Comment

Comment by Norman Olson on April 29, 2012 at 2:17pm

As seen in the movie "Patriot Games" the IRA had a public face (Richard Harris) who FRONTED for the organization. Behind the public Front were soldiers who kept the pressure on so that the British would be inclined to negotiate.
The same is true for the militia. Now, this will work as long as the Front is communicating with the clandestine militant wing. If however, the front opposes or is in disagreement with the militiant faction, internal struggles will take place and the advantage of unity will be lost. The last thing the militia needs is division within its ranks.
We in the overall militia must find a way of working together with the militant faction without forcing them to soften their tone. We must never alienate the militant wing or make the public think that the Front condemns them. The militant faction must also realize that the Front is keeping the pressure on the Central Government and buying time. The Front needs the militant wing as much as the militant wing needs the Front.
When a group such as the Hutaree or the Peacekeepers (Schaeffer Cox's group) find themselves in hot water with the feds, the rest of us need to keep our mouths shut and NOT condemn them. We need instead to support them (while not necessarily agreeing with their actions, recognizing they they may have acted without measuring the effect on the militia movement overall) They are, in fact and in deed, our fellow patriots.
Striving for unity is difficult when working with so many patriot groups. The best we can hope for is a unity of purpose to protect and support and re-instate the Constitution by resisting its enemies. But we cannot expect total conformance on HOW TO DO THAT.
As explained, the "Patriot" subgroup of Constitutionalists are involved in keeping up the political pressure. The Minuteman subgroup looks at the whole political system as a fixed game run by corrupted, ambitious, and power hungry people. The Minutemen need to focus on their combat skills and readiness SO THAT IF the Patriot group fails to bring about change, they will be at least backed by a highly trained and battle ready force. One should also bear in mind that total victory will not be attainable. At best, the Washington regime can be contained and its power diminished by opposing it with equal force. It's the foreign policy America had in the 50s: Peace through Power...that is, PARITY. Simply stated, we need to keep the central government frightened by the citizen soldier.
This also provides a tremendous amount of "bargaining power" for the Front. I have often used the illustration of a man holding back a snarling doberman on a chain. The man is the Patriot Subgroup and the dog is the Minutemen. The caption below the picture reads, "Talk to me or to my dog. . .your choice."
The Front needs to portray itself as keeping the pressure on the enemies of the Constitution or else the Dogs of War will be unleashed.
I say this to emphasize the fact that there IS a vital and important place for the militant faction of the militia. We must not restrain them from being that visual reminder that there are patriots willing to fight for liberty. The Front would benefit by recognizing their existence and importance.

Comment by Firehawk on April 29, 2012 at 6:25am

I, too, think the discussion re: image is important. I believe your take on this is quite correct, Norm. I think the best example of an eventually successful resistance/revolutionary efffort was the Irish fight to be free from British control. The IRA had their "political arm" Sinn Fein. It took decades for the "troubles" to end, or at least reach a stable compriomise, but the point is that with a non-militant buffer that handled the political and PR aspects of their struggle, the freedom fighters of the IRA were able to help force the British to retreat from their military control. (Also understand that the IRA committed horrendous acts of terrorism that killed many innocents;something we cannot tolerate...ever!) It is important to understand that one of the "publics" we must win over are the millions of Americans that agree with what must be done, but for one reason or another simply cannot engage in the aggressive nature of reestablishing our Republic. Make no mistake, we must have ALL THREE of the types or groups Norm mentions.I think, too, it's critical to remember that only about twenty percent of the citizens in colonial America initially wanted a military solution or revolution; and that only about three percent actually "took up arms" to resist or fight. My guess is the percentages will remain about the same today, should it come to that.

Comment by Norman Olson on April 28, 2012 at 10:21pm

Early on, I came to realize that the large body of people calling themselves Constitutionalists was made up of three groups. There was the Religious Right with their Christian approach to "obey God rather than man." They may or may not engage in any offensive action, but they generally supported the other two groups. The second group was the generic "patriot community" which approached the effort to restore liberty through public speaking, book sales, websites, political action, informed juries, overhead presentations etc. These were also rear echelon support people who once again, may or may not physically show up when the time came. Finally there were the minutemen, that battle ready, disciplined, and determined group of fighters who had resigned themselves to either winning victory over tyranny or die trying.
People moved between the groups motivated by conscience. Some of our best soldiers have moved into a less threatening posture as they grow families, have bills to pay, etc. To them, the fear of loss is greater than the hope of gain. Some of the folks in the Religious Right have used their faith to become some of our best fighters. They have found peace in recognizing their brief time here on earth and want to do all they can to stop the evil.
There should NEVER be a negative stigma associated on any group. We do what we do for conscience sake and only history will reveal whether we were best suited to one group over another.
The choices we make ARE a matter of conscience and we should never make a person feel guilty by the measure of what they are willing to contribute to the cause. I have often told the rear echelon people, "If you can't join the minute men, please leave food on the porch."

The discussion over whether to change the image of the militia should continue. I speak from the position of a minuteman commander. I want nothing to do with partisan politics...I don't support candidates...I don't go to rallies or mass demonstrations.. I will not hold a sign on a stick or chant in the streets. I know only one way to survive and that is prepare for war.

Norm

Comment by Firehawk on April 28, 2012 at 9:50pm

Well said NOrm Olson. I would add this.... I, too, was involved in a militia gormation in 1993. We faced the same dicision we are being asked to consider now...how do we present our organization? We took the approach that assumed we were infiltrated, meaning we were very careful not to go planning anything of an offensive natukre but, rather, that all actions would be fefensive, as in "resistance" to stop or disrupt specific illegal actions. As organizers we also found out that a significant majority of our members favored the hard line standards rather than more friendly ones. We felt this was not a popoularity contest, but potentially a blood and guts, life-changing fight if need be. I don't care what the window dressing looks like; we just need to make damn sure there is a hard core is ready to do what is necessary without hesitation or reservation.
I've put off writing guidance in this matter for too long. No more; the time is now. Within the next few days I will post on this blog, and in other venues, my Proposed Rules of Engagement for Patriots and Militias. Time is getting short and we all had better know what we need to do, and when. If the citizens of this country don't do the necessary thing at the right time, we may well lose this country for ourselves and our children. Forces are gathering to and preparing to take it from us. They're closer than yoiu think, we must be ready.

Firehawk

Comment by Walter on April 28, 2012 at 8:16pm

Fantastic post. The government that will not change no longer has to change. The rule of law is dead and there is nothing in place to restrain the beast. Attempts by any groups to add new members are being met with visits from the FBI involving threats, intimidation, harassment, and various other gestapo tactics to prevent the militia from attaining critical mass. Then they came for the militia, and I did not speak up!