Common Sense

Before I first met the Revolutionary War Veterans Association, I had been, like many other Americans today, going through my days shuffleing along under a cloud of anxiety. For quite a while I had known something was terribly wrong with this country, but what was it? Why was it happening? Why was I awakening each morning with a sick feeling in my stomach, as if I were filled with the rotten remnants of a bad dream I had eaten and could not remember? By what method could I determine the illness that had infected my country?

And most importantly, and even more unsettling was, if by chance I could uncover the source of this malady, what could I possibly do to save the nation from this crippling disease and from the horrible death that would soon follow were nothing to be done, nothing attempted, to save this country . I was one person, living out in the middle of nowhere. I had no close by neighbors and was not in a city where I could possibly even get a sandwich board and spray paint “America is Sinking!!” on it and stop passerbys and alert them to the situation.

I was alone in the middle of nowhere and hopelessly ignorant. I started reading everything I could about the events in our country, current and past, trying to determine what had happened and how, and the best way to place myself in a position to do something, to help my country. Where would I best fit into this complicated puzzle in order to be able to provide help to my nation? I came to the conclusion that I would have to go all the way back to the ideas and writings of the Founding Fathers to understand what I was needed to right the wrongs it seemed were fracturing my country.

One day not too very long after this revelation, I was in town, sitting in my truck at the feed store in Temple, waiting for a delivery of grain for my cattle.I could not get any talk radio on the AM band, and was looking for something to read while I waited and noticed the copy of “Shot Gun News” on my dashborad and started rereading it. I had read it from cover to cover many times already, except for one page entitled “Fred’s Column”. I had been reading SGN for several years and had always just skipped over this column because I had read a few sentences one time and the guy who wrote it, Fred, sounded like one of those fanatics who actually do wear the sandwich boards and clang a bell singing out “The world is coming to an end!”. The first few sentences were full of crazy words like “Patriots”, “Founding Fathers”, “liberty” and “The American Revolution”, and after that, I just always ignored the column. I can not tell you how shamefull this makes me feel now. Too busy and too ignorant and just not enough time in the day to be worried with figuring out how to become a “Patriot”.

I had served six long years under arms in various far away locations, placing myself voluntarily in danger over and over and I figured, like a lot of Americans, that my patriotic dept had been paid in full with this service. After my service I continued to stand and put my hand over my heart during the National Anthem (and I always felt emotion during the rendition of the anthem). I flew the flag on holidays, I voted, I had an American flag sticker on my truck, I always clapped when some politician said America was a great nation and shook my head in disgust when anyone questioned my country’s greatness. Surely this was fulfilling my duty to my country as a Patriot. I didn’t need to be reading a bunch of gibberish about a revolution hundreds of years ago and about ancient patriots too. Plus the print was so small.

Having nothing else to read at this time, I resigned myself to reading Fred’s article in the SGN paper. I was shocked at what I read, all these years I had been passing over the column and it was speaking about exactly the missing pieces I was looking for. Ideas I had been searching for, and about my unfulfilled duty to my country. Finally, a way to help, a way to get involved in helping our nation to survive the coming storm. A wake up call to Americans. In this particular article, Fred was asking for someone to volunteer to provide some land in Texas so that the Appleseed Program could hold an event there to teach Texans to shoot. I emailed the program later that night and had an instructor show up within 24 hours and checked out and approved the site immediately. That was a couple of years and many many events ago.

So how do I feel now that I know what is going on in our country? Better? Yes and no. I now have the truth about our country, just like the doctor walking out of the operating room and telling me that my Grandfather is dying, but he also told me that it was possible that with enough faith and by the most difficult of struggles, he might possibly be saved. But it was up to me. I had to do something to save him, or do nothing and let him die.

A nice clear cut decision. One each person can make for themselves.

I get a lot of emails from people who want to come to an Appleseed Event, but they say they are “not where they want to be yet” with their marksmanship. This is preventing them from coming to an event, until they are ready, in their minds, to ace the course.

Of all the reasons not to come to an event, this has to rank as the worst one, and epitomizes the current plight of the American People. The course is designed to take you from never having fired a rifle, to being able to fire at four minutes of angle, which is the Appleseed standard and is above what 99.99% of American firearms owners can acheive. How do I know? I have been teaching events now for several years and have seen many hundreds of shooters attempt to shoot to this standard and fail on their first attemps on day one, but acheive this standard by the end of day two.

But if this was all Appleseed did, teach you to shoot to a four minute of arc standard, I could see, maybe, why people do not wish to show up “unprepared”. Even though an Appleseed event is not a contest, it is a fundementals of rifle marksmanship course, no one wants to make a bad showing when they are meeting new people and trying something new, right?

Banish these thoughts, because Appleseed is much, much more than a rifle marksmanship program. Appleseed is a beginning. A place to start, a launch site.

Americans are adrift in a sea of uncertainty, floating nervously along in a nebula of media pablum without a compass and no real desire to find true north. Were they to find the source of their anxiety, they would then be faced with doing something about it. Much like the sick and dying Grandfather or Mother that is ignored until the funeral makes things right . Faced with the mess of a dying relative better to ignore it and try to make the best of your day rather than having it make a mess of your life right? Soon enough they will die and all will be well again, right?

Wrong. When America dies, we all die. Like all the fruit on a vine, when the vine is cut or the roots pulled from the ground, the fruit of the vine does not survive. We have a direct and unbroken link to our past in all the men and women who have embodied all that being an American is.

In Naomi Wolf’s latest book “Give Me Liberty, A Handbook for American Reviolutionaries”, she talks about what being an American really means. About who Americans are. By what right they deserve the title “American”. This is what we do at Appleseed. We help people to understand what it is that defines them as Americans.

That is what Appleseed is. It is a starting place, it is a way to reconnect with the Founding Fathers. We teach people who attend that they did not just today, pop into existence with no history and no direct line to the Founding Fathers. We tell them that they owe all that they have to men and women who came before them and sacrificed all in some cases so that they would have the freedom and liberty that they now enjoy. And that without remembering and honoring, and continuing to safeguard those very same principles and ideas, they will lose them. With only two days we can not give them everything they need to know to do all that is needed to save our country, but we can start them on the path, and we do.

We try to teach people that being an “American” is not granted to you by virtue of being born on a certain piece of ground, but earned by you every day you live. The path to becoming a Rifleman in the RWVA Appleseed Program is not an easy one. It is not a program where you learn to shoot at a target and hit it and then go home and put your rifle away in the closet with your training and get back on the couch and become one with the remote again.

A chimp could be taught to hit a target with a rifle. We teach you that once you have been to an Appleseed and we tell you what is occuring in our country and how you have a blood debt to honor the Founding Fathers and do your part to protect and defend our liberty and freedom, that you are a changed person and you can never go back to who you were. Not with a clear conscience. You now have a duty, a place to start.

So when I get that email saying “I am not where I want to be yet”. I have a ready answer. As a Rifleman with the Appleseed Program, get used to saying that. That should be the phrase that follows you into the grave. If you ever think you have learned all there is or that you have nothing left to learn or teach, think about how sad that would be?

A Rifleman never stops learning, a Rifleman never stops teaching. A Rifleman continues to seek ways to to protect the freedom the Founding Fathers left us, to improve himself, his home and family, his community, his state and his country, everyday of his life. A Rifleman adapts, a Rifleman overcomes and a Rifleman persists.

This is not just some fancy gilded rhetoric we throw around like popcorn and pennies. This is the code we live by here. There is nothing wrong, no matter how often the mass of talking heads tells you it is wrong, or outdated, or corny, stupid and cavemanish, with having a code to live by in your life. Modern Americans have forgotten their code. They have forgotten how to be Americans. We are here to help them remember.

Yes, you could, I think, honestly answer that question about the American Revolution as being dead.

If you want to argue, I can answer you easily enough with a series of questions:

How many of your neighbors know - or care - anything about the American Revolution? [Understand, I am not asking about the Revolutionary War, but the American Revolution itself. Like the founders, I believe and agree that they were two separate and distinct entities.]

How many family members?

How many of your friends?

I’m willing to bet that if you can answer any of the above questions with a number even as high as “One” you are an unusual American.

But there’s one last question:

If the Revolution is not dead, what are you doing to keep it alive?

Because if it is not dead, it is nearly so, and in another generation will be.

Dead, and gone.

I think it’s pretty much dead now, but it’s not quite gone, yet.

Thanks to Appleseed, with every year of the rapidly-growing Appleseed program, it gets a little stronger.

We’re still early in the program yet, only starting Year 4 this year, so not really making a splash yet - even tho even now we are reaching thousands each year - but if you will help us continue to double this program each and every year, in 3 more years we’ll greet Appleseeder #100,000 - and in 7 years - if you help us double each year - Appleseeder #1,000,000.

Now, if we get that far, should we stop? Should we fold up our tent and go home?

Or shall we continue?

While you’re thinking about that, I’d like to suggest you rent the film “Idiocracy” with Luke Wilson in the lead role, a chilling (even if it’s supposed to be a comedy) tale about a future America that’s coming quicker than we think - if we don’t do something about it.

The beginning is lovely: “It was the Great Garbage Avalanche in the year Twenty-five-Oh-Five that started things…”

[from a future column in Shotgun News, currently in preparation]

You can argue that with the election, “the draft is back.”

Or should be back, at least.

Understand, the fault of this last presidential election was not who won and who lost. In so many substantive ways, it made no difference who won or lost.

The problem with this last election was The Choice. A choice between two peas in a pod, if you will.

Two candidates, neither of whom has the slightest inkling of the American Revolution.

Both of them think it’s ancient, dead history, of little relevance to us in the present.

They confuse, like most ill-informed Americans, the Rev War with the American Revolution.

The Founders never made that mistake. And would never make it.

The Rev War IS dead history - facts, names, dates - a history of actions and consequences - brilliant tho they are, tragic tho the price paid.

The American Revolution? Now, that was a “hearts and minds” thing, something that was supposed to live on in the hearts and souls of Americans, until the end of time - freedom, liberty, sovereignty of the individual over government [gee, hasn't that become a ridiculous notion?], limited government, etc, etc.

The fact that the American Revolution has been dead, at least since 1932, is what is driving us in the Appleseed program, to revive it.

The fact is, voters, with the possible exception of Ronald Reagan, have not had a real choice, a real chance, to vote for the Revolution for generations. And it shows. We’ve had more impeachments in the last 30+ years than in the first 150+ years of the republic.

And, the forecast is for more, so get ready.

So, is the draft coming back?

Americans in the last years and generations have seen a spirit go out of them, a deflating of the balloon.

We don’t volunteer as much as we used to.

Back in the Rev War, they got by, for the most part, without a draft.

Clear-headed, clear-thinking Americans were willing to step forward (even understanding Congress authorized financial inducement, honored more in the breach).

And the soldiers served under conditions we’d find intolerable - no pay, worn out clothes, hungry, cold, etc.

WW1 was our first big draft experience, I bet.

WW2 was our second.

It’s noteworthy to Fred that even after Pearl Harbor, the draft remained in effect, apparently needed even tho the danger was so clear.

Now the danger is clear again.

The future of this country is bleak. If you like lousy leaders, you must be smiling and happy. Between election fraud, ignorant Americans, and worthless candidates totally ignorant of American history and heritage, we’re in for a string of bad leadership.

Yes, once in a while we’ll get lucky, and there’ll prob be a good man among them - but is that what you want the protection and survival of freedom and liberty to come down to - luck?

Is that what the great American experience will come down to? Is that what survival of that Great Experiment will come down to?

Which is why the draft is back.

We need good men, and if you’re not willing to step forward to save your nation, then you’ll have to be drafted. Not forever, mind you. In fact, not one day longer than necessary. Simply, “for the duration”.

Don’t fight this draft.

You don’t want to fight it.

For one reason, you want to be able to say, to your grandkids, “I was there, and I did my part - I helped save my nation.”

For another, you don’t want to allow the future of this nation to go to H in a handbasket.

And a third reason is, it’s not manly to stand idly by, while your nation sinks around you. What kind of man would you be, to allow it to happen, on your watch?

To see the future for your kids and grandkids to be that of living in a country that’s not a free country?

So herewith, let’s make it official.

You, my friend, are hereby drafted, for the duration, into service to your country.

There. Now you can never claim you “didn’t know”, that “the word never reached me”, that “I never heard about it”.

Now you know. You are drafted.

Drafted because your country is in great peril, and the future is doubtful - and growing more doubtful every day.

Like any draftee, the ultimate freedom to refuse to serve is still yours.

But when the veterans march by in the parade, instead of letting your chest swell, instead of saluting the flag when it passes, have the guts to face up to the fact you were not, yourself, willing to serve.

And just like draftees could and did face jail, you can ignore the draft, and refuse to serve - only this time “jail” will be in the context of living in a future America without freedom.

Men died for that freedom. Many of them were draftees. They still served honorably.

Will you?

Yes, if you will not volunteer, then the draft must come back, as it does whenever our country is in grave danger. All must turn to, and man the barricades - or the pumps - to save a great ship of state.

Can it be done without you? If so, we wouldn’t need the draft - would we?

So, looks like to me, my friend, that you are important to the Cause.

Now that you have your draft notice, when you report for duty, try to bring some others with you.

We’ll need everyone we can, if Project Appleseed is to be successful in saving a nation.

“Elections are about weather; Appleseed is about climate”

You’ve read that, right here, on this blog, before.

Yet read the following, written and published (in Shotgun News), before the elections.

HOW CAN YOU NOT BE?

There’s no question the founding generation of this country was into the American Revolution both heart and mind - or as they said back then, “heart and soul”…

Now, the important question to the future of this country is, can you get into the American Revolution, heart and mind and soul.

Before you cry “nay”, understand I’m not talking about the Revolutionary War. I’m talking about the American Revolution, what’s called the Dec of Independence…

Because if there’s no hope you can sign on to your heritage, there’s not much hope for your country’s future…

Or the future for your kids, and their kids.

I hate to go all gooey on you, but the issue is important. Way more important than you think. If I can get you to sign on to the American Revolution, to notions of liberty, sovereignty of the individual, limited gov, etc, I can do anything (and will, in terms of persuading others that danger is lurking, and we need to act, and act now).

If you like this recent election, it’s easy. Simply do nothing. More of them will be coming: unqualified candidates without a notion of what this country is about. Corrupt, eager to further ‘feather their nests’, uncaring about the future, except as it applies to them. [And, I can and should add, promising more bread and circuses to the masses.]

Once in a while, we’ll get lucky with a good President.

Is that what you think American liberty should hinge on - luck? If so, you’re not the person you should be…and are a prime Appleseed candidate, ‘cause you can be redeemed.

Don’t miss the chance to get in touch with your American roots. Heck, simple curiosity should get you and your family to an Appleseed - for the rest of 2008, women shoot FREE; kids under age 21 are always free, only Dad has to pay his way - and he’s prob happy about it…

It’s a message about the need to get yourself and your friends, neighbors, relatives, family, and co-workers to an Appleseed, and become part of something most people, to the grave detriment of our country and our country’s future, have forgot: “It’s about the Revolution, stupid!”

And if you needed any proof that “Appleseed is about climate; elections are simply weather”, it’s in the fact that not a single word needs to changed as a result of the outcome of this year’s presidential race.

Not a single one.

I won’t argue any more that this country is all about you. You believe it, and that’s all that counts.

Which means that YOUR future is what is important to you.

Not even the future of your kids, or your grandkids, but YOUR future.

Can I suggest that the principles enunciated in the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble to the Constitution - “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” - will rest on far firmer ground if YOU believed in the American Revolution, and acted like it?

And the best place to get dipped into that belief is at an Appleseed. It’s about bailing out the sinking ship.

And we need every pair of hands we can get to do it, because it’s a big ship, and it’s been sinking a long time.

What about it? You say you’re an American. You prob stand and put your hand on your heart as the flag comes by in the parade.

Are you willing to put your hands on a bucket, and help save your country, and your future?

People in this program say it’s fun. Don’t let that discourage you.

It’s deadly-serious business, with a deadly-serious Mission.

Together, we can do it.

If there’s any more proof needed that what this country desperately needs is a program like Appleseed it’s the current election.

Both the Democrat and Republican parties reflect all that is wrong with modern America. They haven’t a clue as to what this country needs, or what this country is about, having, like all the rest of their countrymen, consigned the American Revolution to a distant past which has little to say to us, today.

It’s a major mistake, even if an as yet undiscovered one.

There’s little difference between the parties - except that the Dems are more corrupt (how could they not be, with their power centered in the corrupt political machines of the big cities) and the Repubs are just a touch less “bread and circuses” - but only a touch - than the Dems.

You can’t expect any change, because the “checks and balances” are out of whack. The “fourth estate” - the media - will overlook any Dem corruption, and trumpet any Repub corruption, so don’t expect them to fulfill their traditional role, or expect any change in the way things are any time soon. (The jury is still out on the surging role of the internet-based media.)

Which is why we face the choices we face in this election.

And why we will face the same choices, in the next presidential race.

And the one after that…

Unless a clear, strong American steps forward, by some chance - and even he will prob not understand the importance of the American Revolution to current America.

Now, is that where we are? The future of the country rests on “chance”? Luck? The roll of the dice?

You’d like to hope not.

But it’s what you get, so long as people confuse the Revolutionary War - dates, battles, places, a land of dead historical fact - and the American Revolution - a change in hearts and minds - and souls - that is the core of America, and never intended to die, but to live in the hearts and minds of Americans.

What a joke that notion is.

The doctrine of limited government. The doctrine of the sovereignty of the citizen (bet you haven’t heard that one in a long time - yet, it was core to the American Revolution, a revolution not about clearing the way for the Big Government, but clearing the way for the sovereign Citizen - it was about “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, remember? You can’t be free unless you are also in control of your life - sovereign!)

Oh, yes, we’ve all forgot.

So we have Obama and McCain. (Who have not forgot, because, in common with the Americans in their respective generations, they never knew in the first place.)

If you like that choice, do nothing.

It’s prob what you do best, anyway - other than complain (you’re prob pretty good at that, too).

But in the unlikely event you don’t like that choice, and in the unlikely event you are a throwback to the days Americans weren’t glued to the couch, in front of the TV, then maybe the thought of “dark times ahead” will be enough to get you alarmed, at least a little, for the future, and get off the couch, and look for some way to make you, one of 300 million Americans (well, prob 270 million Americans and 30 million illegals), worth something in affecting your future, and your country’s future.

Look no further.

The answer is here, before you. It’s called Appleseed.

Bringing the American Revolution back to life, via the traditional American skill of marksmanship and putting Americans back in touch with their Revolutionary War roots.

If it sounds silly to you, as silly as William Shatner’s foundation to bring peace to the Middle East via encouraging horse-back riding amongst local kids, then I suggest you come to an Appleseed, see for yourself, and make up your own mind.

Unless you like the choice between Obama and McCain.

Not only this election, but the same choice between such miserably-misinformed candidates in all future elections.

Yes, hold your nose and vote this time. It’s important.

But the future is as important, and maybe more so.

So, after the election, let’s start working on the next one, by educating Americans in their history and heritage. One day, if we persist in this rapidly-growing program, there will be an Appleseeder elected as president.

Would you like to vote for a candidate who’s in touch with the American Revolution - unique in history, unique in the world - who understands the price paid for Liberty, and the need to protect it - and the need to promote it?

I think you would.

And, before we elect the first Appleseed president, let’s elect a bunch of Appleseeders to that other miserable place, Congress.

We’ve already had the first congressional candidates show up for an Appleseed in New Mexico. As the program continues to explode across the nation, we’ll find that will become “the norm” for serious candidates for office - state, national, and local. And the candidates who refuse to come? Thank ‘em for making your choice much simpler.