It is inevitable. There comes a point in the development of every crisis, every catastrophe, every impending disaster, every act of methodical dictatorship, in which the generations selected by fate or destiny to endure the trial must attempt to look beyond the intellectual and the psychological, to deeply consider the greater philosophical or spiritual questions of their epoch. Certain moments in history demand that truly free individuals relinquish their cynicism, and embrace that inherent world of form and conscience that exists in each of us but remains largely unexplained. Without this act of “faith”, or intuitive knowing, good cannot exist, inspire, or prevail.
To understand what we face in our age of encroaching technocracy draped like glistening silicon across the face of a third world American cesspool, we must accept certain realities; the first and foremost being the existence of “evil”. Not the evil of ignorance, that is easy to recognize. Not the evil of apathy and moral relativism, though the stench of both sharply permeates the sour underside of our culture. No, I am talking about pure, unbiased, unflinching, perfectly conscious and fully absorbed evil. The kind that they tell stories about. The kind that history books speak of almost in awe, as if it is miraculous in nature. A dark tide. A prehistoric leviathan. An unbelievable and seemingly inhuman myth made manifest by astonishingly vile despots.
This evil is so overwhelming that many people today scarcely imagine it possible. It is our society’s greatest weakness; the denial of ultimate malice.
Our current governmental system has adopted a policy of open theater, in which the two sides of the false paradigm now barely hide their farcical opposition to each other. Their rhetoric no longer obscures their acts of political collusion in the destruction of our founding principles and Constitutional protections. In the past several years they have acted in the best interests of corporate minorities and moneyed elites without hiding their intentions towards globalism and the destruction of sovereignty, fearlessly spitting on the redresses of the public. All of this while they arm themselves to the teeth with billion-plus round stockpiles of ammunition and Orwellian surveillance technologies. Yet, foolish subsections of our populace still argue that the government is a “product of elections”, and is “made up of Americans for Americans”. Even if we do not see them as an enemy, they certainly see us as such.
Our financial system is a stampeding procession of nightmare fueled blood-drenched circus freaks dancing in an ether driven haze of pungent absurdity. It is as if our economy has become a morbid parody of itself, like a queasy piece of horror/comedy cinema. We are so far along in the collapse of our markets that the banksters no longer see the need to hide the fraud. With the advent of the Libor Scandal, governments, central banks, corporate financiers, all flaunt their criminality with pride. Yet, some Americans still clasp their naïve hopes to a chance of fiscal recovery.
To fight against an evil of this magnitude takes more than anger, or physical preparation, or organization. It takes personal exploration, a steeling of one’s heart, and a conquering of one's shortcomings.
Tyranny, true tyranny, thrives on our selective awareness, and our ability to bend our minds and our vision to avoid seeing that which is really there. In the end, victory over tyranny is less about guns, bombs, mass dissent, and civil fury; it instead requires an acceptance of the dark side of the world, and the unwavering will of honorable men ready to face it. That is to say, the defeat of tyranny begins and ends in the mind.
In America today, many minds are not ready to handle the trials ahead. Maybe it’s the ease of several generations of uninterrupted prosperity. Maybe it’s the Babyboomers. Maybe it’s Generation X. Maybe it’s the public education system. Maybe it’s the water. Maybe it’s all of the above and more. At this point, we have little time to debate symptomatic culprits. It is time to go to the root of the problem, and cut it out.
What we need is a foundation, a set of “personal rules for combat” when engaging a tyrannical establishment. This “code” should above all else provide a way of mentally and spiritually confronting one’s own weaknesses and presumptions. Dictators and oligarchs are not our primary concern. Our inner state is.
Rule #1: Stop Waiting For Others To Fight The Battle For You
If you want to put an end to totalitarianism, you can’t sit around waiting for other people to solve the problem for you. The greatest downfall of any political campaign (even when led by a liberty minded candidate) is the centralization of popular focus on a single man. There is no knight in shining armor coming to lead the Liberty Movement to the promised land. These unrealistic expectations will only end in disappointment and nihilism. The solution starts not with others, but with YOU. Where do you contribute to freedom? What actions have you taken? Who have you inspired? What ideas have you offered? What project have you organized, struggled for, sweat for? Take the reigns of your own destiny and finally join the fight instead of perusing the internet longing for a guru to hand you a mission.
Rule #2: Believe In Something Greater Than Yourself - Abandon Childish Cynicism
This is where we get all “spiritualized”, which for the typical cynic is a rather gooey and uncomfortable affair. If accepting a higher purpose to the universe and your own existence is too much for you, then at least consider deeply the future of humanity in general. Think not of what mankind is today, but what mankind could be tomorrow if you make it so. Know that there is an indelible good within us, though it may be difficult to see at times. Cradle that spark, and champion its return. It is not enough to oppose tyranny. One must know exactly what he is fighting for in order to triumph.
Cynics do not make history, or change a country for the better. They are the forgotten dust wafting about in the wayward attics of time.
Rule #3: Deal With Your Fear, Or It Will Be Used Against You
A subjugating government’s size, military might, technological superiority, and overall gravitas are irrelevant. The fight will come whether we want it or not. Accept the fact that the fight is coming to YOU; your fear of it does not change the eventuality of it. Wars, especially those waged for freedom, are won by the will, not by arms or technology. Not by laser guided missiles and predator drones. Tyrants always have the advantage. They always have the upper hand. They win when they are able to convince the masses that this advantage makes them invincible and that resistance is a futile exercise. They lose when the people could care less about the size of the guns pointed at them.
All men are afraid to take risks, especially mortal risks. However, great men understand the necessity of risk in the pursuit of that which is right. Fear should play no part in your life, ever.
Rule #4: Understand The Nature Of Tyrants
Overcoming fear is one thing. Being overconfident is another. Understand that the evil you face is capable of absolutely any depravity in its lust for absolute control. Understand that the crimes you will one day witness in your battle to dethrone the autocrats are designed to rattle your will and eradicate your resolve. Know that to attain a free country you must struggle through social, economic, and physical carnage you never thought possible before. Be ready, psychologically and emotionally, for anything…
Rule #5: Dump Nihilists And Obstructionists By The Wayside
You can’t save everybody, and you certainly can’t impart a sense of greater purpose on cowards, weaklings, and nihilists. These people are inherently self centered, and seek only to prolong the ease and length of their own existences regardless of the cost to others. Nihilists in particular are so inwardly and subconsciously ashamed of their own weaknesses that they go out of their way, often obsessively, to project those weaknesses on the whole of the movement. They have to believe that if they are not capable of fighting back, no one else can be either, and they will shriek to the rafters about the impending doom of us all.
Nihilists and Obstructionists are dead weight on any dissenting activist movement, even though they pretend to support the cause, and should be tossed to the curb immediately. A revolution for liberty requires foresight, and courage. If a person does not meet both these criteria, they will eventually bring you down with them.
Rule #6: Find A Love For Humanity Once Again
I know as well as anyone how hard it is today to care about most people given the amount of utter stupidity so many display on a daily basis and the costs this behavior has accrued in our society over time. Get over it. Recognize that when you fight for freedom, you fight for EVERBODY, even people who have not earned your efforts. If you fight only for yourself, or your immediate circle, you will lose. Look at the bigger picture, and know the real breadth and consequence of this undertaking. Fight for all, or you might as well crawl into a shallow hole and pull the dirt over your head now.
Rule #7: Remain Adaptable To The Circumstances Of The Environment
Absorb what works, and cast off what doesn’t. Be stubborn in your principles and your resolve, but not in your strategies. Vulnerability comes with predictability. Blaze trails the tyrants don’t expect. Show them something they’ve never seen before. Be bold, or go home.
Rule #8: Retain Your Principles Or You Will Fail
The philosophical doctrine being peddled by elites in our military today states that “in order to defeat a monster you must be willing to act like a monster”. This is insanity. Forgoing one’s principles and adopting dishonorable and vicious methods is not the way of a warrior; it is the way of the tyrant. Remember what you are fighting for. This is not just about our personal survival, but the survival of a worthy ideal. Abandoning that ideal may give us the illusion of short term success, but in the long run, the cost will bankrupt our movement, demolish our moral high ground, and make hollow any victories we do achieve.
The Real Fight Is Within
Some may have stumbled upon this essay with the expectation that it would outline a kind of step-by-step instructional guide to crippling the globalists. Sorry to dissatisfy if that was the case, but it is better that we all comprehend now that there will never be such guide. As much as globalists and collectivists with aspirations of world dominance and total financial centralization are a threat to our way of life, the real fight, the fight that matters most, is not without, but within. We will overcome them only when we overcome our own failings.
I imagine many wish, as I surely wish, that simple days and comfortable times could continue on forever. The difficult truth is that history tests man, and sets the extraordinary apart from the mundane. Sometimes these tests are so epic in their scale that one wonders if anyone will step forward to weather the storm. Someone always does, and we owe those brave souls a debt of gratitude which can only be paid with our own stand in our own era. At the end of all things, we will either open the door to a better world, or we will cut our own throats. Tyranny is nothing but an opportunity for the best in all of us to rise.
You can contact Brandon Smith at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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written by COL Mike , August 16, 2012
Brandon
Very well said! I'm sure for most civilians it seems there are very few men/women that meet these traits. But rest assured there are many that will fight for what's right once they understand the big pcture.
There has always been men in history that have carried the many. And the time is not far away for the few strong character hearted to stand up and do what's right. And for those men/women that don't know themselves and are currently on the fence line, I have just one thing to say. If not you, then who will stand up and fight for the freedom of our children?
written by stealth , August 16, 2012
Thanks Brandon for reminding me why I am the way I am. Since the war I have lost my love for humanity seeing so much apathy and general degredation among the ignorant masses.
I don't know how much love I can muster for those unwilling or unable to fight for those they portend to love but I realize it's for me...not for them. Yes sir we are at the precipice looking down but I must regain that passion for life I used to have and use it for the good of all.
Its time to end the drought on the tree of liberty.
written by newbie prepper , August 16, 2012
" I'm sure for most civilians it seems there are very few men/women that meet these traits." - COL Mike
Don't fool yourself COL Mike. There's a whole crap load in the military that don't "meet those traits either", actually more so.
written by William Hunter Duncan , August 16, 2012
I agree, the true challenge is a spiritual one, which is to say, it is always a question of who I am, what am I doing in this world, and why? And yes, to be true in this fight, one must recover a love for humanity. I would add, in this time, a true imperative is to recover a love for the earth. That evil you speak of threatens to destroy the earth, our home, to make life untenable for any higher mammal. If we aren't clear about what needs to be saved, what needs to be cherished, then we cannot overcome. Blessings in that work,
www.offthegridmpls.blogspot.com
written by Don Levit , August 16, 2012
Brandon:
You hit on a topic that has captivated my mind recently: the fact that evil exists, not only in my own family, my own home, but also within me.
One of the reasons we tend to overlook evil is that we do not want to see the evil within.
We, too, are capable of atrocities, and we must honor that dark side of us.
Chasidic Jews believe in the yetzer hara, the bad inclination, and the yretzer tov, the good inclination.
We are born with both inclinations, but the evil inclination is stronger.
Thus, observant Jews attempt to follow the 613 Commandments, as a way to weaken the evil inclination, and strengthen the good inclination.
Each "mitzvah" has a physical and spiritual component, molding and shaping us for the fight for social justice.
It is important to associate as much as possible with people who can think past their noses, and even their own lives.
Unfortunately, that means disassociating with people I was formerly close to, even family.
It is excrutiating painful when others remind me of my own shortcomings.
Shalom,
Don Levit
written by COL D Mike , August 16, 2012
Newbie,
Sorry if I hit a nerve! Yes, there are indifferent, complacent, and malingers in every group. The point I was making is this. The next time you look around your neighborhood identify how many people will put in ALL on the line to save U? Or better yet, how many would throw it ALL away to follow me to defend the US Constitution?
Good luck to all, end of ranting here.
written by Mountain Man , August 16, 2012
Excellent article, observations, and comments. Of course, the more we grow the more we realize that the solution to all problems lies within each of us. We make the choices individually that will effect our futures. If we desire freedom we must be willing to stand strong and fight against her enemies with every fiber of body, mind and spirit.
If it is to be, it is up to me...
written by owl , August 16, 2012
given the amount of utter stupidity so many display on a daily basis and the costs this behavior has accrued in our society over time
exactly. this will be difficult...
good point Will Duncan. a love for the ancient planet once again. however, as a species, we might have done irreversable damage already.
written by Ordinary Joe , August 16, 2012
I read your list with great interest and distilled down to another list for reference. I agree with points 1 through 7. Point 8 needs more explanation. In its current form I would have to disagree with your analysis. An enemy is not defeated by taking the high ground, or being morally superior. War is waged with the intent and purpose to defeat the enemy. Much talk abounds about winning the hearts and minds of the populace. Based upon recent history, I would have to pull a Dr. Phil, "How's that workin' for ya?"
written by Lauriel , August 16, 2012
Wow...truth is so clear...couldnt of said it better myself...you are a kindred spirit Sir :)...btw...are you married ? LOL
written by Brandon Smith , August 16, 2012
@ordinary joe
I think you have missed the point of #8, and I think you need to think through that reasoning a little further.
Our current military and clandestine engagement procedures allow for quite a wide array of morally reprehensible behavior, including the torture and murder of civilians, yet we are still in Iraq and Afghanistan and have only made matters worse. So, the question you should be asking is "How's THAT workin' for ya?" Anyone can see it's not working out too well.
The idea that there are no rules in war is nonsense. Tell that to the Nazis who went to the Nuremberg Trials. They committed every atrocity in the book and some that aren't even in the book and yet they were still defeated by men most of whom did not rape pillage and murder innocents. An army that fights for what is right and does so honorably will always be stronger in mind, spirit, and force than an army that stoops to the most vicious criminality.
written by newbie prepper , August 17, 2012
"The next time you look around your neighborhood identify how many people will put in ALL on the line to save U? Or better yet, how many would throw it ALL away to follow me to defend the US Constitution?" - COL Mike
I'd trust private citizens to gooberment employees anyday.
written by practical theonomist , August 17, 2012
We must overcome evil with good... and that does not mean "milquetoast" good. As I've internalized a bit from Brandon regarding martial art principles, we overcome evil by never giving up, by outlasting the enemy even when we think we're done, by PREVAILING!
written by privateer1776 , August 17, 2012
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, than to take rank with those poor timid spirits that know neither victory nor defeat."-Teddy Roosevelt, Rough Rider. The hardest battle we face at times is the one with our own minds & spirits. Determination with integrity among other self-disciplines are the fuels that feed the machine. Truly the battle rages on and one can only hope to overcome that which is known to be wrong by fighting and winning one individual skirmish at a time. Let us look at our souls, prepare our hearts & minds and then join the battle with full purpose and a clear conscience.
written by bvillebill , August 17, 2012
This is a powerful article. Almost forty years ago, I swore an oath "To uphold and defend The Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, So help me God." I spent my finer years doing just that.
That oath is a life long commitment. So help US God!
written by Fellow Freedom Fighter , August 17, 2012
I am very thankful for this article. My eyes have been opened to alot of truths lately that it is so overwhelming. But I do hope with all my heart to become all I need to be and have all the strengths I need to have, along with my family also, to confront what lies ahead. God be with us all! Bless you for blessing me with this article!
written by Sheila , August 17, 2012
very good article, but I can add one more
stop complying!
survivingsurvivalism.com
written by JulieJ , August 17, 2012
Thanks so much Brandon Smith! It's SO good to read someone who thinks like I do and put it down in one place.
It was also great to find Don Levit's post, and a surprise! I wasn't expecting to find any Chassidus here but it was exactly what I needed to read. It was very helpful for being mindful of the channels the mitzvot really are.
I'm not around anyone in my daily life I'd feel comfortable even being observant around. It's difficult, it cuts the soul off from it's source of nourishment. There wasn't a lot I could do about it until my children were grown. So now I am starting to go through the same process Mr Levit found necessary, to disassociate with people who cannot see beyond their noses - and worse, cannot stand anyone else to either. It was helpful to read about someone else's experience with it.
Great article, great comments.
written by Don Levit , August 17, 2012
Julie:
How kind of you to mention my comments.
I have been attending Chabad for the last 5 years, and find it so encouraging.
Although I am not nearly as observant as the few who are, I find mutual encouragement in associating with them.
These were the first orthodox Jews I felt comfortable with, for Chabad "accepts" all Jews, at whatever level.
Shalom,
Don Levit
written by merovingian , August 17, 2012
excellent article.....evil, higher purpose, serving something greater than yourself, the fight within, taking a principled stand, not forgoing purpose for so called 'gain', tyranny being an opportunity to rise...and taking responsibility...I love it and great poignant principled article!
I often wonder the shallow humanism of so many 'preppers' that have no higher purpose to their 'prepping' other than to survive or to protect their precious worlds.....if there isn't anything greater than myself, even an ideal of that which is 'good', let alone god, then what's the point? it just becomes survival of the lowest denominator, vilest thug or soulless drone...
and the battle is within...because that's where evil lurks and gets it's foothold to weaken otherwise 'good' people, embolden thugs to push farther and to use those hapless drones that somehow have been deluded that than can be 'neutral' in this epic battle that is upon us...
one can see that there will be many opportunity for both cowardice and courage..for it's always the hardest of trials that forges true character or exposes the lack there-of..
i've always respected you brandon as someone with 'intuitive understanding' , and this article raises that a notch or two.....excellent!! inspiring! and affirming!
written by merovingian , August 17, 2012
brandon..you always use the BEST pictures to headline your articles!!
written by Geno , October 21, 2012
Our Government is heading towards tyranny there are so many groups and Politicians Senator's Governor Congressmen ect.. that are trying to disarm the people its scary. The US Government will disarm the citizens, that is the first sign of tyranny!
http://surveysarereal.blogspot.com/
