Everyone is familiar with the way gorillas beat their chests in an attempt to intimidate each other. Juveniles do it when interacting with other juveniles, but when an old silverback shows up, they go back to picking fleas and eating leaves.
When the Weavers were under siege at Ruby Ridge the internet was still in its infancy but there were still rumbles of protest from right-wing groups and individuals… but little more.
When the Branch Davidians were under siege at Waco the rumblings began again… and died.
When the Forest Service flexed its muscles at Jarbridge Creek, the rumbling became louder and eventually showed itself as the engines of cars and trucks showing up from all over the country… and the Forest Service backed down.
Again, when the government decided a trash fish was more valuable than farms around Klamath Falls people showed up and faced down the faceless bureaus.
Each time the internet was abuzz with recrimination, threats and bumper-sticker slogans. But only in the last two instances were those slogans given the muscle to make the government blink.
Like the rest of you, I didn’t go to Ruby Ridge or Waco because … Well, just because. I didn’t go to Jarbridge because there were already plenty of people there. At least, that’s what I told myself. But when they turned off the water in Klamath Falls I put an SKS and three bandoliers of ammo in the car and drove down there. To my eternal joy, the rifle wasn’t needed nor was it even taken out of the car, but at least I was ready to back up my words if I had to.
Now this forum and several others are carrying stories about how the City of New Orleans is violating the rights of citizens by forcibly disarming them… and the chest-beating has begun. “From my cold, dead hands” isn’t a threat any more, your hands are already dead… too much keyboard time, I guess. Or maybe rigor mortis has spread from the butts that you have firmly planted in front of the TV. Whatever. You guys are all talk and no action. Thank God the men of Lexington and Concord weren’t like you. Go back to your fleas and leaves.
