No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the <American government> for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has the <American government> any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the <government> have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last <four> years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the the tyrannical hands of the<agencies and Congress> Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long contending--if we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a <police officer> shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me-

give me liberty or give me death!

-Patrick Henry 1775

We're all feeling like shit, I get that. What you have to understand is your moral obligation to your ideals. I thought this was the hill to die on? Where did that rebellious spirit go? You can't say you're a patriot and then just give up on the country because "they won" that's not how it works. Patriots don't give up their nation, despite whatever the opposition is doing.

Quit thinking big picture, the worlds a shithole. The broader your scope the worse everything gets, so focus on whats immediately around you and figure out how to disrupt the status quo.

Its not about changing the world, its about resisting control.

I don't care how small your fangs are, because they can still bite. And so long as you have teeth, its your duty as a FREE AMERICAN to bite back. Call out and mock the lemmings in masks. Local cucked politicians doing a meet and greet? Heckle them. Somewhere with heavy foot traffic? Make an asphalt mosaic. Lots of empty wall space? Fill it with posters. Multi-level shopping mall? How about a big drop banner attached with some balloons? Maybe some bathroom stall poetry. Get a couple bucks in change and tape a picture inside newspaper boxes. Get creative with padlocks or zipties. Pre-paid envelopes? Pick an address and send them a rude haiku. Bang a drum! Walk down the road and sing like a complete madman! I know we're a diverse crowd here, different lifestyles, different generations, different everything, but understand that you have to be unconquerable. I'm not trying to get anyone here to lead a charge or put themselves out there, but what I'm trying to say is that you are never powerless, because no matter how bad it gets, you can be a terrific nuisance. And the dull hum of a few individuals sounds a hell of alot like a roar with a few thousand. Everyone talks about civil disobedience, but alot of people are gun-shy about actually disobeying. You don't need cameras, you don't need followers, you don't need upvotes, you just need some spare time and a desire to fuck with things. Whatever comes next, be it next week, next year, or the next decade- bite back, no matter how small your fangs are. Because so long as you don't let them take your spirit, then they'll never actually have the satisfaction of victory.

Anyway thanks for coming to my TED talk. You're all very fine people.

Been lurking forever, found myself glued to the site the last 2 months, probably still gon' lurk, but I'm making myself official now damnit.

Quick story as how I've made it to this point:

Softcore centrist and working class poor punker for my adult life. I've been told one too many times that being punk means I can't act conservative, that being white means I'm an oppressor, and that being a patriot means I'm a fascist. I got red pilled hard back in 2015 when I was attacked by former friends for daring to say gay marriage is not a Constitutional issue and should never have been passed by the SCOTUS. It made me realize that communication had been borked and the church of liberalism is a disease.

GUESS WHO I VOTED FOR IN 2016.

Had reservations at first, I admit. Its not easy voting for a reality TV star, but I'm happy to say that I've been on the Trump train ever since. Just donated 100$ to the campaign and got my 6 foot flag behind me where I'd be cleaning my guns if it wasn't for that tragic boating accident. We in this pedes, I'm gonna headbang till I get the taste of sanctimonious asshole out of my mouth. I can never listen to Biafra again.