It's already over, so the pundits tell us. Mitt has won, so everyone else should just go home now and save the effort.
Ann Coulter has been telling us for more than a month that Mitt is the only chance we have of beating President Obama. Of course, I am not part of Ann's 'We'.
Interesting that most pundits will agree that the best way to clinch a nomination quickly is a one-two punch in Iowa and New Hampshire, which vote one week apart.
The interesting thing is that Ron Paul currently has the lead in Iowa, depending on the poll, or second place. And while Conventional Wisdom has Mitt in a landslide in New Hampshire, second place looks like it is Ron Paul's to lose. Conventional Wisdom, of course, isn't.
It looks to me as if the opening bell has not yet rung, and the heir to the Throne has looked into the ring and seen a 76 year old Texan that he would rather not fight...
Here's a piece from NH.
Kerodin
III
Graybeard connects dots from Barnhardt to Denninger and beyond and puts it into historical perspective.
Common sense and intuition have been warning many of us for a while that economic Implosion is imminent and nearing, could MF Global be the catalyst that starts the bank runs? Once the run starts, it will not end except in Death Camps.
Here's the link.
Kerodin
III
We were warned about standing armies.
We have two in this country, the armed forces and LEO.
We have a Political Class that is determined to be an Imperial power. The problem with Empire is that you can only expand so long as you are conquering treasure. When that fails and your home country begins to get antsy because they are feeling the financial pinch, Empire builders have two choices: Quit the Empire or include their Countrymen among the conquered.
This is where we stand today.
Those who mean to have a war machine and use it will enslave us all to keep their toys. That is why you see such cooperation between professional military and civilian LEO. Most of the men and women involved in those two groups like their toys and they enjoy being part of a special class of Citizens. The Politicians who give them orders use them as tools to impose their will upon the rest of us.
Once again the wisdom of Jefferson would have prevented us this hardship.
Too many among us look to the Revolutionary War and fail to understand that the conflict is the same as we face today, in an examination of principles. We have Countrymen among us who will do violence to force us to obey their Masters. They are better armed and resourced. They have Law on their side, and we do not.
All we have is morality and our desire to live as Free men at Liberty.
That is enough, if we also dig deep and find the will to match our desire.
You can not retreat from this enemy. Today even the escape into the Territories is off the table.
There is only one way you will be Free and at Liberty in your lifetime, and there is only one way you will secure those treasures for your posterity. You will have to willingly enter Hell, willingly trade your life for the goals we seek, and recognize that your authority to be Free and at Liberty is granted by a force far greater than any man who would see you enslaved.
You may not live through this Hell. But you must enter and keep going until you reach the other side, or until you are dead. If you fall, the rest of us will do all we can to secure Freedom and Liberty for your posterity. Should I fall, I hope you will do the same.
We need not go looking for Monsters to slay.
We need only stand our ground and refuse to yield Liberty.
We need only take the decision that where we go, Liberty will be safe.
The Monsters will come for us, it is their nature.
Think about it.
Kerodin
III
A favor of regular readers: I'd appreciate a concerted effort over the rest of the week if readers would help spread the word about America527.org or this site to the sites you visit that are outside of our immediate III Community.
I want to do big things in Virginia this cycle, mostly before the primary (and after if we get the right nominee) and I want to be able to help send delegates to TL's Summit, and all of this takes more money than I can commit by myself. So, if you can help just spread the audience to gun sites and anywhere else you think we may find allies online, that is a big help.
Stay safe.
Kerodin
III
If you are not sure where Politico is on the political spectrum, you will after reading the column that is intended to be a roadmap for 2012 Occupy.
Here's a quote from one of the "Experts" interviewed for advice about how Occupy can be relevant in 2012: “We want to grab the old-school practitioners, grab them by the neck and throw them out...
This guy is talking about Economic Professors in colleges. Two important points: First, I have no problem with crashing the Econ Departments across American colleges - they are idiots. Second point: He and I speak the same language when it comes to the how of dealing with bad actors - grab them by the neck and throw them out...
We differ when we define bad actors, however. But you already knew that...
The column is a good read if you want an insight to where the professional Left wants to take us next year. Mob Rule is their working model. They want to impose their will by force and numbers. But, you already knew that, too.
I will be active in 2012 working in Virginia to counter the efforts of the Occupy idiots. Mayland is a pointless place to invest any energy this cycle. I'll be in DC as well, but more to cover the melee than anything else, and perhaps to stir the pot, but DC is not a voting block that will matter.
Virginia is another story. Virginia matters, as it can go Blue or Red. It matters because it can go Romney Red or Paul Red.
Consider what you will be doing in your AO in 2012 to work the political front. If you live in a place that is hopeless - like California - consider sending a few bucks to your favorite candidate and let them spend where they need. Perhaps there is a good candidate locally for Sheriff. Perhaps you'd be that good Sheriff? Have you ever wondered why none of our own run for important offices, like Sheriff or the House? I have, and I don't buy the excuse that it won't matter.
I do have one caveat regarding 2012 election activities: If the Republican Party goes Romney Red, I will not bother wasting any money or energy on the Presidential fight. I'll turn my focus to generally countering Occupy efforts and perhaps work with a few local candidates, but there is no point cheering or doing work for another useless R in the White House.
How to counter the Occupy folks? It ain't with petitions and soap box speeches...
But, you already knew that, too.
Here is the Politico piece. It's worth a fast scan.
Kerodin
III
Virginia is important this cycle, not only in the general election, but it has also just become very important in the primaries as well...because either Mitt Romney or Ron Paul will take the 49 GOP Delegates to the Convention. The other candidates failed to get on the ballot.
That's a big deal, and potentially a big advantage if Ron Paul wins.
Cash moves politics. It is a simple, ugly reality. If you want Liberty it will cost all three: Lives, fortunes and sacred honor. Until you accept responsibility for becoming a politician yourself, as did all of our Founders and Framers, you can not claim to be putting 100% of your energy into the fight for Liberty.
We are doing a LOT of work in Virginia right now, because it matters.
But there are many ways to advance the political message, and we explore a few at Kerodin.com in this weeks column, here.
Kerodin
III
Drudge is linking to a Time article by Robert Reich, a genuine Democrat insider, who is predicting an Obama/Clinton ticket. He claims no inside intel, believe what you will. At the very least it is a very well-informed trial balloon for the D base.
No matter. What matters is that if it happens, it will work. It is very unlikely any R candidate can overcome the D excitement at having Hillary on the ticket. Sorry, that's just reality.
But here is the more important reality: Would Hillary do it?
Why should she? She carries none of the Obama stain as things stand right now. If she signs on to bail him out, she "might" be seen as the saviour of the D party...and she would also be accepting the taint that President Obama now enjoys by himself. If his second term goes badly, as VP she can not distance herself from the stench, the way she can as Secretary of State.
What does Hillary gain by bailing out Obama?
Looking at the political world through the Clinton lens, they win bigger if Obama fails and Hillary runs in 2016 as savior, without any stain.
But the flip side of that: President Obama is doing the heavy lifting toward socialism, a place Hillary would like to go. If she signs onto the ticket and let's President Obama continue the pace, she will look like a moderate in 2016, running from the office of the VP. That is a powerful position.
You can bet the Clintons are doing the political calculus, and it will be interesting to see how it goes.
One political reality is certain: Obama/Clinton beats any R ticket in 2012.
Here's the Reich piece.
Kerodin
III
...and anything can be used as a weapon.
Guy with a club gets shot with an arrow from the porch - Pennsylvania's first test of the Castle Doctrine.
Here.
Kerodin
III
Wow. 1984 was not written as an instruction manual...
Here.
Kerodin
III
Only 173?
I wonder how many Citizens were killed by LEO...
Here's the story.
Kerodin
III
Whether you shoot a Steyr or an SKS, can you shoot as well as the rifle is capable?
Serious practical information at WRSA, here.
Kerodin
III
A 4 point lead, 6 days out.
Establishment R's have already telegraphed that if Ron Paul wins, it simply makes Iowans irrelevant. It also means they will surrender the Oval Office to President Obama, rather than risk a Ron Paul overhaul from the Executive.
Yes, Dorothy, a President can do tremendous work to put us back on a course toward Constitutional respect. Unless Congress overrides him constantly, there will be serious change. He can shut down Executive departments. He can dismiss Cabinet officials. He can refuse to order the military into foreign excursions. He can refuse to appoint Judges.
He can do a lot of good work, even if he is alone.
If you are a Ron Paul supporter, consider throwing a few bucks to his campaign now so he can make the most of Iowa.
UPDATE: Why send Ron Paul money now, if you are a supporter? Because Mitt has positioned himself for a week-long push to be the flavor of the moment to coincide with election day. Story is here.
Here's the story about the poll. It's from The Hill, one of the more accurate DC insider publications.
Kerodin
III
That's Lauren. She is one of the models working on a Go Bag project we have in the queue.
The knife below is a Benchmade 530, designed by Mel Pardue. The folks at Benchmade provided it for the project. We've completed the photoshoot for the blade and the evaluation, and we have found the blade to be an excellent choice for general carry as a CQB piece.
It is featherweight and well-built, strong, the blade razor sharp and easy to open & close with a single hand. The clip is positive and will keep the knife where you choose to carry. At 3.25" the blade is up to the task of saving your life.
We are giving this knife away to one person who contributes $20 or more between now and Jan. 2 to America 527, to help with our efforts in Virginia. (You'll also get a III Patch) Also: If you purchase a dozen or more III to Liberty books (here) for your local distribution, you'll be in the mix for the knife.
As you know by now, Virginia is only permitting Ron Paul and Mitt Romney on the GOP primary ballot. This is the opportunity for which Ron Paul fans, and lovers of Liberty, have been waiting. The Delegates in Virginia could be enough to push the winning GOP candidate into the nomination!
So, help us by dropping $20 (or more if you can afford it) at the Contribute Button in the upper-right corner and you'll be helping us in the fight for Liberty in Virginia, and you'll be in the running for the Benchmade!
Or, you can click here for the link to America527.
Kerodin
III
Update on patches: We expect them in our shop early next week. They'll turn around and head for those who have contributed the same day we get them in. K
December gun sales have already outpaced November - and the month isn't over yet.
And November was the biggest gun-sales month recorded.
What does this tell you?
Sadly, I am not as sanguine that the numbers reflect a spike in reverence for 2A. I'm willing to bet that the number of first-time buyers is relatively insignificant. Most sales are probably folks who already have a safe filled, and are looking pessimistically into 2012.
That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Having an Uncle or friend you know will put a rifle in your hands when you need one is almost as good as owning one yourself.
Here's the story on the numbers.
Kerodin
III
You've probably seen the story about TSA expanding the VIPR program. If not, it is here.
Teams of TSA Agents are working with State and Local LEO to randomly stop and search Americans in the name of Terrorism Security.
Of course, the truth is different. The truth is that people in the American Government are implementing a Police State modeled upon Mischa Wolfe's STASI.
For those Patriots who claim they will never submit, who claim they will exercise 2A as they see fit, not one more inch and all that, consider driving on a highway and suddenly finding yourself in a backup of traffic, as a mobile VIPR Team has set up ahead. There is no exit betwen you and the Bad People.
They have a dozen Feds armed with SMGs. There are another 18 or so State and Local LEO "supporting", but in truth they are being taught. You are alone, with a pistol and maybe 2 mags.
They wave you to secondary, because Fido has alerted on the oil you use to slick the rails of that bottomfeeder. You are surrounded by a large team of folks in Conditions Yellow and Orange, who will be promoted for finding guys like you and grinding your face into the pavement as the first step on your new journey into the Federal prison system (Unless you start swapping spit with ATF and get your case kicked to a fine...) .
So much for your Sun Tzu and choosing the ground.
You will fight here, on their terms. Or, not. Either way, you are done.
Soon they will be in malls and office buildings.
Here in this video from February 2011, the VIPR Team has met a bus at the end of the journey and proceeds to search the passengers...after the journey has ended. So much for prevention.
Obviously, this is pure STASI methodology in support of the Police State.
The window of opportunity is closing.
Click here for the video.
Kerodin
III
Bump
Citizens of Montana have started a recall effort for their Senators over NDAA.
Mozart has the story, here.
Kerodin
III
I'm not diggin' the atmosphere of this image from InfoWars.
It smacks too much of the Iron Curtain.
I know they probably meant for it to be trendy...but it isn't.
It is on the front page of InfoWars, here.
Kerodin
III
"I think Barack Obama is very destructive to the future of the United States. I think Ron Paul's views are totally outside the mainstream of virtually every decent American," Gingrich said Tuesday in a CNN interview with Wolf Blitzer.
I guess that means I am an undecent American.
Here's the rest.
Kerodin
III
Pat makes excellent points for all of you who consider yourselves to be Christians, or who value Christian ideals, or even if you are just an American who understands that respecting the moral ideals of others is part of the nobility that is America.
Christian values are being murdered before our eyes.
Do we have what it takes to stop the abuse at the hands of our fellow Countrymen?
Read the column, here.
Kerodin
III
Another isolated incident.
Not worth any Patriot's ire.
Move along, Citizen.
Here's the story.
Also consider this from Oleg: Fiction is not keeping pace with reality.
Kerodin
III
