“I feel like saluting every damned biker I see, patched, “cut,” or not. I pray local lamen stand strong with the righteous, even if some of those righteous do have a few busts in their pasts.”
Finny, I can call you “dear” because you are younger than I am.
Dear Finny, you seem to be “stuck” in the idealism of the 60s of rebels and rebellion. OK how funny to sing out of tune back then! But this is far more serious than can be combated by merely singing out of tune, or praising “rebels.” I am responding not only to this post, but to others you have made. The biker gangs, in your opinion, are mere “rebels” . . . to be somehow praised and honored?? OH?
The rebels of the 60s and to this day, can exist ONLY because their freedom to do so has been bought and paid in blood sacrifices of generations who preceded them.
Immigrants who rightfully FLED Tyranny in Europe, wanted ONLY to be left alone in their pursuits as small holders, tradesmen, etc., to earn a living in order to support their families. THEY fought in the French and Indian Wars, the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War . . . they bled, they suffered life fore-shortening disabilities, they died, they left widows and minor children. I have evidence in my own lines.
I submit it would be quite foreign to their experiences, to learn that they died for “rebels” of the present, who do not deign to take up the shovel and the mule to earn their honest living off the land. But instead just “ride free” — OK MY ancestors died so that bikers can “ride free” — so that they NEED NOT do as those who bled for their freedom — the FREEDOM to earn one’s own living and support one’s own family by the sweat of his OWN brow, within the law, without interference of the Government. Somehow, the 60s allow people to just ride free, not support society, just ignore any and all responsibilities. AND just how is that honorable, leaving OTHERS to found the small businesses, to hire the people, to earn their livings, to support their families and in the best American case, without government interference?
Somehow YOU think is is NOBLE to be a rebel?? When our ancestors bled and died so that Americans could earn an honest living? Somehow, you believe yourself in consonance with the Constitution and Bill of Rights, while supporting Biker Rebels? and what are they indeed Rebels against? if not the honest labor of honest freeholders in an honest society?? WHY are they REBELS? I ASK YOU. And is not their decision to NOT be productive members of society, as rebels, in itself, an indictment of they who rebelliously refuse to submit — to honest labor? Riding Free is a chimera. Everyone has to earn his own living. OR?
NO, dear (remember I am older than you are.) The founders, my and your ancestors, suffered and died for no such thing. Being a REBEL is a LUXURY life style, bought and PAID FOR by the blood of others.
IF the rebels were to be truly noble, they would take up the plow and earn an honest living.
Finny, you seem to be stuck in the 60s. Go back a few hundred years into American History. I have. And hundreds of years back into their European experiences.
Servus, of course
ALL Americans have the right to free-association with bikers, children of the 60s, rednecks, hippies, slobs, shady characters, felons, tattooed people, beer drinkers, smokers, and others of whom you and people like you disapprove.
At Waco, 117 people with ZERO criminal record were punished so severely that their personal and financial lives have been destroyed and they now have arrest records with a very serious charge, that will prejudice police, employers, and others against them for the rest of their lives.
As for being a rebel -- you're darned right I value rebels.
Rebels are WHO CREATED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.