Len Savage emailed me his reaction to "Awkward" by Mike Vanderboegh, and consented to to my posting his thoughts here:
I understand some have not personally committed to do that, and understand all the reasons better than most--economic, social reputation, becoming a listed target for government scrutiny...been there, done that. The perceived negative repercussions are all true.
And yeah, I know about "Publius," but Madison, Jay and Hamilton had already put their necks in the noose--self-preservation wasn't their motivation.
Here's the thing: Someone who only has their toe in the pool can withdraw it at any time and appear dry. Not so with someone immersed in the deep end. It's all about commitment, without which, Liberty will never be won.
Yes, taking a stand makes you a target. And few targets make for easy pickings. I hold no hope that we'll ever be a few million self-proclaimed, at least until not after the time where that counts has passed.
Here are some questions all gun owners need to consider:
What will you do when the corrupt elites in power, abetted by their socialist media allies, fool enough of the people enough of the time and lock in control of the legislatures?
What will you do when they tell you to register your guns?
What will you do when they order you to get their permission to own your registered guns in the form of paid licenses with arbitrary and mutable qualifying standards?
What will you do when they tell you that your license application has been rejected, that your registered guns have been banned, that you must turn them in or face arrest and imprisonment?
I know what my answer will be, inspired by another contemporary patriot and friend.
Just so we're clear: I'm not chastising you personally for not following suit. Believe me, I understand why most will not. But in return, don't expect me to be particularly receptive to criticisms of "absolutists," people who have made a commitment, coming from safe quarters unknown.
My name is David Codrea and I will not disarm.
Mike's essay is certainly provocative. It appears to have forced some people from their comfort zone. He made people "think" [including me].A few Americans are putting it on the line, men like Len Savage, Ryan Horsley, Mike Vanderboegh, men who do not hide behind a veil of anonymity to escape repercussions. The Founders knew this, knew that Liberty required standing up, taking risks, pledging "Lives...Fortunes...and sacred Honor." These men who assume that spirit are following in their footsteps.
"Thinking and Acting before Feeling."
Good advice, I have had to suspend my emotions while engaging ATF on it's unlawful, and unconstitutional behavior. Passion is fine, emotions will give them a button to push. Why give them the option?
"But not the Americans, as the Abbe Raynal observed. They were "an 'enlightened people' who knew their rights and the limits of power and who, unlike any people before them, aimed to think before they felt."
Given the historic percentages of how many "Colonists" actually participated in the formation of America, I may be wrong, but would expect the same numbers would apply to current citizens who know their rights and limits of the power of government.
"Aren't you worried they'll come after you?" No, I told them, I wasn't. I knew that if they decided to come for me, worrying about it wasn't going to make any difference."
This is where the real power of an American resides, not violence. I KNOW at some point the ATF WILL come for me. I decided I will not stop exposing ATF contrivances until that day.
Maybe John Ross was right when he wrote "After the first one, the rest are free". When I went to US v. Glover [BATFE Fails The Test], I was marked as a target by ATF. I realized "the rest were free", hell I was already marked [read that threatened, screwed with, and leaned on]. I discovered there is "Freedom" in my situation now.
Fear plays no part in my decisions to testify about ATF malfeasance, tampered evidence etc.
I understand some have not personally committed to do that, and understand all the reasons better than most--economic, social reputation, becoming a listed target for government scrutiny...been there, done that. The perceived negative repercussions are all true.
And yeah, I know about "Publius," but Madison, Jay and Hamilton had already put their necks in the noose--self-preservation wasn't their motivation.
Here's the thing: Someone who only has their toe in the pool can withdraw it at any time and appear dry. Not so with someone immersed in the deep end. It's all about commitment, without which, Liberty will never be won.
Yes, taking a stand makes you a target. And few targets make for easy pickings. I hold no hope that we'll ever be a few million self-proclaimed, at least until not after the time where that counts has passed.
Here are some questions all gun owners need to consider:
What will you do when the corrupt elites in power, abetted by their socialist media allies, fool enough of the people enough of the time and lock in control of the legislatures?
What will you do when they tell you to register your guns?
What will you do when they order you to get their permission to own your registered guns in the form of paid licenses with arbitrary and mutable qualifying standards?
What will you do when they tell you that your license application has been rejected, that your registered guns have been banned, that you must turn them in or face arrest and imprisonment?
I know what my answer will be, inspired by another contemporary patriot and friend.
Just so we're clear: I'm not chastising you personally for not following suit. Believe me, I understand why most will not. But in return, don't expect me to be particularly receptive to criticisms of "absolutists," people who have made a commitment, coming from safe quarters unknown.
My name is David Codrea and I will not disarm.