Stupid to die or go to prison over pieces of metal and plastic and wood

No man ever asked for a better squire, dear Sancho.

I'm just about tired of it myself. And yet. . . . a few have changed their tunes a bit. Who knows what the lurkers have thought?

The worst thing was that I promised to read Moore's book. That thing gave me a headache. I gave up halfway through and just posted a list of the outright lies he put in print. There are many.
 
Dennis, I read the original post a few days ago. I had to wait today to write.

I served in the Army from 1977 to 1992. I had not found anyone yet who could quantify the way I felt--the real, true reason why I served. No, it wasn't for the college money or for the benefits.

My son is in the Marine Corps now. I had not found anyone who could understand--as he explained to me--the reason why HE is serving, when he could have stayed at home.

I could not find anyone who understood why I choke up when I hear the Star-Spangled Banner. I could not find anyone who understood (when I tried to explain to them) exactly what I felt while standing guard duty in places far removed from these shores.

It seemed like no one fully knew why I only was interested in one part of the Winter Olympics--the part when our Flag was brought out, carried by a guard of honor. The same Flag that flew above the World Trade Center. Some folks thought I was strange when I said that the proper ending of that ceremony have been to fold the Flag, and to have it carried--by a World Trade Center survivor-to a waiting formation of soldiers or Marines, in full battle dress--to carry on the fight.

And, I thought, that no one could fully grasp what a true love for this great Nation--and the principles for which it stands--actually means.

I can not express--with a thousand years and a million pages--what your words evoked in me.

Someone DOES understand. And, someone DOES care.

Dennis, thanks--from the bottom of my heart.
 
Dennis,
Yours is truly one of the finest essays I have ever read on any subject, anywhere, ever. Thank you, sir, for your effort.
Bill
 
Truth And Eloquence Are Timeless

Five years later, this thread is alive and well to our great fortune. Mister Bateman, your piece will outlive all of us.
 
You know, I never get tired of reading this entire thread. Dennis' work is for the ages. The responses to it are almost as inspiring as the work itself.
 
I missed Metal and Wood the first time around...

can it be floated with a link to the thread? It is a truly great work and could be a TFL frontispiece.

Dennis, thank you. And capnrik, thank you for resurrecting it from the dim past.

-Andy
 
What can I say, that hasn't already been said, that was.........Damn.......The best piece of writing I've ever laid eyes on...my bodies frozen, and it's 90 degrees out side, goose bumps all over, my heart is pounding, and if I wasn't at work I would break down and cry. Dennis that was beautiful.

Sincerely,
Any .45
 
What they all said.

My ancestors have born arms since 1776 in this country. We will never surrender them without blood being spilled. Count on it.

Dennis has articulated why this must be so.
 
Dennis... That was beautiful. There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said by others.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

applause.gif
 
Im gonna be the odd man out, and most likely, no surely, be scorned and flamed.

I will not give up my life with my daughter and wife over stell and wood. I have a gut feeling most would not either. A good game is often talked, and it is a righteous thing to do so. I do not, nor will I , condemn nor fault anyone for their beliefs. Period. Each man must choose the road they shall travel, and Godspeed those who choose this less traveled byway.

If you had asked me three years ago, I would have responded with the sabre ratlling intensity shown here, and I would have meant it. All that changed on September 1st, 2001 when my daughter was born. I cannot, in good faith, say I would lay down my life for these things thatI so love. I realise with every fiber in my being that it is not the weaponry itself that is worth fighting for, it is our very freedom. I will not argue that poitn. To be honest, it saddens me to know that I have changed this way, but I have, and I feel that I have matured enough to know this about myself.

This being said, I do partake in the battle to retain the rights we have. I am a police officer, and I realize that I will lose my rights after non government employess, yet I have not relinquished my memberships in organizations devoted to preservation of our rights, nor have i ceased my efforts in letter writing. I simply realize when push comes to shove, I will not give up what semblance of a life I have with my family...call me weak, call me what you will, but at least call me honest enough to admit it.

Rest assured, however, if the day does come I am told to come get your guns, It will not be I on your doorstep. I do draw the line somewhere.


But, in the end, what do I know? This diatribe comes from a 24 year old rookie. Let the flames begin.
 
Know thyself

lilysdad,

I don't think you will be flamed, at least I hope not. As you found, a man's perspectives change drastically with the birth of his child. I'd like to think I would stand and fight and, if necessary, die - precisely because of the people I love, not in spite of them. But, having never faced that choice in the real world, it's all just empty talk. Each man has to look hard at himself and make his choice and live with the results. You've made yours and have nothing to apologize for; may God bless you and your family.

But Dennis' essay left my eyes damp and a big lump in my throat. A stirring cri de coeur from a true patriot.
 
Frankly, Don, you have the patience of a saint for trying to cope with their apparently boundless lack of thought and all things civil in nature. You’re a saint.
Click to expand...

Ditto! Even I can't deal with those people. I've read some threads there and seriously contemplated what type of drugs they are on. They are a far way from reality. Don't let them get the best of you, Don. :cool:
 
I respect what all of you say and how you feel about this. But wars are not fought by men without families and all though this is not a war, something like this can happen, all it takes is that one man or woman with that will not release they're arms to the Gov't gets arrested or worse and boom it starts, there goes everyones freedom.

One can not say what they will do when push comes to shove, but I do know this, one man alone can not win the battle, muchless win the war, but one man can start a revolution. So the day that they do take our arms thats the day we lost our freedom, because we can't fight wars with sticks and stones. This is why we do what we all do, and that is take part in wonderful forums like this speek our minds and stick together.

With all respect,

Any .45 :mad:
 
lilysdad, I think you are mistaken.

For the reasons you wrote--indeed, for the devotion you demonstrate for your daughter--I believe that you and others like you (and me) will be some of the FIRST to take up arms to defend this Nation. For, in defending our country, you ARE defending your family and the people you love.

And, God forbid, if the time comes, people like us will do so with a flame and intensity that has not been seen in this country since the days of the Revolutionary War.

Oh, and for the rest of the folks: I also want to let you know that if the call comes to go door-to-door, I will be there. But, I won't be confiscating guns.

I will be one of the people waiting for the confiscators. As will a LOT of other cops I know.

And, I will be in uniform. But, it won't be a police uniform. In a garment bag in my closet, there's an old set of BDU's, with Staff Sergeant's stripes on the collar. They still fit.

These words come to mind....

"I...do solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic....


LET FREEDOM RING!
 
Flames? You told the simple truth. So did Dennis. And no man can know with absolute certainty how he will meet any particular test until he's been there.

No flames here. And you're too thoughtful to call yourself rookie.
 
Dennis,you are a true patriot.I will keep your words close.And if the day ever comes id stand with any of you gents any day!I wont hand my freedom over without a fight,kids or not,it would be a fight to be part of as our kids need to grow up in a free America.I would gladly fight or even die securing freedom for our children and the freedom of future americans.Dennis i hope you dont mind but i printed out your metal and wood speech and will show it to friends,for it is by far the most beautifully written patriotic statement ive seen in a long time.Youve brought hope back to me in these times when i feel so alone in my patriotism.God bless you sir!!!!!
 
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