Readers of these pages might get the idea that I am unhappy with the United States. I complain about the gun laws on the books, I warn of the dangers of gun laws (and other laws) being proposed, and I express outrage that people like me, and those with whom I most identify, are increasingly viewed as a potential threat to our way of life.
Despite all that, I love this great nation, and would not trade it for any other country on Earth. In short, as an American, I have much to be thankful for. In no particular order, and with no attempt at comprehensiveness:
I am enormously grateful for the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend this country, we the people, and our liberty. Without them, and the generations that preceded them, there would be no United States.
My gratitude to the Oath Keepers, and their vow to not let even direct orders lead them to violate their duty to the Constitution, knows no bounds. Alternately mocked and vilified in the media (and what does that say about our "watchdogs," that they see absurdity--or outright menace--in a vow to refuse unconstitutional orders?), their very existence helps deter the kinds of orders that would force them to act on their oath.
I would be remiss if I neglected thanking the Founding Fathers, for the Constitution they bequeathed us. As might be guessed, I am particularly grateful for the Second Amendment--"the true palladium of liberty." Without it, and the protection it provides to the people's right to the means to resist tyranny, our liberty depend on the good will, noble intentions, and limited ambitions of our servants, who, inevitably, tend to fancy themselves our masters. I will be forever thankful for my confidence that any serious attempt to disarm the American people will end in the deaths of the would-be disarmers.
Happy Thanksgiving.
----------
Another person to thank: Max Lemus, who has just finished his "Not Without a Fight" documentary on gun rights, and the struggle to defend them, featuring, among others, several of my Gun Rights Examiner colleagues. Two of them, David Codrea (who also wishes readers a happy Thanksgiving) and Paul Valone, have more. This superbly done documentary, if we're smart enough to use it, can be of enormous use in making the case for the armed citizen.
Atlanta: Ed Stone | Austin: Howard Nemerov | Boston: Ron Bokleman | Charlotte: Paul Valone | Cheyenne: Anthony Bouchard | Chicago: Don Gwinn | Cleveland: Daniel White | DC: Mike Stollenwerk | Denver: Dan Bidstrup | Grand Rapids: Skip Coryel | Knoxville: Liston Matthews | Los Angeles: John Longenecker | Minneapolis: John Pierce | National: David Codrea | Phoenix: Douglas Little | Seattle: Dave Workman | St. Louis: Kurt Hofmann | Wisconsin: Gene German
Comments
Happy Thanksgiving Kurt.
Thanks, Kent, and likewise.
THANK YOU AND REMEMBER OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILY, THIS IS TRULY A GREAT COUNTRY BUT, WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DESTROY THAT FREEDOM AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME PRINCPLES AS WE DO, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL AMERICANS AND BE GREATFULL WE HAVE FRREDOM THAT IS SLOWLY FADING, BUT NOT ON MY WATCH AS A VETERAN AND PATRIOT AND A OATHKEEPER
"...the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend this country, we the people, and our liberty."
Which of my liberties, specifically, do you think is endangered by -anything- in Iraq or Afghanistan?
While I appreciate the valor of those troops, I can't see that they are doing anything except carrying out the wishes of the 'power elite' and making me (and you) less safe in the bargain.
Thankful that disarming will end in the death of would be disarmers? Does this not seem off to anyone? People like you are the reason that there are laws against guns in any civilized country. They make people dangerous.
Obama poses the most imminent threat to the peace and safety of every American: he is surrounded by Chicago-style thugs. Everyone with a gun needs to stay alert. We have no idea of when Obama will stage a coup against America, and we have a lot of weirdos would not fight to protect our nation!
"ME"! You need professional help immediately. You are of the group that requires America to be armed and alert!
Says FranklinFL: "While I appreciate the valor of those troops, I can't see that they are doing anything except carrying out the wishes of the 'power elite' and making me (and you) less safe in the bargain."
FranklinFL, whether or not the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are good policy, and make us safer, is certainly worthy of discussion (although somewhat beyond the scope of these pages), but it's a bit beside the point.
When I referred to "the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend this country, we the people, and our liberty," I referred to our troops everywhere, who, by virtue of their very existence, deter the aggressive impulses of other nations.
Says "Me": "Thankful that disarming will end in the death of would be disarmers? Does this not seem off to anyone? People like you are the reason that there are laws against guns in any civilized country. They make people dangerous."
I'll tell you what, "Me"--those "civilized countr(ies)" to which you refer, in outlawing guns, have outlawed the people's ability to stand against evil. If it seems "off" to you that I'm thankful that attempts to render Americans similarly unable to resist evil will be fatal to the would-be oppressors, then I'm proud to be "off." If necessary, I'll also be glad that possessing guns allows me to be "dangerous" to those would-be oppressors.
Hi Kurt, Kent, Donald, and Preacher1. happy thanksgiving to you fellow sheepdogs. A very merry and thankful Christmas is in order also. May God bless you one and all and may he keep us free always. These jokers in the whitehouse and their anti American czars be tried as the treasonous asps they are. Help us to put the love and respect of the Lord in all hearts. Feel sorry for those who have commented here that have been brainwashed by the mass media and in our schools KG-university. ecucate yourself. a couple of evenings is enough time to study the Constitution in context encluding the language of the day and the writings and speeches available by the framers of the greatest document in history short of the Bible. Only then can you fully understand what we are saying when we say we will kill those who come for out guns. Hamilton shoud be the first study. Google Gun facts 5.0 and learn what the lies are that the media furnishes. Google "On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs by Dave Grossman
Frank, what caused 9/11, we weren't at war in either place then, were we? Who was it who paid, provided training camps and eventually sanctuary for those who attacked us? Oh, that's right, both places. So STFU.
Me, if you're worried about warnings of fatality for those who make us helpless, I suggest you don't be one of those who would make us helpless. See how simple it is?
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!