The game has not changed, we face the same enemy, same challenges. The Beast never dies!

May 10, 2006 | Jim Robinson

[Jim Robinson]

TS

[RKBA Democrat]

"However, I have learned that it works even worse for me to try and be what I'm not. I'm not conventional. I'm not average. I'm not passive. I'm not milque toast."

Everyone has to find their own style and work with it. I'm certain there are some street preachers who acknowledge that what they do can repel. And they do it anyway because they think it's what works in the long run. And I readily acknowledge that with some folks it does.

The problem I see is that we've come to so rely on a polemical, shock-and-awe and (frankly) fear-mongering approach, that we've forgotten the other tools at our disposal. Simple kindness works wonders with folks who aren't used to that. I also fear that the direct, in-your-face approach may not be long at our disposal. What do we do then?

One of the things that finally attracted me to Christianity was when I realized that meekness did not equate passivity. I'm not a "passive" or "milquetoast" person by any stretch of the imagination. But I'm trying very hard for humility, meekness, and kindness. It's what The Boss wants, it does reflect what I want to be and to be seen as, and it works well for me.

I found it interesting that you brought up the spiritual aspect of people who are instantly repelled by you. FR can be very eye-opening in that respect. I post as a Democrat. I make no secret of that fact, and as you might guess I get my fair share of opportunities to turn the other cheek. And there are some folks out there who, well...

The point is that we're locked in a spiritual battle. We do ourselves and God a great disfavor by not utilizing all the tools that He put at our disposal.

[Quix]

Quite so--several, probably all your points in that post.

I've learned some of them the very hardest ways or seemingly so.

It's also interesting, I'm experienced as much warmer and much more empathetic etc. face to face than in my writing online or in letters. Though in a group process group I can be pretty intense and pointed. Still, even there I tend to come across as very caring and tender hearted.

I suspect some of my liberal colleagues would describe me as very compassionate, tender hearted etc. and some would describe me as a flaming, crazy, fierce, narrow minded, harsh, fundamentalist conservative.

I think probably I am more prone to come across as the latter when I experience them as narrow, rigid, fiercely hostile etc. AND WHEN having experienced them that way and repeatedly tried a softer approach coming along side of them as best I could--to no seeming effect . . . then I think I tend to get more fierce and in their faces as they seem to like so much to do with me.

Not saying that's right or even wisest but I think there probably is a pattern there. I'll ponder and pray more on that.

Thanks for the input.

[Rokke]

"I could, but you're not really interested in an explanation."

I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't interested. And you would have offered one if you were capable. Apparently, you are unable to explain how turning the Congress over to Democrats will help conservatives. Perhaps you really aren't interested in helping conservatives.

[FBD]

Good post, Jim. ...Related to Marxism, I'm sure you've seen those Che posters that many pro-illegal protesters are carrying. I found that very distubing. In that vein, consider what Hamilton had to say about (excessive) immigration:

Alexander Hamilton:

"The opinion advanced in [Jefferson’s] Notes on Virginia is undoubtedly correct, that foreigners will generally be apt to bring with them attachments to the persons they have left behind; to the country of their nativity, and to its particular customs and manners. They will also entertain opinions on government congenial with those under which they have lived; or if they should be led hither from a preference to ours, how extremely unlikely is it that they will bring with them that temperate love of liberty, so essential to real republicanism?…"

"In the recommendation to admit indiscriminately foreign emigrants of every description to the privileges of American citizens, on their first entrance into our country, there is an attempt to break down every pale which has been erected for the preservation of a national spirit and a national character; and to let in the most powerful means of perverting and corrupting both the one and the other."
[From Hamilton, “The Examination,” nos. 7-9 (1802), Papers of Alexander Hamilton, ed. Harold C. Syrett (New York: Columbia University Press, 1961-), 25:491-501.]

[Marysecretary]

Good article, Jim. We are in a spiritual battle for the soul of our country and the liberals are just carrying water for our real enemy, satan himself. Keep up the good fight.

[Czar]

"Apparently, you are unable to explain how turning the Congress over to Democrats will help conservatives."

Try to get this through your head. I know it's a concept difficult for a party loyalist to comprehend, but it's not the responsibility of any loyal American conservative to explain anything to a member of the Party-Above-Principle Big Tent GOP. If anybody is responsible for answering your strawman question, it would be the GOP/RNC, because they are the ones who will be accountable if in fact their repudiation of a conservative agenda, and conservatives, does in fact result in "turning the Congress over to Democrats".

"Perhaps you really aren't interested in helping conservatives."

You still aren't listening. What I'm not interested in is helping the Party-Above-Principle Big Tent GOP RINOs. They have sold out conservatives and the conservative agenda. Why the hell should I support people who do not support conservative interests? You may think that's the way to go--real conservatives do not.

In other words, the old "democrats are so much worse, you simply have no other choice but to vote for the GOP" argument no longer sells. It's dead.

By all means keep trying to resuscitate it, though.

[Rokke]

You would have wasted a lot less of your time and my time if you'd just said..."I can't explain why a Democrat congress is good for Conservatives". If you were a "real conservative" you'd be more than capable of explaining your position. I don't believe you are ANY kind of conservative, nevermind a "real" one. Enjoy trolling around FreeRepublic.

[Czar]

"If you were a "real conservative" you'd be more than capable of explaining your position."

It's all there, clear enough for just about anyone to grasp except for the "pull that least worse lever" party drones.

"I don't believe you are ANY kind of conservative, nevermind a "real" one."

You Party-Above-Principle Big Tent GOP pretend-conservatives all mouth the same nonsense.

You wouldn't recognize a real conservative without someone explaining it to you.

By the way, keep voting the way you have been voting; it's been so smashingly successful...

[Rokke]

"It's all there, clear enough for just about anyone to grasp except for the "pull that least worse lever" party drones."

You've flat out stated you aren't going to explain anything. I quote..."I could, but you're not really interested in an explanation." Now you are saying "It's all there." What is? Your refusal to explain anything? Face it. You stand for nothing. You only know how to complain. In your mind a "real conservative" is someone who knows how to bitch but can't offer an alternative. No wonder third parties have a perfect record of failure in this country. If you represent the typical intelligence of a third party voter, you will live and die an unhappy whiner.

"By the way, keep voting the way you have been voting; it's been so smashingly successful"

Yet you can't explain why any alternative would be better. Brilliant.

[Czar]

"Face it. You stand for nothing."

I stand with loyal American conservatives and a conservative agenda.

What do you stand for, other than your mindless devotion to the Party-Above-Principle Big Tent RINOs that have made a mess of practically everything they've touched.

"In your mind a "real conservative" is someone who knows how to bitch but can't offer an alternative."

Actually, a loyal American conservative believes in certain values. Insofar as the illegal alien issue is concerned, loyal American conservatives believe in protecting American sovereignty, defending the borders, and preserving American culture, customs, traditions and the English language.

Do you share those same values, Rokke? All we want is a simple Yes or No. Any long winded explanations, conditions, ifs, ands, or buts, will be taken for a No.

"No wonder third parties have a perfect record of failure in this country. If you represent the typical intelligence of a third party voter, you will live and die an unhappy whiner."

Where did I say anything to you about a third party? I didn't, so don't bother mounting a frantic search. So, your words--not mine. You play with them.

You'll have to try harder to convince anyone around here that you are a loyal American conservative. But a good start would be a Yes to the values question I posed above.

I promise not to hold my breath.

[Rokke]

"I stand with loyal American conservatives and a conservative agenda."

OK. Who are you going to vote for in November?

"What do you stand for..."

American conservatives and a conservative agenda. And I will vote for the most conservative person on the ballot for every office I can come November.

"Do you share those same values, Rokke? All we want is a simple Yes or No."

Yes. Absolutely. And I've proved it with 21 years of service in our military, and every time I vote.

"Where did I say anything to you about a third party?"

Well, lets think about that. You aren't voting for Republicans. You claim you aren't a democrat so I'll assume you won't vote for them either. So that leaves.....a third party. Unless you don't vote at all which is the ultimate betrayal of American values. So which is it?

[VRWCmember]

And those who decide to actively work against the people here and what we are working to accomplish are definitely not welcome. Just MHO.

Yeah? Well who died and made you the owner of this place? Oh, wait, you are the owner. (nevermind)

[Czar]

"OK. Who are you going to vote for in November?"

I don't know yet. What are your suggestions to help me find a no-bullshit, unapologetic, loyal American conservative with a no-compromises position on the illegal alien issue and a conservative position on other issues?

"And I will vote for the most conservative person on the ballot for every office I can come November."

Well, that sounds good, but leaves a lot of wiggle room to vote for a RINO. At what point does a candidate become insufficiently conservative to warrant being excluded from consideration? Lets say the choice is between a socialist (Bernie Sanders) and a certifed liberal RINO puke (Licoln Chaffee). Do you vote for Chaffee as the "most conservative person" or do you simply "no vote" that particular office?

""Do you share those same values, Rokke? All we want is a simple Yes or No."

" Yes. Absolutely. And I've proved it with 21 years of service in our military,..."

Good enough, even for me. And thank you for your service to our country.

"You aren't voting for Republicans."

That is not my position. I most certainly will vote for conservative Republicans--but I'm all finished with the "least worse" RINOs.

"You claim you aren't a democrat so I'll assume you won't vote for them either."

Essentially correct, but I don't rule out voting for a truly conservative Rat (an extremely rare commodity) in lieu of a RINO. But the Rat would have to have a very conservative record.

"So that leaves.....a third party. Unless you don't vote at all which is the ultimate betrayal of American values."

When and if a third party can persuade me it shares my hard right rudder conservative values, I am more than ready to re-register from my present (R) status. In the meantime, if the (R) on the ballot is a Rat in RINO clothes, I will now "no vote" that particular office. Didn't use to do this but, as I've said, I intend to do that from now on. For example, lets say, here in California, the governor choices are Angelides (socialist/liberal Rat), Westly (liberal Rat), and Schwarzenegger (Rat in RINO clothes). If the election were held today (and I always reserve the right to change my mind upon a showing of sufficienly compelling reasons to do so), I would "no vote" the governor choice. That you consider this "the ultimate betrayal of American values" is merely an opinion to which you are certainly entitled. I do not share your opinion.

That's it.

[Vicomte13]

"Unless you don't vote at all which is the ultimate betrayal of American values."

That is false.
Not voting is not a betrayal of American values at all.
America is not Australia, where people are REQUIRED to vote.
By choosing not to cast a vote, an American may be saying several things.
One might be: I am generally content with the direction in which the country is going, and do not see a material difference between the two parties on issues I care about, so I will leave it to those committed to those issues I don't care about to thrash out who gets to lead.

Another thing an American not voting might be saying is: The constitutional structure of the country is so strong that politics are practically irrelevant to the core liberties I care about. Neither party has been able to do much damage, and I'm not interested in taking sides.

A third statement that not voting might say is: A pox on both your houses! You refuse to represent me, and I will be DAMNED if I cast a vote supporting you when I do not.

If an American chooses not to vote, he has exercised his right to vote by abstaining from the process in a particular election. It is perfectly in keeping with American values to abstain if one does not agree with the options presented. Don't kid yourself otherwise.

[cricket]

a 'great post' bump. . .and a thank you, for the sharing. . .

(Personally, I am sick of hearing about the Conservatves who are abandoning President Bush. . .can only say they had better get back in the boat and paddle. . .)

[ladyinred]

BRAVO Jim!!!!

[ladyinred]

Don't miss this!

[Rokke]

"What are your suggestions to help me find a no-bullshit, unapologetic, loyal American conservative with a no-compromises position on the illegal alien issue and a conservative position on other issues? "

Consider ALL the available candidates and choose the one who best fits your values.

"At what point does a candidate become insufficiently conservative to warrant being excluded from consideration?"

When there is another available candidate who is more conservative. If the choice is between Bernie Sanders and Lincoln Chaffee, ask yourself who you would want to win if your vote was THE deciding vote. A socialist...or a RINO?

"I don't rule out voting for a truly conservative Rat (an extremely rare commodity) in lieu of a RINO."

Nothing wrong with that at all. I would much rather vote for Zell Miller than Susie Collins. And I would if that was my choice.

"If the election were held today (and I always reserve the right to change my mind upon a showing of sufficienly compelling reasons to do so), I would "no vote" the governor choice"

Every single time I vote, I assume my vote is THE deciding vote. If my options for governor were Angelides or Schwarzenegger, I would pick the one who best matched my values. If my "no vote" vote meant Angelides would win, I would draw a big bold "X" in the Schwarzenegger box. And if you don't think your single vote really matters, consider Florida in 2000.

[Rokke]

"Not voting is not a betrayal of American values at all. "

You don't think choosing to not participate in our democratic system isn't a betrayal of American values? Then you take those values for granted. Millions of Iraqis braved bombs and homicidal butchers to vote for candidates that probably didn't meet all their requirements. But they recognized the opportunity to participate in their own destiny, and they took it. You, on the other hand, are more interested in throwing a temper tantrum, taking your ball (or your vote) and going home if you don't get your way. You have become both greedy and lazy, and those aren't traditional American values either. Do you want to know what statement your decision not to vote really makes...no statement. Nobody tallies non-votes. Nobody even knows why you didn't vote. Maybe you were sick, stupid, lost, forgetful or just plain lazy. Only you will be aware of the "deep" meaning attached to your failure to participate in our democracy. If that is good enough for you, so be it. But the party will go on without you.