Nothing In Particular
Monday, July 5th, 2010Author Linda Brady Traynham
Question: “What does Independence Day mean in 2010?” Answer: “Nothing in particular.”
Oh, still barbecues, incredibly expensive fireworks, lots of politicians ducking their constituents, probably a few more deaths along the drug cartel corridor…but…nothing of any significance.
My most “patriotic” thought was that in a country where Thomas Jefferson and his brainy, thoughtful chums wanted citizens to be at least as well armed as the government, we can no longer buy a simple cherry bomb or M-80. We might hurt ourselves, you know, or possibly foment revolution, and don’t anyone try to tell me that T. J. and the boys didn’t know about fireworks; I assure you, they did, just as God knew all about cannabis and the juice of the poppy and didn’t say a word. (Once again: no, I do not use “recreational” drugs. My mind is my most precious possession and nothing is enough fun to go to jail over.) They also knew that life involves taking risks and if you want to make a big bang it behooves you to take sensible precautions or accept the consequences.
What is there to celebrate? The dying of the light? The destruction of the Constitution? Laws so much more intrusive and expensive than those in Jefferson’s day that he would have gaped like a hayseed at the concept of government taking over half his income, telling him what he could use to light his house, what and where he could smoke, and that his cook couldn’t wring a chicken’s neck, pluck the bird, and fry it for his dinner?
We can rage or we can pretend we do not see, those of us who are old enough to remember some semblance of freedom. Some of our youngers still believe naively that they can change the system with signs, slogans, gatherings on streets, parks, and lawns, and electing a lot of new politicians. The more violent and youthful haul down very ragged old glory and run up the banner of Mexico with impunity. Goodness, we can’t be bigots and object, now, can we? Surely those here illegally have every right to substitute their tongue and flag for ours? Surely those who practice Sharia law, which goes against a great deal of what Americans believe, have a right not only to self-determination but to foist their bizarre beliefs on the rest of us? Let me try “honor” killing someone who dishonors my flag, my country, and my beliefs, and we’ll see how far I get in court with that line of argument, which is only valid for Muslims punishing wives who were raped or daughters who convert to Christianity. By all means, let us change American customs and folkways rather than risk hurting someone’s feelings. Other than mine, of course. That’s okay. After all, I’m old, white, female, Christian, conservative, butter- and red-meat eating, wine-drinking, smoking, and not dependent upon the government. I’m fair game for almost everyone.
I resent all of this very much because I dislike being disturbed, ravaged economically, insulted, discriminated against, accused of treason and sedition because our masters think I am dangerous for wanting to preserve our culture and beliefs, and being upset in general. It is against both my religion and my philosophical beliefs to lose my equanimity. I’m a merry little soul who asks only to be left in peace to raise goats (something which appears to be becoming synonymous with my name), cattle, chickens, pigs, and gardens while others are left to drill for oil, hire and fire whom they wish, and buy what I produce or not as they please.
I am fed up with seeing our way of life destroyed in the insane belief that strength comes from diversity, not unity. I am weary of hysterical warnings on every package, box, or bottle I pick up. I am close to infuriated that everyone is encouraged to be proud to be any color other than white. I do not define myself by being “white,” and it is a matter of humor and joy that I regale you with tales of being half Irish and all Texan, which I am. In general both are charming and colorful and almost never shoot up the Post Office in Dublin. (Yes, there is a Dublin, Texas, about 25 miles from our place in the Hill Country.) Back in ‘18 they could write songs about being “off to jine th’ IRA to th’ rattle of the Thompson guns.” We can’t even buy bottle rockets.
It is disastrously ironic that it is white conservatives who actually judge people by the content of their characters and their behaviors, while the rest see only threats, labels, and the success they have had by using our good manners against us. I sign my full name to everything I write for roughly the same reasons John Hancock wrote his name large: I am not ashamed of anything I believe, and I wouldn’t want the other two individuals in this universe named Linda Traynham to suffer for what I do.
Have you any idea what it is like (I am sure my readers do) to spend your lives following the rules that lead to success and see them ripped asunder by vicious, violent, Statist yahoos? Both our lives and our beliefs. I hope you do not know, yet, what it is like to have friends and neighbors warn you anxiously that men have been asking questions and seen watching and photographing your house…Have a good time, Janet and the BATF boys, I’m really quite harmless other than when I’m writing. I don’t even have a swastika tattoo. (I don’t have any sort of tattoo. It would hurt and be ugly.) I don’t watch Fox or listen to Rush or Glen Beck. True, on particularly trying days I fish out a sterling replica (I do not wear authentic orders and decorations to which I am not entitled) of a German medal from WWII for Service on the Eastern Front and wear it, but I don’t suppose anyone cares if I become a National Socialist so long as I do it American style. Other than no one shooting at me–yet–or incarcerating me–yet–modern life is roughly as much fun as being involved unwillingly when someone else has started a war in Asia. (Ancient, important rule: never start a war on a land mass in Asia.) No one has allowed American troops to win in the last fifty years and we citizens are losing worse.
That is why Independence Day means nothing to me today other than sadness. I rage, but know it is impotently. I mourn the loss of my country but do not see any way to restore the days and ways of our greatness. Do the descendants of the Third Reich laugh in Argentina today? Why not? All of our other enemies laugh or gloat. Enemies both foreign and domestic. The sheer contempt of Nancy, Harry, and Barry calling socialized medicine a “Christmas present” has not ceased to rankle in a mere six months…the tapes of rejoicing in the streets of the Muslim world on 9-11…the contempt with which our dear leader is treated by the increasing number who hate us…thugs in purple tee-shirts getting a free pass on intimidating voters…the condescension of those elected to Congress daring to call for boycotts of their state over a simple bill to enforce Federal law…
No, I see no cause for rejoicing or pride today.
The grand old flag does not fly outside my house; I’m sticking with the Burnett, a single golden star on a field of blue, the true flag of the Republic of Texas. The dream of the Republic of Texas is to return to our very slightly and carefully updated 1836 Constitution. (Basically, it allows for universal suffrage, and I will say again that I will give up my vote gladly to return to a time when only male property owners–as opposed to those with only mortgages, far less nothing–are allowed to vote. No good can ever come of allowing those who have no stake in the game to vote themselves ever-increasing benefits.) We have so many years of bad examples and idiotic ideas to guide us in what not to do, you see.
Petitions for redress of grievances…a joke. The Bill of Rights? In shreds. No “onerous” fines? Risible. The requirement that the president of the US be a natural born citizen? Open to considerable question. The ability of the first president who takes a fancy to become the first dictator? Beyond question on legislation passed in THIS century, when combined with Presidential Executive Orders and Signings. Every time we look around Obama has declared another “national emergency,” all that is needed to dismiss Congress for six months and put FEMA/Homeland Security in charge with no recourse by anyone.
If Obama is so smart how has he caused so much damage in eighteen months, unless he meant to? If I’m so smart why can’t I think of anything better to do than go take a nap after having howled uselessly and used my week’s dose of iodine to draw a swastika on my tummy? Wry laugh, that only proves how ineffective I feel, because that sign of rebellion is fading fast as my body absorbs what it needs. The iodine, that is.
The worst of it, friends, is the question of which sort of National Socialist you would choose to be if you were forced to. Think about that very carefully. Given a choice of destroying Jews for fun and profit, or destroying all your own country believes in, which would you opt for, however reluctantly, if forced? All the world knows that I am a staunch supporter of Israel, and if that country stops buying appeasement lies (it is not possible to appease those who hate either of us) that tiny country will, doubtless, survive better than we will. Hitler, at least, glorified his adopted state. Our leaders and those to whom they listen loathe all that make us great.
The problem with drawing lines in the sand is that they bid fair to cost us our lives. We can never quote Patrick Henry in full too many times: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, almighty God! I know not what choice others may make, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”
Weary sigh. The problem is, the national socialists in charge of both houses of Congress, the White House, the judiciary, forty czars, and assorted paramilitary operations are quite willing to give us death. Death of our spirits, death of the country we love so dearly, and death literally.
Linda Brady Traynham
Related posts:
Steve Foste says:
July 5th, 2010
5:32 am
Eloquent adjective expression,well spoken, articualte, pithy, pursuasive.
I couldn’t find the right word for the article, so I used them all.
I really liked “adjective expression”
I was in D.C last year for the forth, toured the Mall and caught the fireworks over the Wahington Monument, and I must admit I loved the city, at least the part I saw, we did not venture into areas that were probably less desireable.
We did a lot of walking and admireing, but all I could think of was how much it cost to run this Government. What we couldn’t see were all the people that worked in those buildings on the government dole.
The Capitol building was awsome, but alas it was just a building, and I couldn’t help but think of the contents with which it was filled, or at least the idealogies that spring out of the institution.
So what does it take to change the complexion and the thinking and the actions of these people who supposedly run this country. Is it all about the money, is Alex Jones right, is the President just a puppet of the private banking cartel, and is the congress just a front man for corporate interest, and is the whole system desinged today to eliminate us as citizens and make us subjects to the new world order.
How and when do we stop this onslaught, or is the future inevitable?
Inevitable because a vast majority of the population will not take responsibility for their own lives.
I nerver really could figure out what they ment by the American Dream, to me haveing a big house, two cars, two chickens in every pot and instant financial wealth for everyone, wasn’t the Dream, the dream was the opportunity to pusue those things with your own ability and the dream was that you had that opportunity and the freedom and liberty to achieve. This is the dream that is being stolen, bit by bit, day by day, administration by administration.
Maybe you agree or not, but I really belive that Malthus was right, but in a different context. I feel that we just do not have the rescources to support all the people in this world, but I may be wrong it may be more of a process that govenment controls the distribution and mis allocates the available rescources, plus these rescources are unequally distributed around the world and everybody is fighting for thier use and control. This unequal distribution puts control in the hands of the privat banking cartles who only game is the grab the wealth. These people in colaboration amoung themselves could care less about a system of govenment, all they want is contol of rescources and overall control eventually of the world at large.
The truth is that these “Elite” are playing the board game Risk, control of the world, and are playing it in reality.
Happy 4th
Steve
James the Wanderer says:
July 5th, 2010
10:03 am
“The truth is that these “Elite” are playing the board game Risk, control of the world, and are playing it in reality.”
If so, Steve, they are playing it really _poorly_.
We are giving up advantages daily, positions hourly, and opportunities monthly. There are only so many chances to recover, and fewer still to win.
“Win” – a world where the evil are restrained from causing pointless / endless death, destruction and “control” of other, innocent people.
The rest go about their business in peace and prosperity.
Fabulous article, Texas Lady. It’s a shame there aren’t more of you.
james
Kurt says:
July 5th, 2010
1:22 pm
I empathize with you Linda, more than can be expressed in mere English. Me thinks I made the 4th miserable for some of those around me because I made it clear the whole holiday now fills me with loathing. Loathing for what this country has become, for what it does, for what it seems to have forgotten, and what it is learning to do. I know there is a storm coming. I do not know an exact timing of every last detail, but the major pieces are already fitting into place. First comes a bit more loss of freedoms, spurred on by this or that emergency, then comes a dictator, then comes a war. If 50 million Americans are left alive by the time it’s over, I think they should count themselves fortunate. And of those 50 million, I doubt there will be one who is left untouched: not raped, not left destitute, not wounded, not starving to death, not sick with major and no longer treatable disease because of no medical care left. It’s going to take a few years to unfold, and it will not happen overnight by any stretch of the imagination. But it is already begun, and nothing any human can do can stop it at this point.
Yea, July 4th causes a lot of really depressing thought patterns for me, because I know too much. I know where you are coming from Linda.
Desertrat says:
July 5th, 2010
1:32 pm
I certainly have no argument against Linda’s delineation of current events and trends.
Having said that, though, I fall back to my oft-repeated notion that as a society, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” Over a lengthy period of time, we have voted for those who promised ease and comfort without effort. Regardless of the talk about freedom and opportunity, the underlying message was that of vote-buying. “Voting largesse from the public coffers.”
In the 1960s/1970s, the protesters were told that if they sought change, work within the system to change it. Big mistake, in hindsight. They worked within the system and now they run it.
The big problem, now, is that even if there is a major turnaround in November, anything which has been decades in the making will be decades in the fixing.
IOW, there may be hope, but don’t quit prepping…
‘Rat
Lynne says:
July 5th, 2010
2:32 pm
Linda, don’t get down or discouraged. Liberty and freedom lives in your heart. Of course the Powers want you to feel helpless but I know you are not at all helpless.
Look at all the Obama administration has tried to do to transform this country and what an abject failure he has proven to be. Even with the MSM in the tank for him. Look at the States and the people fighting back and trying to rein in the feds.
I have never seen Americans get so involved in the political process. Chris Christie, Scott Brown, McConnell. Primaries have taken out Rinos and Dems. Look how the Democratic machines fear open elections and House must Deem a Budget passed.
Just a couple of things working against the feds:
1. The states collect the taxes send it to DC and then get back a piece of the pie. What if states forget to send it in and decide to use that money directly?
2. Geography, While progressive may control some Urban areas as well as the east and west coast. The best states economically are in Flyover country. Where does most of our food and fuel production happen?
3.Look at the last few disasters we have had in the USA. The local population took care of themselves the US government has proven they can’t do it. On the Gulf they have proven their incompetence on the oil spill.
Yes I think we are headed for some bad times ahead. I have tried to get as prepared as possible for inflation/deflation and lack of basic items for sale. I think a lot of others are trying to do the same. The folks that wait on the government to save them. Will probably die waiting, just like animals in the gulf.
Steve Foste says:
July 5th, 2010
5:41 pm
Lynne,
Thanks for the positive note. It has been pretty depressing this Indepence weekend.
Ya know I don’t know anything about the people here at the Texas Ring only what they write, I would like to converse on a bit more personal level if anyone is interested, at least to know a bit about you and build some new friends and aqauintenses.
If any interest my personal e-mail fossteve@yahoo.com
VJ says:
July 5th, 2010
6:35 pm
I know many libs will have a cow over this statement and twist it to mean something other than what I am actually saying, but here goes. The great irony of our time is that the very “morality” that the liberals hate so much is all that keeps the worst (most destructive)of them from getting shot. They think that laws can substitute for a conscience. If it isn’t illegal (i.e., Clinton cheating on his wife) how dare you condemn me! Yet most of us don’t refrain from theft, killing and other mayhem because they are illegal. The law actually has NOTHING to do with it! We refrain from a deep sense of right and wrong. If/when the day comes that a respected public figure articulates a MORAL reason to take up arms against those who are destroying our country, the law won’t be enough to protect them.
There are those who would accuse me of advocating violence, based on this post. That is not the case. I simply believe that a society works by moral consensus, not by laws, that liberals don’t understand this and that this lack of understanding has lead us to an impasse. The outcome will be either collapse or violence or, most likely, both.
My final thought:
“The ONLY difference between a Patriot and a traitor is who wins the war and writes the history.”
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 5th, 2010
7:03 pm
Steve….do you and the rest of the crew grasp even slightly how incredibly proud I am of you and the Ring? We have better comments here than most sites could ever dream of having articles. Your response is highly worthy to stand alone, and you anticipate other things I said the same day, when I, too, referenced Malthus and that anyone who doesn’t know who vain, careful-researcher Alex Jones is should go find out. http://www.infowars.com, and his videos will scare the living whey out of you. Because his facts are backed up meticulously.
The Statists have always known what they were doing, biding their time, inching forward inexorably. They became careless and rushed it with Clinton and Obama (not that I think Dubya’s goals were all that different), but they will take their gains, ignore the lumps, and keep working.
On rare occasions I ask myself questions suddenly to see what my instinctive answer is–old test-taking rule: your first answer is probably the correct one, if you are in doubt–and I still think I may have underestimated the problem when the answer to “How will I fare in the next five years given the political situation today” was a 10% chance that I will be shot by men in black and a 20% probability that I will end up in a concentration camp. I didn’t frame the question right to get a percentage on “hunkered down holding off biker gangs,” too, and I can only trick myself like that occasionally.
This isn’t at all scientific, but as a “gut reaction” it is telling. I know more than I wish I did sometimes, and far less than I need to know. All I got from those who worried that something big would transpire by today was a cryptic “the good guys won.” Translate that as they won THIS time, held off the barbarians one more time, and I may never know how or over what. It may not be safe to know.
When I consider the matter as dispassionately as I can, the figures that popped into my mind may well be too low. I’m at least “blue list” (arrest quickly) and I have probably earned “red list” status (shoot on sight) with my writing. Still, mon braves, this may be winnable and we can’t just opt out of the game. If one of you wins the lottery (I don’t even play), kindly buy a large estancia in Argentina and move all of us down there.
Truly happy smile. Did any of us ever think to have so many admirable friends all at once? I never did. Throughout my life I have done well to find a candidate a decade, and few of those worked out. You are all so very special…
An article I “wrote” in my mind while trying to get to sleep last night is on how I “became” a “dissident,” and all of you did it the same way: we were taught principles when we were young, we worked to abide by them and increase our knowledge and competence, and the world changed around us. I’m not a “domestic terrorist,” I’m a good example of what I was taught to be by those who loved the America that was. That’s rather startling, isn’t it, to think of ourselves as not good citizens, good parents, and good stewards, but threats to the powers that be? We ARE a threat because we think, we write, and we work to become more self-sufficient.
Again I say unto you, do not worry about money. Do the best you can with what you’ve got, believe in the Lord, and, um, twinkle, “stick to your guns” by holding to what you know is right.
You in particular, Steve. I’m only a thousand miles away, and I have a very feudal mind. (Another upcoming article is on Edward of Denby/Denbeigh.)
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 5th, 2010
7:04 pm
James, darling, one of me may be all the world can take. Let us know quickly when you see chances to win.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 5th, 2010
7:10 pm
Rat, sugar, for once I disagree with you. WE didn’t vote for what happened to us, it was thrust upon us. What’s IOW mean?
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 5th, 2010
7:29 pm
Kurt, dear…
Again, you’re becoming another big favorite with me. I can handle an America with fifty million people in it so long as all of us make it, which is surely exactly how the Illuminati feel about it. Ya know something? They have power, position, and wealth, but WE have principles, nerve, and foresight. They cut corners for momentary advantage, while we work to attain our goals.
Again, those people have never run so much as an ice cream cart or a hot dog stand; what makes them think they can run a dictatorship? They are totally incapable of seeing the results of their knee-jerk, off the cuff decisions. They can’t see that there is a limit to how far even Israel can be pushed. They don’t know what we can endure when we must. Sure, I believe they can manage to kill and enslave a lot of people, but in the end I do not believe they will win.
Dear, dear menfolk who responded…which of YOU ever sought to take advantage of a masseuse casually because you thought you were immune? (Now, perhaps in your youth you implied more promises and love than you meant, but rape, or anything near it? Never.) We want what we earned, they want what they want and think they can take it. It’s the same old war between the Normans and the Saxons, the Cavaliers and the Roundheads.
They do not BELIEVE in the sense that we do, cannot see that there are clear differences between right and wrong. They see “gray areas” everywhere, while we see rare “extenuating circumstances.” They are not the type to insist that each child memorize a favorite bit of MacCauley:
“Then up spake brave Horatius, the Keeper of the Gate,
‘To every man upon this earth death cometh soon or late.
And how can man die better, than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers and the temples of his gods?’”
Sure, they can send our young men into battle and come up with idiotic “medals” for “courageous restraint” awarded posthumously to those who died for a false ideal. We at least like to think that anyone who wants our lives will have to take them. Will we see in time that they are determined to do so? I don’t know, but can only hope that we are prepared to jump on almost no notice and are fast learners. Continue your preparations and working on making your loved ones see, but when the time comes leave without a backward look. You will do no one any good dying uselessly.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 5th, 2010
7:36 pm
Lynne…what a joy you are to me. Thanks for reminding me to keep the faith and how inept our foes are. I have an article in mind about how we’ve been fighting this war for a thousand years, and perhaps it only seems as though we are losing as there become more and more of “them” and fewer of “us.” Still, if we do not believe in our principles, what is left? I am not ready to do a James Jones, myself, and Masada isn’t my style. If I must go before the modern Inquisition, the new auto de fa, my words will be held against me, but so be it. I will not recant, and neither will you. Hugs, Linda
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 5th, 2010
7:42 pm
Steve’s right in saying we need to know each other better, and we need to bring more good heads into our Ring. I really hope we can come up with meetings, and will note that several of you live along the Western fifth of the US. Perhaps some of you can get together even if we don”t ever manage a week or two here. I will repeat what I said earlier: there is not a one of you who has written today who would not find sanctuary with me if you asked. Hey, pizza! Later, hugs, Linda
Lynne says:
July 5th, 2010
7:51 pm
IOW= In Other Words,
Linda
Huzzah for me! I found I found a site for Green Coffee beans around $4.00 per pound. It will make the purchase in a couple of months. I’ll report back on how it works out roasting my own coffee.
Gotta pick up some bunny food this week and get some of that calf’s milk replacement and try it in place of powder milk.
Finally got the hang of BBQ /smoker and maintaining the right temp and smoke levels.
It’s so hard sometimes not to get dragged down into the doom and gloom. I think what’s happening right now can scare the hell out of Superman. But we can really help each other out with the little victories we have and sharing information. I love hearing about how folks get a little more food, tools or learn a new skill and it helps keeps me motivated.
Folks around the world survive all kinds of collapses with very little prep. I know we can do it as well or better.
Desertrat says:
July 5th, 2010
9:02 pm
Linda, note that I said, “As a society…” Sure, you didn’t vote for “them”; I didn’t vote for “them”. But a majority of those voting did.
For some serious gloom/doom views of the end game of our ways, I found this little gem. I don’t know anything about the website; it’s new to me. However, there certainly are grains of truth in the lengthy article:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=17826
I hang out some at http://www.thetreeofliberty.com for the economic postings, mostly. There’s a good bit of tinfoil there, but JohnGaltFla does numerous analyses of “the numbers” on stock markets and government debt.
So much of what we see or read, these days, gets almost, “Ho, hum…” Just more dots on a curve, nothing new. The work part of the deal is to figure out how far the trends will go, and when will there be drop-offs or end-points within the trends.
In the meantime, I reckon, I’ll just keep on keeping on. Non illegitimi carborundum.
Kurt says:
July 5th, 2010
9:16 pm
Oh, I know they will not succeed in the long run. The ones behind this push also know it. They know that they have at max, about 10 years to do what they intend to do, probably a bit shorter. And that is part of the reason I suspect that the push to a dictatorship in this country has a time table of about 5 years absolute max, probably a lot less. We could be seeing signs of an impending take over in as little as a few months. Once the dictatorship period arrives, things will change real fast. They will stop acting like they’re brain dead. They will know that they don’t have to cater to the American spoiled brat, and policy will change. Things will start running a bit smoother, such as the budget being a lot smaller, and probably balanced. They will have control over the media(report this and you die), so they won’t have to worry if 20 million seniors starve to death because they were depending on social security to pay the rent and buy the food. Oh no, things will start running a lot more efficiently when the dictatorship period arrives, and they already know that it won’t last long, nor need to. That stage only needs to hold a couple years. With the way things have been going, most Americans will be happy to allow them to get things working again, in part by cutting the military budget leaving us wide open for the final stage of this upheaval. The ones behind this push won’t have to pretend to be idiots, or to care at that point. They could almost pull it off now in fact, because when things start to get ugly, they already have every excuse they need to declare martial law. They are patient though, this has been going together for a long time, they can afford to wait a few extra months to years.
I would be utterly shocked if I was to learn I was not on the red list myself. Flabbergasted even. I know too much about what’s happening, where, and why, and they are a bit pissed off at me because I speak it, not caring if the are upset with me. The Lord has allowed me to see many things. I believe it is a miracle I’m not already dead even lol. Yea, they’re reading this, and ya know what you ding dongs? Ya can’t kill me till the Lord says it’s ok, and when He does, I won’t care.
Steve Foste says:
July 6th, 2010
5:16 am
Rat,
Thanks for the links to other thoughts and information. I just finished the articla at global reasearch. It expresses my seniments much better than I ever could.
PeterPansDad says:
July 6th, 2010
7:02 am
Couple of thoughts concerning the 4th.
People seem to confuse patriotism with nationalism.
The song says, “Proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today…” That’s nice. Make sure “Her” stands for Liberty rather than a nation and I’m on board. Also, that’s an easier pledge for most than “Proudly give up the empire, all federal subsidies, make-work agencies and fixed prices to defend her budget today”.
Finally, I’m with Kurt. Filled with loathing. I really don’t care to worship a flag or dead presidents in a church service. My father served in a major war. His father served in a major war. I appreciate their service. From a secular perspective you could argue that they worked to preserve freedom. From a Christian perspective, freedom comes from God. Cut out the middleman in church.
Kevin says:
July 6th, 2010
8:36 am
While I used to believe we were headed for a dictatorship period after exploring the history of 20th century leftism I’m convinced that FDR was closest that the US will get. I suspect a chaotic breakup like say somalia. The US is entirely too ideologically fractured and even those who would try for a dictatorship will find their coalition breaking before implementation.
Personnaly I think a best case is regional seccession which is what I’m rooting for. After all what does Texas have in common with New Jersey? Or what does Minnesota have in common with California. Bupkiss!
That being said preparations are very importent, because chaos favors the violent, and we’ve been improving them in our prison system for years.
I must admit my 4th weekend was spent helping others butcher chickens and make preparations. Loose coalitions of help and information exchange were extended, while freedom ideals were talked about over good home brew. Thanks to Glenn Beck folks have been chatting about Hayeks Road To Serfdom like never before and that has opened many doorways to conversation with people who remained ignorant of libertarian ideals just a couple of years ago. This is most excellent.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 6th, 2010
3:40 pm
Hi, Kevin. Long time no hear!
The outcomes range from The Greater Depression, to break-up along regional lines–not as easy as it sounds, which isn’t very–to catastrophic events which lead to either dictatorship or very long emergencies and the eventual emergence of various geopolitical groups and dead zones.
Most of us be thrilled to have a choice to divide and reorder the rules joyfully to suit local conditions, but that’s about as likely as an equally popular idea of abolishing income and property taxes and not replacing them with anything.
The true believers are still blind, although there aren’t nearly as many of them, but King John and his barons know how resentful the serfs are already and how desperate many are becoming. Somewhere, sometime, sooner or later, something is going to blow.
The problem is we don’t know what or when, only why. Very good point about the training the youth of America have received. Muslims are teaching in the prisons and their neighborhoods, while gangs are recruiting in the armed forces. La Raza pushes harder all the time and our wimpy, ultra-liberal school systems tolerate desecrating our flag and open treason or acts of war, since it can’t be treason if they aren’t citizens, now, can it?
Back in a bit!
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 6th, 2010
5:19 pm
Very nice points, Peter Pan’s Dad. Nationalism is not at all the same thing as liberty and can be a very dangerous force, as witness what happened when herrenvolk went to being National Socialists or under their control. Other than great uniforms (for that century) and terrific senior staff cars, not much good came from that experiment. I suspect we would have more than our fair share of Quislings and cowards who saw the wisdom of supporting the Party.
We may have to spin off a site where we discuss theology, and it probably won’t surprise most of you to learn that is one of my favorite pastimes even though I always head off religious discussions here and on W&G. I do so deliberately because religion and politics are the two most explosive topics in the world, and combining them is even more so. We can go other places to discuss whether or not it is “Five Minutes to Midnight,” a newsletter a friend sends me regularly. (Very interesting, usually, until the author gets off onto “the rapture” every time. That is a subject I am never willing to discuss, and I’m not even interested in the subject. I make no pretense of understanding the Revelation of John, past that I get a white rock, a white dress, a new name, and being told that no man knows or CAN know the time, and I’m not into “How high is up?” questions.)
THAT said, MDC and I have never attended a church other than for weddings and funerals. I don’t think God is in them much, either. I know for sure that God is in our hearts and in our minds and on our ranch, and I talk to Him every day, frequently several times. He doesn’t usually say anything back, of course, more of a sense of agreement or an “urge” to do something. I always say there is no point in asking to be lead by the Spirit if you don’t pay attention to the odd thoughts you have, such as going home by a different route.
A very good friend who is an Episcopal priest insists I’m a heretic. I guess the Pope and an iman would say at least that much, or call me an infidel. I’m no Martin Luther (imagine nailing things on doors! Very bad form.)but God said He made us for companionship, and I think He gets a much bigger bang out of it when I look up and think, “I love You so!” than He does when 5,000 people jump to their feet because the organ hit the chord that means “time to sing the Gloria Patria, so stand up.” One is a spontaneous outreach to God and the other is Pavlov’s Dog, and I have probably offended someone by this time, which is why we don’t discuss religion besides that nuts (because there ARE real religious nuts) might come take over the site.
God IS. Slight chuckle…I remind Him every night when I pray for the safety of our country (and Israel) that hundreds of millions of us in America love Him although we worship in different ways. Probably a lot of us are doing it “wrong,” perhaps even I, but I think partial credit should be given anyway. My dear departed husband was wont to speak of “the Gospel according to Linda” when I made statements like that, and you really don’t want to get me started on the Parables!
Michael’s son is off preaching to the heathen in Arkansas, and I’m sure there is plenty of material there to work on. Never mind going to the ends of the earth, we’ve got plenty of nonbelievers right here. Pray for Kristen, please, since her doctor says she has to have serious heart surgery. I may be a heretic (although I don’t think so, of course) but I believe in the power of prayer.
Finally, I take very seriously indeed the injunction that if we make it harder for others to find the Lord we will be called to account for it. As I see it, my job is to live my life in such a way that others ask me, “There’s something different about you. What is it?” I am then allowed to tell them VERY briefly.
And that’s about all I have to say about the subject. Right (I think and hope) or wrong, that’s how I do it and I’m a very happy lady.
Meanwhile, back in the political machinations…
Lynne says:
July 6th, 2010
5:51 pm
My Mom was raised Catholic, yet is not catholic. she’s not a christian. Perhaps diest may describe her best, but she has read and is reading the Bible everyday. She’s probably on her 40th+ reading of the whole Bible Old and New Testements that I know of, and probably more. She calls it the Human “Owner’s manual”. I was so lucky as a kid in my Mom she is 3 of the most outstanding people I have ever met. She taught me a love of reading, a love of history. She taught me practical stuff. She kept me from being a Lawyer, because I loved justice and not the law and those things are different. She made me love learning of all sorts and made me defend my beliefs logically and rationally. She bouught Funk & Wagnall encyclopedias as a single mother supporting 2 kids and worked 3 part time jobs in the 70’s because unemployment was so high and no full-time jobs were availible.
I was so lucky to be her kid. I think she’s pleased how I turned out as well.
Desertrat says:
July 6th, 2010
6:43 pm
My take on the flag is that it is a symbol of the Republic: The Founding Documents and the intent of the Framers for a free society and a limited government.
The flag does not represent the people elected to office. It represents the hopes and dreams of a free people.
The government is not The People. The People elect representatives into government–and sometimes The People make mistakes. But the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are not mistaken.
jlsim66 says:
July 6th, 2010
7:29 pm
C’mon Linda, Patton is your hero. What did he say about dying in battle?
I like patton but I really get hoohah about Omar Bradley and Matt Ridgeway.
You keep up your bad attitude I may have to call up Patton’s ghost to come and slap you!
jlsim66 says:
July 6th, 2010
8:37 pm
Linda I think you feel it’s time to pass the baton to another. That’s okay we want you back fully refreshed and ready to do battle. It’s not easy to deal with all the idiots and to survive the slings and arrows. But we got your back!! Hell we will do our best to convince them and if they won’t learn we wiill help them to leave the gene pool. Well keep on fighting until we do that whole Constution thing again. Lindsey grahm thinks the Tea party will die. I think we will show him about a tea party just like we showed George the III.
I’m here for you and ready for a fight. Hell if it was easy anyone could play and imagine how busy the tables would get?
Lynne says:
July 6th, 2010
11:49 pm
C’mon folks get pumped up. A gallows is nothing nore than a hero going to heaven. Yeah it’s sucks right now! But i need you to do your thing and stuff. You arn’t allowed to quit. I need you to keep doing your stuff. Hug your goat or critter or whatever. I need you to keep on keeping on. Hell if it was easy any could play and that would get very crowded. You aren’t allowed to give up or take the easy way out. I still have stuff to learn. You can give up but I’ll hound you. Go hug a goat a critter or look at your garden. You aren’t allowed to give up. Heck I need to learn writting skills. I need you!! there is no pouting allowed. A pity party maybe but no pouting.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 7th, 2010
3:11 pm
Lynne, lucky, lucky you to have a mother like yours. I wish I had had one like that.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 7th, 2010
3:12 pm
Rat, you’re so super.
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 7th, 2010
3:34 pm
Hi, jlsim66! You are so right, although I can’t actually recall what Patton said. Probably that “The purpose of war is not to die for your country but to make some other poor bastard die for his.” Y’all are right, I need to pull my socks up (uh…I’m barefooted as usual…) and return to thanking God for the blessings of friends, the Ring, all I’ve accomplished, and the life I’ve had. Besides, it’s th’ Irish in me, y’know. Every once in a while we need to sit upon the ground and tell sad stories of the deaths of kings. Then we can get up and sing “Th’ Risin’ of th’ Moon.” Oh, the pikes will be together at th’ risin’ of th’ moon!
Found a fun new quote. Colonel Birger Erikson, who sank the Blucher, had to decide on too little information whether or not to fire on advancing warships, the problem being he had no way to determine whether they were German or Allies. He decided that since his duty was to protect Drobak Sound, the proper thing was to defend it, and said, “Either I will be decorated, or I will be court-martialed. FIRE!” I prefer my war a little neater than that (don’t we all?!) but it was a good call on his part. At least that time. Patton would have approved of his luck, but I would be inclined to move the Colonel to a position where he was unlikely to cause more trouble than he was worth.
Interesting, isn’t it, how many of us here are history buffs, particularly military history? Interesting thought: anyone have access to what MH is currently being taught at our military academies? Not that it matters much so long as armies are controlled by politicians and supplies are controlled by Congress.
If war comes to our land again it will be high tech against old strategies, tactics, and weapons…sudden laughter! Why do I have a feeling that Washington wouldn’t worry about “collateral damage” if firing on US citizens? It will certainly be interesting, if we survive to talk about it. So long as we don’t do anything as dumb as Pancho Villa leading his “glorious” charge into a machine gun nest it just could be that once again good old boys with country skills, retired warriors, and armchair generals may be good for something. I would much prefer not to find out, of course, but I don’t get a vote.
Courage, my children! We can but do our best. Linda
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 7th, 2010
4:02 pm
jlsim66, dear, you buckin’ fur friendship status? You got it! Great post! Absolutely, “The old Guard dies but it DOES NOT surrender.” As one of my heroes (I believe in having heroes and pity anyone who does not.) said, “I’m not going to start this war but I know which side I’ll be on.”
Maybe we could indulge ourselves with a tiny bit of optimism. Are Americans grown so old, fat, cowardly, and effete that they will not resist tyranny? Sure, a bunch of them have. Oh, laugh…darling Charles just came in and said he had put the 40 mil in the side pocket of the Vanden Plas–on my side! I exclaimed, “Oh, goody! Do I get to ride shotgun, uh, 40 mil gun?” The answer was “Either that or you can drive.” Put that way…I think I’ll drive. He’s the only man I have met (to let me off the hook with just a guy or two I “know” who might qualify) who can shoot better than I can, although I will add indignantly that a good part of that is because my eyesight is not at all what it once was, while his has “deteriorated” to a mere 20-20. In one eye. The other is 15-20. More to the point, I drive a lot better than he does. Some days I think he thinks he’s still under water…
If a bunch of vicious, ignorant peasants can hold off the US Army (“fighting” with both hands tied behind their backs) for nine years…of course, THEY have the will to resist. Do enough of us? It is fascinating to speculate, non? If a resistance develops, will the followers of Obama shoot ten villagers for every man they lose if fighting on American soil? History says, “Yes.” One of Alex Jones’ videos captures troops war-gaming in a smallish American city. As blood-curdling a thing as I hope you all never hear is a cold, implacable voice on a bull horn saying calmly, “Civil disobedience WILL NOT be tolerated.” In context that is very easy to decipher. Resist, and we’ll shoot you.
Give up my baton? Never! Great to have you on my side. Hug, Linda
Linda Brady Traynham says:
July 7th, 2010
4:42 pm
Lynn, dear, I’m convinced. Upwards and onwards to more and better resisting of the tyranny we have already. (Don’t lie down on any railroad tracks, mind. I’m pretty sure this bunch would run over you.)
Gallantry, courage, laughter, research, intelligence, and defense of God, country, and family. Apple pie is fattening, it can take care of itself.
I don’t know that Patton would have slapped me, but he would certainly not approve of cowardice in the face of the enemy. That’s not what it was, though, that was mourning for what we have lost, not giving up. Yahoo! It’s time to go outside and watch the cows called up to be fed, have a glass of wine, fondle a goat or two…
Kurt says:
July 7th, 2010
9:53 pm
.oO(Linda? Give up? Uh, did El Paso just freeze over?? Uh, didn’t think so.)
Lynne says:
July 8th, 2010
10:08 pm
No, you all are not allowed to die!! You get sneaky, you mouth the platitudes, and then you fight! It may just a grab and hold, or educate and teach folks self-worth but you are not allowed to give up. How many times have you dealt with some moron that said “You must do this, that and the other thing.” Funny the world did not end when you blew him/her off. You may have found a better solution or not, but the world did not end. As George Carlin said” The people may be F***, but the planet is fine.”
I know I can get in a “poopy mood” over the rampant stupidity I witness. I am sure you have felt the same way; if you haven’t caught “poopy mood”. I may have to nominate you for Sainthood. If you are independent of the PTB’s you can’t be controlled. Get Mozilla and the private browser mode. Find proxies, the morons in Congress can’t figure out the damn Internet. Hell Iran and China can’t block all traffic. Do you think the USA can? Congress can’t even figure out Facebook or Twitter. I’m sure they will bring the full force of congress on the web that they have brought to moonshine runners, drug dealers and Illegal Aliens.
This gives me a warm and fuzzy. I won’t say the US gov. cant do this but if controling the internet ranks with illegal immigration, hate crimes, terrorists. I don’t think we have to worry much. But never hurts to be prepared.
Kurt says:
July 8th, 2010
10:58 pm
…..Puts on flack jacket and helmet for protection from flying objects thrown by Lynne…..
P.oopy
M.ood
S.yndrom
???
…Runs and hides behind Tony….
Lol
Lynne says:
July 8th, 2010
11:45 pm
Heck I’ll make Custer’s last stand look like a “Love In” I’m not here to lose. I may not win and I may die. But I won’t go down without a fight. Hell all they can do at worst is kill me. I really hope that does not happen!! But I can teach, I’m learning new skills all the time. I am now longer basing my tactics or strategy on what Obama does. I am taking a page of from US Grant. “I don’t want to hear what Lee will do to us. I want to hear what will do to Lee and win this damn war.” (Paraphrase)
Lynne says:
July 8th, 2010
11:49 pm
Kurt
P putting up with.
M man
S Stuff.
Don’t fuss with me. You like me or give up. I really don’t care which. Not here to be popular, just here to help.
Lynne says:
July 9th, 2010
1:22 am
History and they folks that study that topic are the closest to thing to being prophets. Not because they are brilliant but they notice patterns of history. I don’t think I’m smarter than Cicero about Ceasar. Funny how many those dictators are popularly elected. The folks that think using your military arm to create political outcomes. But then again most folks don’t realise that Dictator can be popularly elected. Study Rome, Greece and the French revolution. I have no desire of another Robspierre. No random violence, I won’t have what the founders built torn down and become a revolution of the guillotine. I can live with justice, and perhaps let a few guilty go free but I will not fill a bloodlust of punishment. You want that go to Iran.
Lynne says:
July 9th, 2010
2:01 am
No easy answers but giving up is not an option. Get fired up we have a chance of restoring the Constitution as written. No pouting, get out an elect. If they suck run yourself. Personally I’d like to draft my Congress critters and leave my Military volenteer. But I read a lot of Heinlein. Hell I’d run myself but I’m not a good fundraiser. Though I’m already on the public dole. I like to think my head could not be seayed by lobbiest. But you can convince yourself it’s for the “Greater good”. No I think not, I’d serve if the public called me to do so, but there is no office I would seek other than benevolent despot. That seldom comes up on the ballot! Plus I hope I would put myself out of a job. But I know I’d try to shape the country in my vision. It’s not my country to shape. It’s your country and mine to shape. With all those fights, hell I like a good fight.
Lynne says:
July 9th, 2010
2:56 am
Of cource you get down. Heck the moron in charge work on that frustration. Look at the French revolution of how things can spiral beyond any ones control. Keep your chin up and go gray man as much as possible. For some of us we are already commited. As Fraklin said we shall be hung seperately, if we don’t hang together.
Assume it will get ugly then hope for the best.
Lynne says:
July 9th, 2010
3:01 am
Friday I will get salami and get pizza fixings. Maybe get my brisket cook off as well. Lets see Obama and congress control my salt intake then?
Desertrat says:
July 9th, 2010
11:12 am
I have a fairly simple philosophy of life: Don’t do crimes against persons. Don’t do crimes against property.
But there’s no such thing as crimes against government.
Lynne says:
July 11th, 2010
12:47 am
Actually severl folks said “treat others as you wish to be treated”. Not perfect because of “human nature” . But not bad it could work….
jlsim66 says:
July 18th, 2010
8:03 pm
C’mon Linda we count on you to lead the fight. I know you can get in a poopy mood and it gets work. I do hope a few of us can step in to carry the battle to the Powers That Be. We won’t lose, it may get ugly but we control the food and transportation. We can grow gardens. Why do you think they(the Feds) are trying to control food and fuel supplies?
Hell no it ain’t over till we give up!! Hell the US gov. is doubling down on stupid. We are not, get smart go to credit unions. Get as much moneyout of the system as possible. Get commodity rich, and on a cash basis as much as possible. All we have to do is buy into ND. Flyover country is fair somewhat solid.