In the last catalogue a page was devoted to my
issuance of a "CALL TO ARMS". The call was not for an action with arms,
but an action to defend our arms. Essentially, the best way to keep our
"Right To Keep And Bear Arms" is not with hot lead, but with pencil lead.
Letters written to public officials, accompanied by phone calls and followed
up with attendance at the voting booth is the most effective and most plausible
means of defending our freedoms. Not just the Second Amendment, but the
entire Constitution and the liberties, freedoms and rights set forth therein.
Friends, it is advisable to be prepared should trouble
come to us. Keeping a few weapons, ammunition, some food, water and other
emergency supplies on hand is highly advisable. But let's not barricade
ourselves in our home/fortress and wait. We must and can take the initiative.
We can fight in the arena of American politics with our phone calls, letters
and ultimately our votes. The fight will be long and hard, but we can and
will win if we "stick to our guns" (pens?). The steps described below can
be highly effective in fending off, then routing and eventually defeating
those bent on destroying our freedoms.
The process is quite simple, takes relatively little time,
and can be both interesting and rewarding. There are essentially four steps:
1) Educate; 2) Contribute; 3) Vote; and; 4) Communicate. Let's examine
each point.
1) EDUCATE: Ourselves and our friends/relatives regarding
who is on "our side" and who is on "their side". Listen to television and
radio programs. Talk to any candidate in person any time you can. It is
nice to know they are only people, and we can speak to them like any other
person. Makes nice party conversation to say "Last week I spoke with Senator
Smith about..." Read newspaper and magazine articles on candidates. Many
state Rifle & Pistol clubs offer invaluable information--don't forget
the NRA.
2) CONTRIBUTE: Money, time and support to those candidates
on "our side." If you cannot afford $20.00 for a pro-gun candidate, how
will you afford $10,000 for a fine because the pistol/rifle/shotgun you
own has been banned? "I'll bury my guns." The plastic tubing and materials
needed for burial will cost more than $20.00. Don't forget to contribute
to pro-gun organizations like the NRA and your state or local Rifle &
Pistol clubs.
Time and support can be as little as a phone call to friends
or relatives to let them know a candidate's position on critical issues.
I like to think in three's. If I call three friends, and they each call
three friends, and each of their friends call three friends --- in a week
we can blanket the State.
3) VOTE: If you are over eighteen and not registered to
vote, you should be flogged. A friend(?) of mine did not register to vote
until he was some 31 years of age---about two years ago. This in part a
result of my badgering and constant criticism. He is pro-gun and pro-freedom.
So what? Without the willingness to vote, his views were meaningless.
Freedom brings with it many responsibilities, not the
least of which is defending that freedom from assault. The first and easiest
defense is to VOTE. If you are unwilling to fight in the voting booth,
you are deceiving yourself to think you will fight in the streets.
Additionally, an uninformed vote is worse than no vote.
Go back to point one, EDUCATE.
4) COMMUNICATE: Once elected, officials on the local,
state and federal levels must know what you want of them. A letter is best,
several letters from several persons better. A phone call, especially on
the local or state level, can be very effective. Write about a variety
of issues important to you. Cite specific
