Words Unsaid

In October 2014, I asked for command of the PA LF 77th BN in Lehigh County; I went up to the regiment commander and said: "I want Lehigh County", simple as that. The appointment came through a few weeks later.

A few days after that, I got a call from the state commander. After some pleasantries, he said: "So, you refused to register with Selective Service."

"Yes", I said. I make no secret of it. I've had this conversation before, and I knew where it was going.

Several people within LF, upon hearing that I now had responsibility for the 77th, had approached state command about this, believing that it would be inappropriate for me to hold that position. They feared I would be "hating on the military", as they put it.

The state commander told them that he has known me for several years, that he has complete confidence in me, that the last thing I would do is "hate on the military", and that the subject was closed.

About an hour later I realized that this was the first time in my life when I had a conversation that started with "So, you refused to register with Selective Service" and did NOT end in "you're fired", or "you cannot go to school", or "we cannot hire you", or "you cannot get a drivers license", or "you cannot get a court date".

Decency is such a rare thing in this world, and it can only be repaid with loyalty, something that doesn't come easily to people like me. I've always had tremendous respect for the state commander, but on that day he earned my loyalty.

The next day, I told this story to Chris Smith, my ex.

Chris: "Well I fired you."
Me: "No, I fired you."
Chris: "I think it was a mutual agreement."

Whenever I'm fed-up with my job, or with events in the world, or with my own shortcomings, I think of all this, and realize that I'm the luckiest man alive.

Patriots and Active Patriots

Had an interesting conversation tonight with a retired U.S. Army Ranger. He was uncertain about the fate of our nation, and wasn't hopeful that anything can be done to save her. Here's my response...

You ask "What can I do to save America?" and "What can I do to save her people?"

Those are the wrong questions to ask!

Saving America and its people are laudable goals, but they are outside of any single person's ability. No one person can do it, not you, not me, nobody.

Some people take that fact (that no one person can save the country) as indication that all is lost, that you can't do anything.

Nothing is further from the truth!

The first thing is to ensure the immediate security and well-being of yourself and your loved ones. Don't worry about "keyboard warriors" or naysayers. Don't wait for some sort of "mass action" - indeed, waiting for the crowd to turn is unethical. Don't worry that people aren't doing what they "need to do" - really, the only thing people "need" to do is to die. Don't make that into an excuse for inaction. Understand that there's nothing wrong with "looking out for number one". You're a free man, act like it. That's the first step.

Second step is to seek out similar people. The important part is to seek them out, not try to make people into something they are not. It is much easier to make an Active Patriot into a friend rather than the other way around. Find these people, and earn each other's respect and loyalty.

Third step is to take honest assessment of your skills, and get training - good training - to fix deficiencies, and to improve. Always improve. Good training costs, but it is well worth every penny. Practice that training with your fellow Active Patriots.

Actions undertaken by a militia are last resorts. Fourth step is to realize that fact. If we let the immediate vicinity deteriorate to the point that militia action becomes necessary, then we as Patriots aren't doing our jobs. Abandoning civil society will leave the enemy in control, not by victory but by default.

Fifth step is to stop enabling the people who are ruining our country. Do not give them any monetary support. Do not give them the benefit of the doubt. Do not let them say that fundamental rights are up for debate. Do not negotiate. Do not compromise. When food and poison are mixed, only death can result.

This step is the hardest to do. You've been taught to "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's". Unlearn that lesson. Free men would not permit Caesar to exist.

Sixth and last step is to broaden your abilities beyond survival. Focus on survival AND growth. Growth without survival is impossible, and survival without growth is like living in a wax museum. If you don't understand this, Google the hell out of the word "eudaimonia", which means "human flourishing".

There it is.

Notice the theme: you start with the immediate survival of your loved ones. You end with the long term survival and growth of a network of Active Patriots. You start with something you can control and leverage that to extend your grasp.

So, the real question to ask is this: "What can I do to ensure the survival and growth of myself, my loved ones, and fellow Active Patriots who have earned my loyalty?"

The above is my answer.

Is it a plan for saving our country? No. It is a plan for saving your corner of it.

Is it the best all of us can do, working together? No, but it is the best that each one of us individually can do.

Is the result attainable and worthwhile? Yes.