Aliquis Esse Stultus, and Modern Minutemen. Comments Welcome.

[twyacht]

After this was sent to me, I thought I would share it here, amongst my beloved fellow "idiots".



"Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man gainst his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American.... [T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people."
(Tench Coxe, The Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb. 20, 1788.)

I'll take the modern upgrade, with the fundamental message.



I'll be more than happy to be part of true American Idiots.

[fightingquaker13]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head TW. You win wars when a critical mass of the people are convinced that they are willing to pay their money and take the ride, and accept that there is no guarantee they are getting the round trip ticket. That is the very definition of patriotism. If not me who? If not now when? Lets roll the dice and see how it all plays out, but I'm moving forward. That's the difference between a hero, a draft dodger and a suicide bomber.
FQ13

[Pathfinder]

I prefer the term "3%-er" to being referred to as an idiot, but that's just me. To some, tho, I understand, being a 3%er is being an idiot, but they think that way about anyone who has an emergency fund, doesn't drive a Cadillac Escalade, isn't leveraged on credit card debt, or who has more than 5 days food in the house too. I'm OK with that.

[fightingquaker13]

I prefer the term "3%-er" to being referred to as an idiot, but that's just me. To some, tho, I understand, being a 3%er is being an idiot, but they think that way about anyone who has an emergency fund, doesn't drive a Cadillac Escalade, isn't leveraged on credit card debt, or who has more than 5 days food in the house too. I'm OK with that.

I actually like the term idiot. It means you are willing to step up to the plate while others won't. "Yeah, I'm an idiot, but you are a coward". It seems to be a fitting rejoinder. Those of us who signed on the dotted line understand that there is a bit of a gulp factor, as in "gulp, this is serious", that others don't get. (Let me hasten to add I got an opt out for my ROTC contract, and don't speak as a veteran, but I didn't know that when I signed the thing. I thought I was in for 8 years). Point being you have to make the call, are you wiling to take the oath and enlist as a soldier or sailor or marine or not?Sad thing is, the folks who have gotten the most from this country are the least likely to enlist. If we were to take the Ethos of Greece or Rome, Harvard and Yale would have the busiest recruiting offices in the country. As it is? Tumbleweeds.....
FQ13
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head TW. You win wars when a critical mass of the people are convinced that they are willing to pay their money and take the ride, and accept that there is no guarantee they are getting the round trip ticket. That is the very definition of patriotism. If not me who? If not now when? Lets roll the dice and see how it all plays out, but I'm moving forward. That's the difference between a hero, a draft dodger and a suicide bomber.
FQ13

Bullshit.
You win wars when you destroy your opponents will to resist. Revolutions are seldom made by the majority, and violent ones never are, other wise there would be no need for the violence. In our own case support for the Revolution never exceeded 33%, if it got that high, and as Path points out, it was only 3% of the population that was  willing to take up arms. In several areas, NJ, the so called "middle ground" and the Carolina's Patriots were vastly out numbered by loyalists. Why do you think Cornwallis was willing to march from the Carolina's to NY ? He knew he would be in Loyalist territory all the way, and local loyalists would be able to handle anything the Patriots attempted in the south. The only Colonies that were overwhelming  solidly for the rebellion were the 4 New England States and Virginia.
Another thing, don't be bad mouthing the suicide bomber. Just because you don't approve of his cause, and you don't like his targeting strategy has nothing to do with his effectiveness or the sheer balls that it takes to actually say "F*ck it, I'm not even going to try to survive, I'm just going to take as many as I can."  It may not have worked for Hamas but one incident took Spain out of the war on terror. That is exactly the type of strategy needed by small poor groups who wish to fight world powers.

[Sponsor]

[twyacht]

The term is complimentary, and is in line with the 3%-ers.

If you haven't caught it all ready:

The Doctrine of the Three Percent.

The Three Percent are the folks the Founders counted on to save the Republic when everyone else abandoned it.
And we will.

There will be no more free Wacos and no more free Katrinas.

For we are the Three Percent.
We will not disarm.
You cannot convince us.
You cannot intimidate us.
You can try to kill us, if you think you can.
But remember, we’ll shoot back .
We are not going away.
We are not backing up another inch.
And there are THREE MILLION OF US.
Your move, Mr. Wannabe Tyrant.
Your move.
And, as things begin to spin out of control, remember this:
"All politics in this country now is just dress rehearsal for civil war." -- Billy Beck, August 2009.

David Codrea and Mike Vanderboegh broke the Operation Fast and Furious story originally. This is also their blog.

http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/

We are the people that the collectivists who now control the government should leave alone if they wish to continue unfettered oxygen consumption. We are the Three Percent. Attempt to further oppress us at your peril. To put it bluntly, leave us the hell alone. Or, if you feel froggy, go ahead AND WATCH WHAT HAPPENS.

What is a "Three Percenter"?
During the American Revolution, the active forces in the field against the King's tyranny never amounted to more than 3% of the colonists. They were in turn actively supported by perhaps 10% of the population. In addition to these revolutionaries were perhaps another 20% who favored their cause but did little or nothing to support it. Another one-third of the population sided with the King (by the end of the war there were actually more Americans fighting FOR the King than there were in the field against him) and the final third took no side, blew with the wind and took what came.

[fightingquaker13]

Bullshit.
You win wars when you destroy your opponents will to resist. Revolutions are seldom made by the majority, and violent ones never are, other wise there would be no need for the violence. In our own case support for the Revolution never exceeded 33%, if it got that high, and as Path points out, it was only 3% of the population that was  willing to take up arms. In several areas, NJ, the so called "middle ground" and the Carolina's Patriots were vastly out numbered by loyalists. Why do you think Cornwallis was willing to march from the Carolina's to NY ? He knew he would be in Loyalist territory all the way, and local loyalists would be able to handle anything the Patriots attempted in the south. The only Colonies that were overwhelming  solidly for the rebellion were the 4 New England States and Virginia.
Another thing, don't be bad mouthing the suicide bomber. Just because you don't approve of his cause, and you don't like his targeting strategy has nothing to do with his effectiveness or the sheer balls that it takes to actually say "F*ck it, I'm not even going to try to survive, I'm just going to take as many as I can."  It may not have worked for Hamas but one incident took Spain out of the war on terror. That is exactly the type of strategy needed by small poor groups who wish to fight world powers.

Tom, re- read the portions of my text that you yourself highlighted. You will find that I used the term "critical mass" not "majority". History shows time and time again that a motivated, organized, and well led minority will kick the crap out of an apathetic or or ill led  majority nine times out of nine. On this, we agree. If I am throwing a war, I don't care what most people want. I care about what those who are likely to show up and get get serious want. They matter. If I can convince them, I win, if not, I lose. The rest are useless house plants, f..k them.
FQ13

[twyacht]

Why FQ, you've been reading Jeff Cooper again,....

 

"It is interesting to hear certain kinds of people insist that the citizen cannot fight the government. This would have been news to the men of Lexington and Concord, as well as the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan. The citizen most certainly can fight the government, and usually wins when he tries. Organized national armies are useful primarily for fighting against other organized national armies. When they try to fight against the people, they find themselves at a very serious disadvantage. If you will just look around at the state of the world today, you will see that the guerillero has the upper hand. Irregulars usually defeat regulars, providing they have the will. Such fighting is horrible to contemplate, but will continue to dominate brute strength."
Jeff Cooper

[Pathfinder]

Why FQ, you've been reading Jeff Cooper again,....

 

"It is interesting to hear certain kinds of people insist that the citizen cannot fight the government. This would have been news to the men of Lexington and Concord, as well as the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan. The citizen most certainly can fight the government, and usually wins when he tries. Organized national armies are useful primarily for fighting against other organized national armies. When they try to fight against the people, they find themselves at a very serious disadvantage. If you will just look around at the state of the world today, you will see that the guerillero has the upper hand. Irregulars usually defeat regulars, providing they have the will. Such fighting is horrible to contemplate, but will continue to dominate brute strength."
Jeff Cooper

And that is why .gov fears its own citizens, the very people who put it into place and which .gov allegedly represents.

God bless Jeff Cooper. That is a great quote.