Showing posts with label advancing liberty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label advancing liberty. Show all posts

Friday, March 8, 2013

Resist or Rebel?



Resist or Rebel?
Charlie Earl

In the past couple of columns I have been urging those who cherish freedom to stand tall and fight back against the galloping tyranny that confronts us. I do understand the maxim that there are “different strokes for different strokes.” I wouldn’t want it any other way. What good is individual liberty if we are not unique individuals? Nevertheless, if you believe that our liberty is in peril, and if you feel strongly enough to defend and restore it, you may be seeking a strategy that fits you. Personally my primary tools are my big mouth and my keyboard, but you may have other devices that will work best for you. As a crusty curmudgeon, I take advantage of my natural inclination to bitch, moan and rant. Your personality and your personal toolbox may provide other more effective tactics for you.

Organization is one such tool. If you are one of those highly organized persons who have a knack for getting people to work together in a timely fashion, then you might consider finding others who share your passion for freedom. Bring them together, focus on the primary issues—locally, statewide and nationally—and brainstorm the types of EFFECTIVE responses that can initiated and sustained by your group. Your organization skills can be valuable for acquiring data, disseminating information and deploying patriots to address the issues. You may not be a gifted speaker or creative writer, but you have an internal “organizational chart’ that guides you through the process in an orderly manner. For a concentrated liberty movement to succeed your skills are vital.

Perseverance and dogged determination are critical components for any successful enterprise. If your temperament or personality is similar to a bulldog’s with a juicy bone, then you should be the rally master of your group. You are the one who stirs them up and gets them moving according to the organizational plan. You will not quit until victory has been achieved. Your obstinacy is usually an asset, but be absolutely certain that your goals are achievable. If they are impractical, your talents will be squandered because those who rally to your strengths will think you’re suicidal or delusional. You can use your obstinacy to encourage those around you who may waver, but it must be seen as strength by those who support your position. Opponents will characterize you as unreasonable and obdurate, but those who stand with you will rally to your steadfastness.

Perhaps you are one of those “strong silent types” who resists shouting, rallying or marching, but people respect your calm analysis. Your role can be a critical one for liberty. You can offer sage, measured advice about tactics or strategy, and you can be an effective recruiter for the freedom movement. Those who know you are aware that you are not fickle and will perceive that your involvement with a liberty effort lends it legitimacy. Even if you lack the fire of the passionate advocate or the bull-headedness of the determined activist, your thoughtful approach will attract others. Your greatest weakness within the movement is your reluctance to share your views with others when the opportunities arise. Your natural inclination is to “hold your own counsel” and to not get involved. Because of your reserve, your efforts as a recruiter can be very effective if you step up and step out.

Each of us has something to bring to the table. Those of you who have the gift of teaching can study and share your insights about the issues that confront us. In addition, you can utilize your skills by helping others to learn the basics of prepping or legal ways to resist a growing tyranny. Understand, learn and teach are the tools in your personal toolbox. Use your gifts to advance the cause of liberty. Resist or rebel? Understanding the situation and thorough preparation plus your individual talents will determine the proper course for you and others who desire freedom. Now…stand up and step out.

Charlie Earl


    


Monday, November 26, 2012

The Second Level



The Second Level
Charlie Earl

As a football aficionado and former mediocre running back, I’m aware that a solid ground game is usually necessary if a team is to succeed on game day. An effective running game requires the offensive linemen to do more than merely handle the defensive line. They must attack and neutralize the linebackers as well. Their efforts downfield can alter the game from a series of short plunges into a devastating yard-swallowing ground game. Consequently … when the running attack is successful, the defense is more vulnerable to the pass. Play action involves the quarterback faking a handoff to a running back, then looking downfield for an open receiver as the defensive backs hesitate because their first reactions are to lend run support. The bottom line is that a good offense is a result of running and passing complementing one another, and line blocking at the second level is a vital component for offensive success.

The time has arrived for liberty-loving people, patriots and constitutionalists to move to the second level if we expect to move the ball of freedom and gain ground versus the statists. When engaged in a make-or-break contest such as a playoff game or the future of the nation, scoring a shutout by totally dominating one’s opponent is desirable but highly unlikely. The key or purpose is to win. Tea Partiers, Liberty groups, 9-12 committees and their cohorts gained ground in the 2010 elections but not enough, however, to demonstrably change the American landscape. To continue our analogy…. we are stuck on our own 35 yard line with a positive but insufficient ground game. The liberal/progressive/socialist/statist cabals are our opponents, and they never become discouraged when we have small gains. They become more resolute and dangerous. Their linebackers, the second level, are people and politicians whom we have mistakenly assumed to be our allies. Their failures and weaknesses, their spineless acquiescence, and their “conservative rhetoric but statist actions” have provided cover and back-up for the progressives. That is why they are the second level.

Until the John Boehners, Eric Cantors, Kevin McCarthys, Mitch McConnells and others of their ilk are defeated by true libertarian constitutionalists, all patriot gains will be minimal and ineffective. I would attack the second level of Democrats, but I suspect the fiscally responsible ones have already left the party for the GOP or independent status. It is within the Republican Party that the greatest obstacles to constitutional self-determination now reside. Their “second level” enabling of the status quo allows us to have minor gains but no true victories. Their nefarious and unprincipled leadership has corrupted a once-grand party into an established mass of self-serving, ego-driven political tools. The kind of tools that the left enjoys exploiting and co-opting. The Republican “second level” has the backs of the leftists who are intent on tyranny.

If freedom loving people do not attack the second level with determination and vigor, many of our allies will grow weary of the fight. They will tire of small gains with little reward. They will lose hope and retreat into personal affairs and concerns. They will “go Galt” in the mental and psychological sense. They will not surrender, but they will disappear. Liberty, sweet Liberty must seize the moment and the momentum. We must advance to the second level and crush the opposition. We must exercise discipline and complete our assignments fully and effectively. We must defeat the second level to open the lane for big gains … and scores. We have no choice. We have no options. To engage in a continual slugfest while consistently losing the final score is a game plan for disaster. We must engage and control the second level to achieve victory. Just like a finely oiled offensive line, we must begin the assault simultaneously and coordinately. The scoreboard clock indicates that we are beginning the fourth quarter. Let’s break the huddle and let’s go.

Charlie Earl