My experience this weekend and the excellent article by JC Dodge HERE started a train of thought I couldn’t shake. I went to a training event a local group hosted and was treated to a particularly frustrating experience. Someone was there in Gucciflage all pretty and matchy-matchy (if George W. can invent words then so can this Texan) but failed to bring a holster for his sidearm (because who needs a holster when you look that good), so the planned iterations of transitions from long gun to handgun were interesting to say the least. Not that it mattered, as most had difficulty putting a controlled pair into steel at a 1/4 sized target 10 yards away with a handgun. I kid you not. The PT standards I and others had screamed for were scrapped for some feel-good joke of a run ( 11:30/mile is NOT a standard…it’s a brisk walk) and pushups on your knees, Girl Scout style. It deteriorated to a lot of back-patting and insistence that we all wear the same man-jammies (multicam of course) with a few pointed looks in my direction since I came in something solid and less threatening. While I attempt to refrain from expressing my frustrations and admittedly caustic sarcasm on here, as I feel I owe the readers a modicum of maturity and good-taste, I use the former to illustrate my point. I see much of the modern patriot movement doing exactly what we sneer at the Pentagon and military brass for doing, namely fighting the last war.
Society, industry, culture, warfare and just about every other aspect of civilization evolve. It is a natural and healthy part of a functioning ecosystem, whether that is literal or financial or martial in nature. Clubs begat swords and spears which begat muskets which eventually arrived at things like the Dillon Aero M134. Similarly, the way in which the last two wars were prosecuted against insurgencies were rather bungled, though exactly who should shoulder the blame I will leave to others more qualified. Many patriots point to the insurgencies in Iraq, Afghanistan and some Ireland as examples of how insurgencies can and do defeat regular forces. While there are salient points to be drawn from these historical events, very little critical and realistic thinking is done on the part of Captain Awesome running his ‘mulisha.’ I very much agree with both JC Dodge and Max Velocity on the abandonment of military uniforms, nomenclature and patches. Partly because I view it as a lack of creativity, someone who cannot think of an original name should not be counted on to think outside the box in operations, but also because I believe one should not act like the 800 lb. gorilla in the room unless you ARE the 800 lb. gorilla in the room…and probably not even then. While the uniform issue is easily enough remedied, I think it is endemic of a systematic failure of critical analysis of what and who the Taliban, Isis and IRA were. Three issues in which the patriot movement has significantly overestimated themselves and misidentified the success of these various groups is in funding, cultural influence and what I will refer to as population motivation.
1. Funding
h/t John
Amen.
Now what?
Form communities of like minded people. Once the group is large enough, control can start to be exerted. I seen this in real life living in the largest Amish population in the world. They where about 65% of the county’s population. They really did control what happened in the county. If you wanted the votes, you voted the way the Amish wanted. There was special treatment even in the courts. The Amish kids would get to talk to the leaders of their church and the English would get probation. They pooled their money and would purchase land they wanted.
Now where to do this is the question.
The one think I seen missing in the article is the fact that most of the insurgencies listed, most likely got their support from fear of retribution than actually a real shared ideology. This is a real consideration.
Couldn’t agree more!
Plenty of people have been discussing this for years but maybe it is simply a bit more organic and slower than many of us would like. My wife and I are headed back to take a look at Montana and Idaho this summer. Hell, it’s painful to think of leaving North Carolina having had family here since tha 1700s, but given current demographics and politics I just do not see an alternative. (My complaint is not the bathroom bill but the lack of politician’s willingness to address abuses, taxes, and regulations.)
In the end without having some structure offering legitimacy it affords little opportunity to advance. Many of the founders were active in government and and continued even after removed by the crown. If like minded people can gain control over public office with an eye on and commitment to preserving liberty we may yet found a much different path for our children.
That possibility, with a firm reliance upon God, is my source of hope.
There is some land coming up for auction here in DeKalb County TN at the end of the month. It is an old farm with a creek, a spring, a water table that is not real deep.
Hey Tom…we actually bought about 50 acres up in north western North Carolina but recognized we were at best 3 hours from one or more major urban areas and making a living up there was a bit on the limited side. We thought about retiring up there when the time comes but with our youngest still in school decided it might be best to afford her an area with more opportunity, especially in the long run.
After our trip out west a couple of years ago we still marvel at what we found and experienced. It reminded m of my early childhood back in the 1960s where crime was low, the population homogeneous, kids rode bikes downtown on Saturday, and politeness is simply a way of life.
So, depending on how the trip goes this summer I just may ask for a link if it goes badly.
I ran into the the work problem when looking at places in the Idaho/Montana/Wyoming area.
I was pondering some of these questions myself earlier today ……. think ill start tying its all I can do .
@Tom…
We are looking at opening a business in the Boise or Billings area. Please say a prayer for God’s guidance.
Prayer said.
Very much appreciated Tom.
It is our duty as brother and sisters in Christ to pray for each other when requested. I really feel that if you do not pray for another brother or sister when asked. I really wonder if you are a Christian.
Any prayers requests are welcome.
Amen Tom, amen.