this effort off the ground with planned bumper stickers, militia related patches for uniforms, t shirts, AND I have to follow up on an offer by one of our readers to help us build a website.
Someone else has said they may be able to reproduce the now outdated SPIKE videos. If you haven't a clue as to what I'm talking about, check out this link:
I'm going to have a LOT of stuff for this thread in the coming days, so please keep up with it, post if possible and let's see what we can get going BEFORE the coronation and the end of the easy times.
It's been a while since I gave everyone an update on what is going on in militia circles. I've got a lot to talk about. Bear with me.
First, I have my share of critics in the militia. When we complain of the revolving door of supporters, the critics take that as an opportunity to slam me. Well, just the other day some guy named Jim Strode, who has an effort to organize all state militias under his command, sent me a mass e mail. In that e mail, he complains that people are asking if a militia is represented in their state. Upon hearing that there is no Strode endorsed militia in their state, they cease to make contact with him.
Doesn't that complaint sound familiar? We get people lurking here all the time and if they don't see a unit in their AO on the day they start looking, they disappear for parts unknown. Listen to me people:
There are HUNDREDS of people who stop by here every month looking to join a unit in their neighborhood. Take Savannah for instance. We've had a dozen inquiries in the past, but now those guys don't even respond to their e mails. If the people would answer their e mails, they could build a sizeable unit in that area right now. +
Let's face an unpleasant fact: Barack Obama is the new KING of the United States. The only thing left is the coronation ceremony. John McCain is an utter idiot. While McCain goaded Obama into making his world tour, Mc Cain has done stupid things like not having a planned tour of his own. While Obama is wooing world leaders, Mc Cain goes to one town and is greeted by a SINGLE news reporter... only ONE reporter to report on his activities. And a while ago, Mc Cain is backing away from his no new tax hike pledge made earlier. It appears that Mc Cain is being paid to take a dive on this election.
We're going to get our rumps handed to us if we don't start getting serious. So, I expect to start hearing from some of you ASAP!
That brings me to the fact that here in Georgia, we are trying to come up with a place to have a meeting to recruit, have a general face to face AND make the challenge for anyone who wants to come out and debate on the topics of the day. Right now, the meeting is being planned for the metro Atlanta area. It's the only place I really know where to look for low cost places to hold meetings... and BTW, the Ryans where we held our meetings at for years has gone out of business. Ironically, after we stopped having monthly meetings there, the business fell off and they went under.
In other news, I am trying to get this effort off the ground with planned bumper stickers, militia related patches for uniforms, t shirts, AND I have to follow up on an offer by one of our readers to help us build a website.
Someone else has said they may be able to reproduce the now outdated SPIKE videos. If you haven't a clue as to what I'm talking about, check out this link:
I'm going to have a LOT of stuff for this thread in the coming days, so please keep up with it, post if possible and let's see what we can get going BEFORE the coronation and the end of the easy times.
I can tell you're a bit "excited" about the "State of the Militia", so I hope I don't add to that. I do have a few observations and maybe a question or two as I get further into this. Please keep in mind that this post is comprised of my opinion and I don't speak for anyone outside my own group.
- Jim Strode is failing miserably in his attempt to nationalize the militia; most who've heard of his ACMN (American Constitutional Militia Network) know this. He's also the guy who gave horsepower to one of your critics (Patti) as his "Division 1" Commander for a time....she left that position under dubious circumstances a good while back (prior to her entry and departure) on the NM Forum.
- We all have our share of critics; it's human nature. The validity of the criticism is what counts. As none of us has all the answers, we can all use constructive criticism from time to time.....just a thought.
- The militia is represented in the contiguous 48 states, most of them have similar goals but refuse (for whatever reason) to unite under a single banner or organization. Maybe your earlier points regarding "self appointed wannabe generals" is appropo...I cannot say one way or another. I do know that I, as well as the people I associate and train with, hold similar values to many of the people on this and other boards, but our methodology of execution varies.
- From my own experience, I have found that a significant number (about 30% or so) of "applicants" or "recruits" or whatever a group classifies newcomers as, are comprised of "prohibitied persons", ie, those persons legally prohibited from using/possessing a weapon. While it's good for any group to know these facts up front, any group that allows a "prohibited person" membership is asking to become an "item of interest" to their local Law Enforcement community (who's most likely just dying to take on someone in a "training mission"). Therefore, it might behoove all groups to be very, very selective in who they allow to train with them or to become group members for the protection of all other group members. At least until such time as it doesn't matter anymore.
- We've had people "cease to make contact" as soon as we say who we don't allow (in addition to "prohibited persons", we don't allow anarchists, marxists, globalists, socialists, fundamentalist Muslims (as by their own dictates, they do not recognize the soveriegnty of the citizen over his or her own destiny and wish to forcefully convert 'non-believers'), PETA types, or literally anyone who does not revere the Constitution and the principles on which this Nation was founded as described in the Unanimous Declaration. So, when they cease to make contact, oh well....looks like we lost another nutbag.
- Our web site has generated quite a bit of interest from people wanting to learn preparedness focused skill sets, so I would imagine when you get yours up and running it will help immensely.
- I think (again, just my opinion) as things get closer to the election and the economic indicators worsen (the DOW down by over 1,000 in a very short period of time); the dollar's continued spiral, etc, all of us will see an upswing in interest and membership requests. If the SHTF before or shortly after the election, we could see a virtual tidal wave of recruits as in the mid-90's...
- Just as an observation, our primary focus is based upon the belief that 12 very trained and dedicated people are more effective than 1200 untrained value deficient people. So, my group trains in one capacity or another every month and we bring any recruits up to speed as is practical. I think at this point, that may be one of the very few effective methods left to us.
Thanks for reading this post...looking forward to reading this string in the next few days...
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Vanderboegh: A Handgun Against An Army - Ten Years After
A friend of mine forwarded me a question a friend of his had posed:
"If/when our Federal Government comes to pilfer, pillage, plunder our property and destroy our lives, what good can a handgun do against an army with advanced weaponry, tanks, missiles, planes, or whatever else they might have at their disposal to achieve their nefarious goals? (I'm not being facetious: I accept the possibility that what happened in Germany, or similar, could happen here; I'm just not sure that the potential good from an armed citizenry in such a situation outweighs the day-to-day problems caused by masses of idiots who own guns.)"
If I may, I'd like to try to answer that question. I certainly do not think the writer facetious for asking it. The subject is a serious one to which I have given much research and considerable thought. I believe that upon the answer to this question depends the future of our Constitutional republic, our liberty and perhaps our lives.
My friend Aaron Zelman, one of the founders of Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership told me once:
"If every Jewish and anti-nazi family in Germany had owned a Mauser rifle and twenty rounds of ammunition AND THE WILL TO USE IT (emphasis supplied - MBV), Adolf Hitler would be a little-known footnote to the history of the Weimar Republic."
Note well that phrase: "and the will to use it," for the simply-stated question, "What good can a handgun do against an army?", is in fact a complex one and must be answered at length and carefully.
It is a military question.
It is also a political question.
But above all it is a moral question which strikes to the heart of what makes men free, and what makes them slaves.
For the rest, go to the link....its' the 30 July entry.
"Note well that phrase: "and the will to use it," for the simply-stated question, "What good can a handgun do against an army?", is in fact a complex one and must be answered at length and carefully.
It is a military question.
It is also a political question.
But above all it is a moral question which strikes to the heart of what makes men free, and what makes them slaves."
RESPONSE: Whether this is a military question or a political question I agree that it is a moral question. And the fact is we have sat on our rear ends while decisions like the Kelo (eminent domain) decision got handed down whereby the government can condemn and sell your property for nothing more than the fact that by transferring your property government will get more revenue convinces me: we haven't the moral courage to rebuke tyrants... yet.
Americans said NOTHING when the Brady Bill and the Lautenberg Amendment passed. And not only is the Brady Bill and Lautenberg Amendment unconstitutional insofar as the Second Amendment goes, but the provisions are ex post facto as well.
The repeal of the Bill of the Rights via the misnamed "Patriot Act" should have warranted a declaration of war by the patriot community. And Instead of many patriots beginning to worry about these gross miscarriages of justice, LOTS of them got behind the tyrants, egging them on and begging for more.
I look at the situation today and can understand how the people allowed Hitler to take over. We are allowing kinder and gentler tyrants to come to power. The murder is more subtle, the take-over less confrontational. But, the people who believe in the infallibility of government AND the basic principles of socialism are everywhere - including our ranks.
If you are a "prohibited person," I would not despair. You are welcome in any militia I associate with. You may not be able to train with firearms, but you can assist and train in MANY, MANY other areas. Furthermore, many people who have been disenfranchised by the legal system would be able to challenge their status if / when true patriots gained any control in the legislative and judicial decisions of this nation.
Far too many people are being excluded by draconian laws that seek to marginalize us. But, I'm telling you that America was founded on the idea that our laws are built around Christian principles; that man has Rights bestowed upon them by their Creator, their God; that those of us who believe in the principles that this nation was founded upon have the ability to reclaim this country.
Victory will not be cheap. And so far I haven't seen the will of any significant number of people to convince me that the commitment to stand together is there... yet. We have allowed our nation to be taken from us because we have become cowards, afraid of the people who are taking America from us on the installment plan - and with our blessing to boot.
Lofty sounding platitudes will not save us. We have to find some common ground - the straws that break the camel's back and we've got to be willing to stand firm on our convictions. We've been on borrowed time, but the transfer of power to the Dumbacrats will give us a window of opportunity to find those who are lost, frustrated and confused by the events we knew were inevitable (for many years)and are transpiring today.
J. David Adkisson represents one of a growing many who have reached the end of their ropes with nowhere to turn. No longer can we allow the controlled news and entertainment media do our job. Let's find the rest of the Adkissons and give them hope - turn their anger into a quest for Liberty... Will you help me find them and save them before it's too late?
I sit at this computer several times a week, hoping to reach someone... anyone and get the ball rolling. For some reason we jump from one piece of technology to another, doing whatever is popular at the time. Right now the rage seems to be instant messenger and blogs.
Then again, I still buy VHS movies for a dollar each at the flea market simply because they are cheap, still work and leave me money to put into other things. There is no learning curve, so what the heck.
Anyway, we don't get anywhere because the masses have jumped ship to flirt with still more technology. If we just stayed here on discussion boards, we wouldn't have to relearn who is who every 90 days. So, a few people will check in and think that if they don't meet someone from their neighborhood, they will leave and bid us farewell. But, then again, check out the forums here. People DO meet and become friends and network with those in their area. I just witnessed it on the Check In forum here.
The farce of an election is upon us and Obama will be coronated KING of the federal democracy U.S. Inc. And the crap will start hitting the fan with the force of hurricanes and tornadoes. Will you be ready?
Will you be able to communicate with me if the controlled electronic mediums are suddenly made unavailable (like no more talk radio because it's hate speech (sic) and the internet will be heavily monitored)? Do you have the required survival gear or are you still debating it? Are you out of debt? How will you protect your family and loved ones?
Mark my words. From 2009 through 2012 the conditions will challenge every presupposition you've ever had. The times will challenge you to put up or shut up - NEVER in the course of my lifetime have we ever been able to say that those how refuse to stick together will certainly hang separately with such a definitive conviction. And NEVER has the Bible's warning that a house divided against itself cannot stand (see Luke 11: 14 through 23.)
Weekly, I come around to give a little pep talk about standing together, uniting and all that other B.S. You are given the gospel according to Enforcer with a lot of lofty platitudes, but the fact is, it ain't working. Even as we approach 150 posters, I'm lucky to get a half dozen responses to any thread. But, the reality is, when you refuse to post, then the impression given to the newbies is that nobody is around here. And so they don't stay. And we cannot build any kind of consensus when so many are refusing to participate.
There are a lot of topics which are sitting on the board having never generated any responses. And I just included a forum for the POSTERS to start threads about political issues and issues affecting patriots / militia members and supporters. Time is short. You guys need to start picking up the slack. So, I will start making a lot of replies to the people the rest of you ignored. Maybe if you keep seeing the name Enforcer at the end of every thread, you'll be motivated to post and get the topics off to a good start. -... Or maybe you'd like to see this movement (for lack of a more descriptive adjective) die a horrible death???
I sit at this computer several times a week, hoping to reach someone... anyone and get the ball rolling....Weekly, I come around to give a little pep talk about standing together, uniting and all that other B.S. You are given the gospel according to Enforcer with a lot of lofty platitudes, but the fact is, it ain't working. Even as we approach 150 posters, I'm lucky to get a half dozen responses to any thread. But, the reality is, when you refuse to post, then the impression given to the newbies is that nobody is around here. And so they don't stay. And we cannot build any kind of consensus when so many are refusing to participate. ...Time is short. You guys need to start picking up the slack. So, I will start making a lot of replies to the people the rest of you ignored. Maybe if you keep seeing the name Enforcer at the end of every thread, you'll be motivated to post and get the topics off to a good start. -... Or maybe you'd like to see this movement (for lack of a more descriptive adjective) die a horrible death???
The quote is above edited for brevity, so please be forgiving of that.
Enforcer, you may consider for a moment that with your proven ability to discuss, debate, and otherwise pontificate on a given subject with passion and knowledge along with an obvious belief that you don't have the answer, you have it by the tail and are working on getting it shortly, many of the members you talk about may not feel as if their input is worthy of the time spent posting it, especially those who might not see things as you do.
Just a thought....
Also, I agree with you and you couldn't be more correct in that time is short; to offset that, in my group we spend a LOT of our time training with people we can reach with our hands. We offer to network and advise; we offer to provide material as we can. We do what we can with what we've got.
We're using what works up here. You're using what works down there.
Just my opinion, and hopefully, I didn't ruffle any feathers.
I think that what MPA meant to say is that he thinks Enforcer is an opinionated hemorrhoid that many people shy away from, thinking that a debate is demeaning to one side or the other since debate generally involves disagreement.
That has generally been one of my downfalls; however, in my defense, let me say this to you:
I've always thought it better to have the disputes aired on the board where there are a finite number of people participating - and generally those who participate have a dog in the fight, so to speak. That, in my opinion, is better than making the mistakes on the national news one night with MILLIONS of people watching.
There are only four or five subjects that I excel in - and unfortunately, spend way too much time on. Still, if others have an opinion, it don't matter what yours truly thinks, the other 150 people reading this stuff want to know. And no matter how small or trivial you think your input is, believe me, it will cause others to think and consider.
As each year passes, I begin to see myself as a political hack with no real purpose. So, if my aggressive style intimidates you, rest assured - it's just words on a computer screen. Few people take my rants seriously and like I've said in other threads, there are only a couple of subjects that the change agents will not challenge me in an open forum on.
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