Zen and the Art of /.*/

Published in the May 6th edition of the Osseo / Maple Grove Press:

There may have been a few turned heads and raised eyebrows on First Ave NE this past week. Where once I had frequently flown the Stars and Stripes, I have instead been flying a bright yellow flag with a coiled rattlesnake and the words “DONT TREAD ON ME” [sic].

This flag is known as the Gadsden Flag, after the American general and statesman, Christopher Gadsden, who designed it. It is considered one of the first flags of the United States and a symbol of the early revolutionary spirit of liberty and patriotism. Benjamin Franklin himself is credited with popularizing the use of the rattlesnake as a symbol of the American spirit.

Recently, various government agencies have released reports instructing law enforcement officers to be on guard against “domestic terrorists” and “right-wing extremists.” Who do these reports consider to be likely “terrorists”? Returning veterans, defenders of the US Constitution, supporters of the Second Amendment, Tea Party protesters, pro-life supporters, people with conservative values, people concerned with abusive government power, and supporters of third-party candidates like Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr, and Ron Paul.

And how do these reports say that you can spot one of these dangerous extremists? Among other things, by their Gadsden Flags.

Of course these reports are breathtaking in their ignorance, pretension, and recklessness.

Two thousand years ago, a Roman Senator suggested that all slaves wear white armbands to better identify them.

“No,” said a wiser Senator, “If they see how many of them there are, they may revolt.”

Am I advocating any kind of violent revolt? No. But I do advocate that people stand up to be counted and let the government know that they’ve had enough. Enough taxes, enough regulation, enough intrusion, enough bailouts, enough corruption, enough Democrats, enough Republicans, enough war, enough spying, enough torture, ENOUGH!

Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to William Smith on November 13th, 1787, wrote:

“What country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?”

And finally, Ron Paul, before the U.S. House of Representatives on May 22, 2007, said:

“Time is short, but our course of action should be clear. Resistance to illegal and unconstitutional usurpation of our rights is required. Each of us must choose which course of action we should take: education, conventional political action, or even peaceful civil disobedience to bring about necessary changes.”

“But let it not be said that we did nothing. Let not those who love the power of the welfare/warfare state label the dissenters of authoritarianism as unpatriotic or uncaring. Patriotism is more closely linked to dissent than it is to conformity and a blind desire for safety and security. Understanding the magnificent rewards of a free society makes us unbashful in its promotion, fully realizing that maximum wealth is created and the greatest chance for peace comes from a society respectful of individual liberty.”

Time is short. Let it not be said that we did nothing.