Craig Metzer

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The threats to our nation come from both within our borders and from lands outside of our home soil which would not be able to exist or act without our funding and support. Our political leadership is either in support of the mass assault of our society or at least are unwilling to act in direct opposition of it.

I'm frustrated and angry also, brother.  I've been pondering the state of the union for years as our liberties have been eroding and socialism has gained popularity.  This past year has been eye opening.  Many of our elected officials are willing to burn the country to the ground to keep or acquire power.  The deception is like we saw in communist states during the Cold War.  Politicians are naturally liars, but I never thought it would get like this.  I never thought government officials would try to remove an elected president or crash the economy to win an election, but, here we are ... and they NEED to win this election to ensure their crimes aren't investigated.

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Our enemy is a conglomeration of ideas, beliefs, cults and violent mobs spanning the spectrum from useful yet ignorant masses fueled by unipolarized news, to semi-organized violent crowd based cult ideologies, to organized and hostile terror based militant groups such as John Brown Gun clubs, Marxist militias, redneck revolt, and militias that turned their backs on the American people and assist in training the aforementioned groups. This also encompasses politicians working in lock-step with these organizations whether out of fear, Pandering, or financial support. Even with the wide array of goals and ideologies these groups can rapidly and statically organize in the hundreds. They are well funded and supplied.

I believe there is a literal enemy, but they're directing and funding all the activities you mention.  I've always thought it was one of the communist super-powers, but the events recently have revealed there are people within our own government working against the people to achieve their political goals.  Maybe there are several players with different objectives creating the perfect storm.  Maybe the politicians involved are being played for their ambition.  Maybe they've been blackmailed.  I don't think this is of organic or grass-roots origin though.  All the redactions in the FOIA docs indicate the Intelligence Community is involved.

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When politics and diplomacy prove impossible in coming to resolution, then and only then should we raise the black flag and let loose the dogs of war...

Agree.  Can we even clearly define the enemy?  Antifa and BLM aren't the enemy - they're just a bunch of "useful idiots" as Lenin would say.  Most of the power hungry politicians are probably just pawns.  It isn't D's vs. R's -  both parties want the same thing: power.  We have a moral crisis.  People in power or with influence are willing to cross moral boundaries to achieve their goals.  Everyone is a liar.  Our society can't function unless we agree to be honest and respect our neighbor whom we differ with.  What we see happening now is by design.  War is exactly what the Left needs to form a new government and rid themselves of that outdated Constitution we hold so dear.  They don't have the votes to amend it.  If patriots start bloodshed the Left will portray us as the enemy.  They control the media and have been very effective at persuading the masses. 

I've been asking myself where the IC is in this mess.  They can't be blind to it.  The Patriot Act gave them the power to read everyone's mail.  So, what are they doing?  Trump declaring Antifa a domestic terrorist organization opened the door for the IC to access any suspected Antifa comms. They may be pawns, but are they following this to the leadership?  If senior leadership are involved, they'll have to make a very solid case against them.  I don't think all the cards have been played.  I know there are many patriots in the IC - even if some of the leadership is compromised.  There are some patriots in congress.  I just hope they realize our enemy is getting ready to make a stand and will hold nothing back.  The good guys in congress have been playing by gentleman's rules.  Trump knows the gloves need to come off.  The rest are starting to see that.

On 7/5/2020 at 3:37 PM, ROFCB Commander said:

Does that make us a "joke", or a group of people not working hard enough, not angry enough, not filled with enough fighting spirit?

 

And is this the time to be that way?

 

The recruits are out there. The anger is out there. The FEAR is out there. We simply have to uncover it, tap into it, and then offer something more than a chance to dress up in too much tacticool gear for an opportunity to get shot at.

 

Failing that, it isn't the militias that are a joke--it's the people leading them. Not unlike the country, really.

 

If we want better, we have to BE better. So let's start now! What do you suggest we do to stop being a punchline?

I hear you, sir and agree for the most part.  I recently joined a newly formed group and can attest to my struggles in this regard.  When I was in the military it was my job.  I didn't have to work elsewhere to make a living.  I had off-duty time to spend with my family.  Then, duty was my first priority.  I now have my business, a larger family, and many more personal responsibilities.  I'm having trouble making it to a weekly militia event just due to work and family obligations.  I see this with all sorts of volunteer organizations.  It's difficult to commit the time necessary to contribute to a volunteer organization.  We shouldn't assume people's motives. 

The leadership in my group are young people with work and family obligations who have managed to commit the time to recruit and train.  I have great respect for them.  They're doing an outstanding job. 

I see this as more of a time management problem.  We're all volunteers.  Time management boils down to priorities.  If conflict was at our doorstep all priorities would change, but it would be too late at that point.  Prepare begins with "pre"

Recruitment, positive image in the community, training, are good strategies and that's what I see in our group and this forum.  Keep up the good work.

BTW - I loved the Leadership 101 series.