It was August 19th, 1920. A military detachment of Red Army soldiers led by Bolshevik authorities steamrolled into the Russian town of Khitrovo to implement a policy known as “Prodrazvyorstka”; resource allocation in the name of national security which led to the confiscation of vital grain supplies and the starvation of millions of peasants. To be sure, multiple excuses were used to rationalize the program, all in the name of the “greater good”. But in reality, Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks saw the farming culture of Russia not as human beings, but as mechanisms for feeding city residents and the army; the power centers of the newly formed Communist government.
This attitude of collectivism (and elitism at the highest levels) and the treatment of the food producing subsection of the populace as slaves to the machine predictably generated the desire for civil unrest and even rebellion. By the time the Red Army had entered Khitrovo, the region was already a tinderbox. After they had taken everything of value and began to beat elderly men in public view as an example to the rest of the town, a war had ignited.
At the height of what was later called “The Tambov Rebellion”, over 50,000 – 70,000 Russian citizens had taken up arms against their oppressive government, including Red Army soldiers who left their posts to join the cause. Vastly outnumbered, and technologically outclassed in every way, the guerilla fighters managed to infiltrate multiple levels of Bolshevik society and government, and had struck debilitating hits against Russian infrastructure. So great was the threat, that Lenin along with Red Army leadership ordered chemical warfare to be used in the forests where guerrillas were thought to be dug in, as well as summary executions of civilians, many of whom were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Concentration camps were built, mostly to house women, children, and elderly people thought to be related to insurgents and to be used as bargaining chips. Eventually, the rebellion diminished, but not before Lenin was forced to end the policy of Prodrazvyorstka along with many other directives that had angered the Russian public.
The Soviets later attempted to erase all memory of the event, destroying records and removing public figures who might recount what had happened. However, the fight against collectivist control and state power continued through numerous movements until the break-up of the empire decades after.
Now, many historians and cynics of today would label the Tambov Rebellion an overall failure. They did not succeed in removing Lenin and the Bolsheviks. They did not defeat the Red Army. They did not directly put an end to Prodrazvyorstka, though they did trigger a chain of dominos which forced Lenin’s hand. There was no glowing victory as there was during the American Revolution centuries before. The freedom fighters were mostly forgotten until the fall of the Berlin Wall and the release of documentation that had survived the purge. However, what these men and women did accomplish was to set an example; to remind us of the ongoing and inevitable battle between oppressive establishments and the people they seek to dominate.
Even in the nightmare world of communist Russia, from the conquests of Lenin, to the terrors of Stalin, even in the face of organized and energized tyranny, people decided to fight rather than quietly live in servitude. The lesson we are taught by the Tambov Rebels is that there is no such thing as unassailable empire, that free thinking people will ALWAYS exist, that the drive for independence is inborn and inherent, and that no oligarchy will stand unopposed for very long.
Another lesson we learn, is that defiance is a virtue unto itself. It is its own means, and its own end. Wherever people seek truth, and honor, no consequence is foreboding enough to stop them. Defiance takes no notice of the threat of death.
Some may question the example of the rebellion described above and its relevance to our times. “Surely”, they will say, “the days of concentration camps, martial law, food confiscation, and general war against the people by most governments are long gone.” We are living in more “civilized times”, where technology and reason prevail. The gullibility of this world view is hard to ignore…
In fact, Americans today may very well bear witness to similar or far worse tragedies in the coming years if current presidential directives and congressional legislation are any indication. It has become obvious that the Patriot Acts which many in the public rolled over for (under some protest) were a mere warm up to policies like the following:
FISA: An overarching domestic surveillance bill which joins the cooperative efforts of corporations and government agencies.
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/07/senate-approv-1/
The John Warner National Defense Authorization Act: A Bush supported action which allows the president to unilaterally declare a “public or national emergency” for any reason he wishes without congressional consent and institute martial law policies aimed at suppression of the populace (the president is requires by the act to “inform” congress of his intentions after 14 days, but does not give congress the power of oversight). Also solidifies the erasure of Posse Comitatus.
http://www.bordc.org/threats/hr5122.php
Presidential Directive 51: Signed in private by George W. Bush. Allocates further power to the president to declare a national emergency for any reason he sees fit and to institute Continuity of Government Policies (martial law, among other things). This directive was only partially released to the public, but the entire document remains classified, even to members of congress!
http://www.scribd.com/doc/7566901/PDD51
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA 2012): Incorporates policies outlined in John McCain and Joseph Lieberman’s thoroughly rejected “Enemy Beligerents Act”. Allows the president along with the Department of Homeland Security to label anyone, even an American citizen, and “enemy combatant” under the laws of war. Opens the door to the complete dismantling of Habeas Corpus, giving military authorities the ability to arrest U.S. citizens without warrant, without due process, without trial by civilian jury, to be held indefinitely. In other words, rendition and black-bagging of U.S. citizens regardless of civil liberties or the Constitution.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/environment/la-me-gs-national-defense-authorization-ruling-20120518,0,2046039.story
Assassination Programs: Obama has not only claimed the right to assassinate American citizens, he has executed such orders. This policy works as an extension of the NDAA, meaning, anyone can be labeled an enemy combatant without trial, and, that person can be detained, or killed, as such. These actions have been opposed by civil liberties unions and politicians alike, but because they have so far only been used against U.S. citizens working with “Al Qaeda”, the general public remains on the fence or oblivious to the dangerous precedent. The Constitution specifically outlines what is to be done with Americans who aid the enemy in times of war in the Treason Clause. The Treason Clause allows NO assassination or detainment without trial. In fact, it REQUIRES a trial by jury along with two witnesses testifying to the overt criminal act. The Treason Clause has been utterly ignored by the Obama Administration thus far.
http://www.peoplesworld.org/kucinich-bill-aims-to-stop-assassinations-of-u-s-citizens/
National Defense Resources Preparedness Executive Order: Obama recently signed this executive order which allows the president and the DHS to commandeer or confiscate public and private resources (any resources) in the name of national security, and, even allows for what essentially amounts to forced labor of U.S. citizens in the name of the “national good”. An almost exact replication of the powers claimed by Lenin and the Bolsheviks that triggered the Tambov uprising.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/16/executive-order-national-defense-resources-preparedness
http://reason.com/archives/2012/04/07/is-serfdom-an-executive-order-away
Internment And Resettlement Operations: A secret Department of Defense document recently leaked to the public outlines extensive planning on the part of the government to use DHS and FEMA to “relocate” U.S. citizens and detainees to internment camps for processing. Triggers for such a policy could include natural disasters, man-made disasters, and terrorist attacks, among many others. The document specifically requires “special exceptions” to Posse Comitatus, allowing for military operation of the camps in question.
http://info.publicintelligence.net/USArmy-InternmentResettlement.pdf
The response to many of the disturbing provisions listed above has so far remained in the legal and political realm. A considerable portion of those aware of the dangerous path our government has taken over the past decade alone is to approach the problem from the top down. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to realize or understand the greater crisis at work.
As matters stand, there is very little recourse politically outside of full state nullification under the 10th Amendment. At the pace these executive orders and draconian bills are being churned out and slapped with a stamp of approval, the American people would have to unseat the president, not to mention almost every sitting Senator, and every Congressman, replacing them with true Constitutional statesmen and revamping Washington D.C. in the span of a few years in order to prevent the inevitable totalitarian abuse of the legal powers that now exist. This is not going to happen. Given that almost every president and presidential candidate for the last few decades has supported identical policies as far as expanding government power, voting in one party or the other (at least at the national level) does not appear to make much difference anymore.
Legally, every avenue is being explored, but with little progress. The recent block on the NDAA by 4th District Court Judge Katherine Forrest was a moment of hope amongst anti-NDAA proponents, but the end result was obvious to some of us in the Liberty Movement who know the history of legal action against such legislation. So far, the Obama Administration has stated that her ruling is basically of no consequence to them, and that they will continue to implement the NDAA as they see fit. Apparently, the Judicial Branch now only has a say in matters of government when it agrees with the position of the president or DHS. This shows conclusively that the government intends to ignore court based decisions that are contrary to desired policy, and that while the legal fight should be pursued, we should not expect much in the results department.
So, where does this leave us? If we cannot redress our grievances through elections, or through the courts, what is there for a freedom loving American to do? Though the thought causes some to shudder, it is not only logical but imperative that we look at the existing alternatives seriously. Invariably, if a government was to widely enforce any or all of the policies listed above, the result would be citizen dissent, peaceful and militant.
When a social system becomes so corrupted that its only prerogative is its own survival and self perpetuation, even at the cost of the life and liberty of the people it was originally tasked to defend, the populace has no choice but to question whether that system should continue to exist any longer. Conflict, is unavoidable.
As clear as this fact is to anyone with any sense, though, I find that many seem to treat the idea of physical action as astonishing, or shocking. Some even laugh as if the concept is outdated and absurd. Yet, they never seem to have an answer to the primary underlying question: What else is there? If working within the system only results in wasted effort and wasted time, what do the naysayers plan to do? Curl up in a ball and die? Or perhaps join the venomous establishment they could not subdue?
As discussed earlier, the Tambov Rebellion and examples like it impress upon the narrow-minded visions of failure. To them, defiance, real defiance, leads only to death and disaster. The key to their extraordinary mistake is that they assume that defiance is about the “assurance” of victory. There are never any assurances. There were no assurances of victory for the Founding Fathers, there were no assurances for the Tambov Rebels, and there are no assurances for us if we one day have to draw a line in the sand against the very system we were born into.
At bottom, the debate over solutions within the system versus solutions from without is irrelevant. On our current course, there is no other choice for the average American but to say no, regardless of the law, or the threat of its violent enforcement. Rebellion, in all its forms, is as natural as the cycles of the Earth. It reoccurs time and again, sometimes suppressed, but not for long. The horrors of governments gone rogue are no secret. We have so many examples in history to draw from it is hard to imagine any crime despots have NOT visited upon innocents. Frankly, if control thirsty elites can refine tyranny down to a science by examining the mistakes of the past, there is nothing stopping us from refining defiance down to an art form as well. Again, what other choice do we have, but to take heart in the knowledge that though there is no assurance of victory, there is also no assurance of defeat.
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written by Arthur G. Brina , June 06, 2012
Political Activism, if directed at improving the material lives of the greatest number of Americans, will do the most to reduce the political power that the central government has over our once unalienable rights.
Imposing a 50% plus tariff rate on everything imported into this country will force business to maximize the use of American Labor and resources. This would mean an increase of more than 30 million full-time private sector jobs in this country and do more to equitably (note: not equally) distribute income over the largest swath of population within the USA. Like Japan in the '60s, Korea in the '80s , real median income would more than double in less than a decade.
A political movement to create and sustain an economic order that would improve the material well-being of the great majority, will be able to pursue the related goal of preserving liberty for this same majority, and to gain for them the political relevance they deserve.
It is, after all, always all "about the economy".
written by pryaq , June 06, 2012
"Political Activism, if directed at improving the material lives of the greatest number of Americans, will do the most to reduce the political power that the central government has over our once unalienable rights. "..........naïve! Read my speech from 1775
written by Brandon Smith , June 06, 2012
@Pryaq
What speech are you talking about? Could you provide a link?
written by E.R. , June 06, 2012
http://www.history.org/almanac...giveme.cfm
(among many other sources)
written by Jolly , June 06, 2012
Our corrupt government is bankrupt, so tax slaves can hasten its demise peacefully by simply leaving.
That's exactly what our forefathers did, so it can hardly be described as subversive.
The idea of America was revolutionary and ground-breaking, but governments always become ossified and oppressive over time...
The U.S. is no different than empires that started off freedom-loving, but gradually grew more and more oppressive. The idea of America will live on, it just might be somewhere else.
In fact, increasingly developing nations are competing for talented immigrants by offering MORE freedom. This phenomenon is in its infancy at the moment, but it's only going to get more prevalent.
In the 21st century, being tied forever to the nation-state of your birth is an anachronism.
written by Brandon Smith , June 06, 2012
@ER
I know where the line is from, I am just trying to find out if Pyraq is calling Patrick Henry's Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death speech naive?
If so, what part is naive?
written by Brandon Smith , June 06, 2012
@Jolly
A system of GLOBAL centralization and tyranny is being put in place. Where are we supposed to run to?
Also, are you saying that we should not fight back, try to avoid the problem, and just pass it off to our children?
written by Unity , June 06, 2012
All we have to do is stop the system. Each one of us is a cog in the wheel, by simply uniting as a people. The entire world would need to unite and stop participating in the system. If we just staged massive world wide sit ins where the people refused to work, buy, sell, and use any form of money we would take our power back.
Money is the tool used to keep everyone in check. No matter what country you live in, you must struggle for that paper in order to survive.
We simply have to stop using any form off money, and that would mean to stop working since we all work simply for money.
This does not mean we dont have to work, we all have to work, by the question is why do we work? We work for money, therefore are slaves to money.
Back when slavery was more open than now, the Owners of the slaves had to house and feed the slaves. In this era the slaves house and feed themselves.
Unity is the key, but we are all to busy and distracted with minute issues that we refuse to unite as one humanity and continue to be divided and conquered.
This is a different revolution where it can be attained through non-violent, non-participation of the system.
Gandhi had the right idea, we simply have to expand it and implement it in a bigger context.
Money, which is created by governments, which are controlled by secret governments behind the scenes, is the problem.
We are not free, this is why it is called freeDUMB.
But it takes unity. So lets unite.
written by Kathy Sexton , June 07, 2012
MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.
Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!
They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable²and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace²but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? 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 course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
written by Jolly , June 07, 2012
@ Brandon Re: "A system of GLOBAL centralization and tyranny is being put in place. Where are we supposed to run to? Also, are you saying that we should not fight back, try to avoid the problem, and just pass it off to our children? "
Not at all... Where I disagree with you is largely definitional. I agree with you 90% of the time, and I think most of your analysis is some of the most spot-on and insightful commentary out there.
But I believe there's a solution that's FAR more devastating to the status quo than "fighting back", at least in the conventional sense.
"Unity" in his/her reply above gets to the crux of it: Stop participating... Opt-out... Turn your back on the system... Deny the system all of your productive energy, and it will collapse. Easier said than done, I'll admit, but it's a far more powerful catalyst to change and I contend that societies are slowly moving in that direction in any case.
Look at the global "System D" (black market) economy. Robert Newirth's "Stealth of Nations: The Global Rise of the Informal Economy" posits that the black market economy is the second largest economy in the world. It is outside the control of nation states, government rules or regulations and recognizes no borders... So yes, even as global centralization and tyranny is growing, so is a very powerful countervailing force. You can't have yin without yang.
Again, I think Unity above hints at the framework of a solution... I would add the following:
1) Don't vote: It only encourages them... More accurately, since both parties have their own flavor of tyranny (generally speaking Republicans push fear, Democrats push dependence), your vote either way is a vote for tyranny.
2) Don't protest: Look how quickly both the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street were co-opted by statists, collectivists, crony capitalists, fascists, etc. (These are all different flavors of tyranny).
3) Don't pay taxes: No, I'm not suggesting tax evasion, I'm suggesting doing it legally: Earn as little income as possible, so the state is denied the fruits of your labor.
4) Be debt free always: Or if you do need to borrow, do it from friends, family, or completely outside the banking system.
4) Become as self-sufficient as possible: Grow your own food, live off-grid... Exploit free energy resources (solar, wind, rain). The truth is that self-sufficiency is not nearly as hard a slog as it once was. Technological advances and knowledge transfer/best practices made largely available through the Internet make self-sufficiency within our grasp. Here's an example; The biggest social control myth in the world today centers around food... That it's next to impossible to feed ourselves and our families. That is utter and complete nonsense. Libertarian farmer Joel Salatin tells the story of an urban farm in St. Louis that feeds 20 people year-round on 1/12th of an acre!
5) Support localism, embrace barter and exchange networks. Don't shop at Wal Mart, shop at your local hardware store.
6) And yes... Leave: The best examples of the profound effects of this simple strategy can be observed by looking at what happens in high-tax/high-regulation states like California or New York... In this decade, California has witnessed the biggest population exodus in its history. Not coincidentally, the state is collapsing and has a budget deficit this year of $16 billion. There's no reason this can't work on a national as well as state level.
If you deny your productive energy to tyrannical systems of government, it is absolutely inevitable... They will collapse!
written by Sheila , June 07, 2012
The best revenge is to live a good life. Remove yourself from the system, become self-sufficient (that is, don't depend on the government for your livelihood) and stop complying with that which is wrong. If you fight the system, that's what gives them power.
Peace,
Sheila
www.survivingsurvivalism.com
written by Brandon Smith , June 07, 2012
@Jolly
I'm well aware of the tenets of non-participation, and I wish that were enough, but you still haven't addressed my questions. If this tyranny goes global (as is the openly admitted plan), where do you plan to run to?
Also, if force is applied, and you and your family are under PHYSICAL threat regardless of where you are, what do you plan to do about it?
And finally, non-participation requires a certain groundswell of mass support. What if this is not achieved (most movements for freedom are supported by a minority of people, let's be honest), what do you plan to do if a large majority of people decide to bow down to the oligarchy instead of opt-out along side you? The solutions I advocate specifically focus on individuals and small groups, not mass action. I also understand that there is no such thing as defiance, peaceful or not, without risk. Show me an example of ANY successful movement against an establishment system in which people did NOT put themselves in harms way.
@Sheila
So, explain to me, how do you "live the good life" in Stalinist Russia, or Fascist Germany? Show me an example of ANY successful movement against an establishment system in which people did NOT put themselves in harms way.
written by Jolly , June 07, 2012
@ Brandon... All good points:
1) I think global tyranny will collapse before it can establish a long-term foothold. That's not to say it won't be messy in the interim. Sociopaths who covet power won't easily give in, so you're absolutely correct that there's likely to be physical threats and force applied.
That said, I also believe the trend is inexorably towards DE-centralization rather than centralization. As Charles Hugh Smith says, "Systems in which diversity and variation - what we call dissent, innovation and experimentation -- have been eliminated in favor of monocultures that offer greater efficiency (e.g. global tyranny) are increasingly vulnerable to disruption and collapse.
This has been made largely possible by the Internet which has disambiguated every centralized structure imaginable (including government). It's a huge threat to existing power structures which is why they are so keen to regulate it...But that can never work. The hive mind will always route around authoritarian attempts at control.
2) If force is applied, by all means, fight back! And with everything you've got. I'm only suggesting that it should be a last resort. Khitrovo's revolutionaries had no options. We still do -- at least for now.
3) Non-participation does require a certain groundswell of support, but it's smaller than we think. Call it "social fractals", the "Pareto Principle", the "80-20 rule" whatever. Every time we see a raw food store raided by SWAT teams, children's lemonade stands shut down by police, protestors beaten senseless by state thugs, etc. more and more people wake up (the Internet again!). It may be a few of us now, but they can't keep us mollified with bread and circuses forever. It didn't work in Rome, and it won't work now...
And finally, non-participation requires a certain groundswell of mass support. What if this is not achieved (most movements for freedom are supported by a minority of people, let's be honest), what do you plan to do if a large majority of people decide to bow down to the oligarchy instead of opt-out along side you?
written by Brandon Smith , June 07, 2012
@Jolly
1. Decentralization is the basis of the alt-market project, and I have been writing about it for 6 years, however, I think it's also very important not to make assumptions. I cannot assume that the globalists will not be able to institute a worldwide control grid, and I KNOW that economies of most countries are primed for collapse, so, moving out of the U.S. is NOT a viable or practical solution. It also does not address the wider problem of tyranny, it only kicks the can down the road for yourself. I believe our responsibilities as awake and aware people go far beyond merely trying to prolong our own lives, and this includes fighting if necessary (which invariably will happen given the circumstances we currently face).
2. As I outlined in the article, our time is growing very short. The government has already established the legal powers to implement policies which were common under Lenin and Stalin. Not to mention, the global economy is long past due for a considerable implosion. How much more time do you expect that we have?
3. Even with an 80% majority movement, sociopaths do not tend towards giving up power peacefully. Show me an example where only 20% of a population opted-out of an establishment system without facing violence and were successful.
The broader message of the article is to point out that defiance is not optional in the face of tyranny, if we wish to remain free, and that activists and revolutionaries are required to take risks if they wish to see any change. If one looks at historical precedent, running away, trying to game the system, and often, refusing to physically defend one's self, does nothing to solve the progression of despots or the systems they establish. It's nice to dream of a day when a mass majority of people simply stop participating and the elites "throw in the towel" without a fuss (death and destruction). Unfortunately this has never been a realistic expectation.
written by Me , June 07, 2012
Brandon,
What steps to you recommend the average person to take then?
written by Brandon Smith , June 07, 2012
@Me
Prepare for the eventuality that you may have to defend yourself. Train diligently every week in firearms, martial arts, etc. Build strong community around you, make it your mission to have your barter networks and mutual aid groups in place before the year is out. Toughen your mind and your disposition. Research historical examples of corrupt governments as well as social breakdowns. Know what is likely to happen. Understand that you may have to struggle, or even suffer. It's not going to be fun...
If you have a Sheriff or County Commissioner that you know is an Oath Keeper, talk with them about setting up a sheriff's posse or county sponsored militia. Make connections in veteran's halls, your church, your Ron Paul group, any organization that is likely to have liberty minded people involved. Set up your own neighborhood watch, perhaps...
Accept the fact that many state and federal officials may not help you, or may even go out of their way to make your life miserable (Katrina). Learn how to do as many important tasks as you can for yourself. Do not expect that a collapse or martial law situation will end quickly. In fact, expect that it will go on for quite some time.
written by Sheila , June 08, 2012
stop complying now!!
Enough said
STOP
Sheila
www.survivingsurvivalism.com
written by Spartan , June 10, 2012
Pyraq was referring to the previous comment by Arthur as being naive. He was not saying that Patrick Henry was naive in his Give Me Liberty speech. At least that's the way it appears to me. And I would most certainly have to concur with Pyraq's assessment.
Brandon, I knew even before finishing this article that it would elicit a lot of comments. Defiance is not something that comes easy for most people in our current society and you can see that in the responses by Arthur, Jolly, etc. When the right solution carries great risk I think it's just human nature to try and find alternative solutions to what you instinctively and intellectually know. Having courage is the only way to overcome this.
We are taught in life to get along and do as we're instructed by those in authority in a civil manner and to work out our differences. To defy authority is bad. But what happens when that authority does not have your best interest at heart? This is obviously our current situation and it requires a gut-check. I think reading and rereading PH's 1775 speech goes a long way in gathering our courage and helping us experiencing a positive gut-check. A stiff drink our your favorite adult beverage always helps too. I recommend Wild Turkey.
Defiance is a virtue especially when analyzing our current relationship with our federal gov't. There are numerous ways to display that defiance but we must all prepare ourselves for the ultimate act of defiance.
Thanks again for another well written and timely article.
written by Brandon Smith , June 10, 2012
@Spartan
Thanks. I wish people would be more clear in their posts. It's sometimes hard to tell what they are trying to say.
I agree with your assessment wholeheartedly. As a people we have been conditioned like lab rats to take the path of least resistance. It is terrifying to the average American to say "no" to authority, even if it's corrupt and illegitimate authority. Of course, trying to compromise with the bully in the schoolyard rarely if ever works. In fact, placating and rolling over for the sake of "peace" usually only encourages tyrants to become even more violent and brazen.
Most often, you just have to punch him in the teeth, and show him how vulnerable he really is to the people he seeks to terrorize, before he stops...
