The other day I witnessed a conversation I could never have imagined. Picture two successful professionals, thoroughly decent people, respected (perhaps even revered) in their fields. Intelligent, moderate individuals, but outside what was once the political mainstream. They relax over glasses of wine, discussing a certain prominent “public health expert.”
They discuss whether prison is too good for said expert, or whether dragging him behind a mule cart, drawing, castrating, quartering, and placing his head on a pike in a public square is more appropriate.
And no, they hadn’t had that much wine.
Both were embarrassed by their own words. Horrified, even. Both rushed to say they’d never condone such, let alone participate. But then they added: if their worst views of said expert are true, if their most dire predictions about his deeds prove accurate, then he’s more villainous than Dr. Mengele. Far more deadly, far more callous toward his fellow human beings.
And what kind of justice can you mete out to a person so vile? What kind of justice can exist in a society fallen so far as to nod placidly and follow men like that? How do you ensure not only his fall from power, but metaphorically “salt the earth” from which such power sprang to ensure such creatures never rise again? You have no personal power. You can’t reach into the high, dark reaches of the Deep State and claw out the evil. But someone, somewhere must. And no one, anywhere, is.
Those were the thoughts these fully functional people were driven to. In a world where the powerful never face any consequences for their actions, and instead grow wealthy and fat and more honored and more arrogant and cruel every day, the fantasies of the powerless grow … desperate.
I hate this. Absolutely hate that we have come to this.
In the past, when others have advocated violence, I’ve taken the position that although mass defensive violence may be necessary, its results would be hellish. I’ve pointed to the gloriously non-violent teardown of the Berlin Wall, to the magical Singing Revolution in Estonia, to the entire non-violent collapse of the Soviet superpower.
I still hope in that direction. My hopes just get thinner every day.
In this climate of unhinged hatred — hatred from ordinary people to ordinary people — can we ever go sane and tolerate each other again? And where to we go from right here?
Somewhat irritating article. She wants things to change (see her words below -- peacefully as we all do) but is on the fence as far as combative responses. What does she expect to happen to people that are “just doing their jobs” and inject children without parental consent, closing business that don’t “follow the science” or police enforcing unconstitutional orders? Local communists in schools that push CRT? After the smoke clears we are just going to say “oh well, that was before the conflict so we are all good now”? If hell breaks out, there will be a lot of revenge actions taken unfortunately.
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The calls are for specific retaliation against specific acts. I’m hearing — are you also hearing? — things like this:
A school injects children with mRNA without their parents’ consent? Shoot everyone involved.
Thugs arrive to take you to a camp for the unvaxxed? Shoot to preserve liberty against totalitarianism.
Adults conspire to give your pre-pubescent daughter life-altering hormone blockers without your knowledge? If they can’t be caught, stopped, and fired before they do harm, then stop them by any means necessary.
The local D.A. repeatedly releases violent criminals who terrorize your city? Well, you have a right to defend yourself against those responsible — and that’s not just the newly empowered crooks, but those who empower them.
Your business or your entire local economy is destroyed by “smash & grabs” and you know that every one of the street-level crooks will be protected by the office-level crooks? Well … you have to take things into your own hands.
Local “leaders” restrict your freedoms of speech, religion, movement, and ability to provide for your family while they themselves party like it’s 2019? Don’t just try to throw them out of office; they’ll simply be replaced with more of their ilk and your sufferings will continue. Thoughts and talk of guillotines fill the air. Ça Ira, aristos.
Anyhow, I’m hearing a lot like that. Yes, at this point these are still almost entirely the desperate fantasies of desperately powerless people. People who thought they were citizens but now belatedly understand they’re mere serfs. People who are not and do not wish to be terrorists (i.e. villains who kill the helpless to send messages to the powerful). They — we — are only people who’ve lost a lot already and stare into futures in which everything that matters has been ripped away.
But when you’re talking about taking revenge — or acting in self-defense — against a bureaucrat who lives just up the hill from you or even your child’s school nurse, you’re talking a whole new level of seriousness.
The people grumbling that such actions are needed are in a different league than the Keyboard Kommandos who call for some vague war they’re not willing to plan, lead, or perhaps even participate in. However, the people very personally hating very personal people who harm them or their children are still not — yet — acting forcefully on their words.
And darned few of them want to act forcefully on those words.
They’re still hoping, just as I hope, that the worst can be averted by some sort of return to common sense. Or respect for rights. Or functional electoral processes. Or functional legal, medical, and educational systems. If only, if only …
I try not to think of the revenge violence to much, after my dad died my mother was left to raise four children. She did a hell of a job, but left us to our own devices and kids will be kids, starting at junior high we lived in a pretty rough neighborhood the first six months I was in a fight everyday after school. So I went up to the whittier youth center and learned how to box, pretty soon they left me alone. In the early 80s got into the martial arts have been at it ever since. I can only imagine the person they are talking about, but let me assure you I would love to spend 4or 5 hours using him as my punching and kicking bag just saying.
The point I was trying to convey in my earlier post was, this is not school yard fighting, our enemy has brass knuckles and very hard pointy boots on. At some point we have to start fighting back or they will beat us to death, we will get no mercy from our enemy.
If only I had taken that special lead projectile delivery class in kindergarten…and some martial arts, too, later on…say, maybe 2nd grade, with maybe a seal-level course in high school…or some such thing. I’d deliver him to you, Tom. Tired of being bullied.
I cannot abide bullies and that is what we are dealing with on a grand scale, I have found I am not to old as yet to take things beyond words I try and not take it beyond what is necessary.
I echo Claire’s sentiments. Anyone who chomps at the bit of midnight assassinations and gangs (of any stripe) roving the streets is a fool. I PRAY this land doesn’t see it, feel it.
But it will eventually I am certain.
Wes, when I whipped up that meme I thought at the time we were weeks from something like Bosnia. We have continued to lurch forward like a zombie however.
So I run drills and put things away and sit on my mountain ridge watching it all. Waiting is the hardest part as that song goes.
Once it starts, it will be the worst thing here since the 1860s.
Years ago, a columnist for the Orlando Sentinel by the name of Charley Reese wrote a very thought-provoking editorial. The title, I believe, was: WELL, KHADHAFFI WON AND REAGAN LOST. It referenced the dust-up in the Gulf of Sidra.
I won’t bore you with the details, but if you can find the article, read what Mr. Reese describes as the: “…truly dangerous man.” It is good food for thought. I would add one needs to concentrate on what it takes to get ready for Bosnia X Rwanda (H/T to Matt Bracken). No one is coming to save us. We are on our own. The biggest threats to you and yours are within five miles of your home. Some of these threats even wear badges. Plan accordingly. Bleib ubrig.
Claire sums it up very well. Thanks for posting.
Ask any POW if you will sign on the dotted line like a good majority of our fellow citizens have the torture will stop. You may not like your new reality but time heals all. Platforms are a form of pressure relief as to the boiling pot. We will never reach our true destiny whining and crying about our situation, I prefer peace and being able to live my life as I see fit.