In Defense of No Fear
When Did So Many Americans Lose Their Courage?
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." – President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
FDR’s words ring true today, now more than ever. Our nation faces the greatest existential threat to the core of its very soul. The forces of fascism have hijacked the American Experiment and are driving it straight into the grave.
Many of us are battling so hard, sacrificing, sacrificing, sacrificing. Draining our limited resources – not just financially, but psychologically, spiritually. I personally know people who can’t pay their bills, who are on the verge of bankruptcy, who have physically worn down, who are drained, who are spending their retirement savings.
We all expend these valuable personal resources in the pursuit of liberty, in the pursuit of freedom, in the pursuit of a better future for those still young, for those in their golden years, for those still working. And for those not yet born.
This is not a new fight. It is a fight that our forbearers took to the fascists on the beaches of Normandy. In the freezing cold of the Ardennes. At Salerno, Anzio, Nijmegen, Bastogne.
This Is Not the Time to Wither
But…
Too many decent freedom-loving Americans are afraid, still. Afraid to stand up. Afraid to say this is wrong. Afraid to fight back. Afraid to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
This is not the time to wither. This is not the time to wilt.
As a nation, we’ve faced brutal setbacks before. Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Wake Island. But we persevered. Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery that George Washington used to fortify Dorchester Heights above Boston, forcing the British to evacuate the city. The Crossing of the Delaware. The Civil War.
Those Americans did not cower in the shadows. Those Americans did not acquiesce to evil. Those Americans did not give up hope.
As FDR believed, the antidote to fear is bold, decisive action. In a word, courage.
I don’t know when so many Americans of this time lost their courage. It just seems so foreign to me. From the youngest age, we sing about the land of the free, the home of the brave. But the song falls flat today. We need more people in the chorus. A lot more.
I’m not a big guy. I’m old, with bad ankles, too much of a gut, tinnitus, vision that isn’t what it used to be, and that wasn’t much.
I’m not a veteran “warfighter.” I served my time in the Army. I always say that as a soldier, I was a pretty good photojournalist. (Not great.)
As a Cold Warrior, I never had to face enemy fire. I don’t know the toll that combat takes on a person. And I can’t imagine, either. Only those who experience it know.
But…
When it came time to serve my country again, I stepped up. I’m not talking about my time in the Army. I’m talking about earlier this year, when the enemy of the people was somehow sworn in as President.
Like many of you, I too sat at home fretting — wondering what I could do, trying to figure out how I could help fight the evil looming over our land. How could I make a difference?
Take the First Step
The first step is to step up. Show up for a protest. Talk to the people who are there, day in and day out, fighting, fighting, fighting. Ask how you can help. Bring your unique skillset to the front. Mine are writing and mobilizing. I knew about the first one. The second one grew on me quickly.
I have had several people tell me they admire what I am doing. But then they go on to say they have their own reasons for not stepping up themselves:
I won’t make a difference.
Nothing’s going to change.
Grandkids.
Work.
Pickleball.
(OK, that last one was facetious…maybe.)
None of my many new friends aligned in opposition to this administration are in this fight for anyone’s admiration. We don’t consider ourselves heroes. We’re mostly average Janes and Joes who decided we couldn’t let this happen to our country.
That it was time to stand up. Time to fight back. Time to reclaim the Lincolnian ideal of a “more perfect union.”
One that stands for right, and not just might.
It is time for all Americans to summon the courage to stop this madness. It won’t be easy. It won’t be a light switch. It won’t happen overnight…or even next week, or next month. The road will be long, there will be lots of bumps along the way, a lot of detours and retreats before we can advance again to reclaim the soul of our country.
But the only way we can stop these evil people from prevailing is for all those who are still standing on the sidelines, who know that what is happening to our country is wrong, who know that this administration is pure evil personified…
To stand up and be counted.
Show No Fear
While many Americans are familiar with FDR’s quote above, they may not be aware of his clarion call that followed those first 10 words:
“…nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”
It’s not too late. On October 18th, we will take to the streets again for the second No Kings protest. Millions hit the streets for the first No Kings protest, in June. You will not be alone when you come out. I will guarantee that.
Show no fear. Give no quarter to these forces of evil. Do not surrender your soul.
Your support is essential to achieve victory over American fascism.
Both partie are equally fascist. Time to stop begging (voting) for a master, or you will keep getting one.
I'm not sure if you have any power or control over the 50501 Veterans Facebook group but I have been waiting to be approved for a very long time and I know other veterans have as well. Do you know what's going on?