The following is from a 2006 newsletter I wrote during my time as a Chapter Leader in the now-defunct pro-American activist group, ProtestWarrior. It was intended to encourage members to participate in an upcoming event. (Note: People may disagree over some of the issues the organization dealt with, but it was always on the American side.) May this offer encouragement to Patriots today when the time comes to act.
I really enjoy the now-cancelled sit-com, "Grace Under Fire." I'm not exactly sure why-- leading actress Grett Butler is not that good looking (though she does have nice legs lol), and the stories (like the actress) are far from politically conservative. Maybe being set here in the great State of Missouri has something to do with it. In any case, it is interesting and entertaining.
In concise terms, "Grace" (Butler) is a divorced mother whose ex-husband is a recovering alcoholic. In one particular episode, Grace becomes sorta-addicted to painkillers, using them as an escape from her life. She finally comes to her senses, and it is her AA-member ex who stands by her, as it were. He offers her a small poker chip, explaining (paraphrasing from memory), "This is the chip for one day of sobriety they gave me rwhen I joined AA. I have a one-month chip, a one-year chip, I even have a two-year chip. But this is the one I always carry with me, because it's the hardest chip I ever earned."
The character makes a point. Sometimes, when facing something new or intimidating, it is that first time doing it that is the most difficult. This can go for facing life apart from chemical dependency, and it can go for such activities as making a public stand against the Leftist and Islamofascist" threats to our country.
My first time at this, long before I had even heard of ProtestWarrior.com, was when I drove past a "face-off"--good guys on one side, bad guys on the other. I found a place to park and went to join the good guys. I made a very chinsy sign, and contributed to the stand.
That initial action--specifically, just going up to these people standing for their country--was difficult.
However, the first time I had to pull a "solo" action--stand in opposition to the bad guys alone--was a bit intimidating. True confession time: When I first began regular counter-protests, I would make a point to get there a little late, waiting for someone else to show up. Eventually though, I was forced by circumstances to pull a solo. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, sign in hand, alone against a united collective was, to say the least, intimidating. But what did I find? I found that my experience in the less-stressing multiple-person actions had prepared me for facing an outnumbering foe with large banners and seemingly a lot of support from passersby. And, more directly to the point of this article, the longer I stood there, the easier it became. It was that first step that was the most difficult.
My anxiety had been resolved, by taking that first step, aided by the past participation of my pro-American, pro-Troop cohorts.
The point here with regard to PW actions is two-fold. First, each of us can and must face our anxiety, and second, each of us can draw strength from our cohorts in this regard, and--to be less selfish--give strength to one another. The more people who make it to the actions, the easier it will be on all.
So, with February 1 fast approaching, I hope each of you will make every possible effort (and perhaps a few impossible ones) to participate in at least one RAID action. As one experienced at this, who has experienced both the wrath of traitors and the teary-eyed gratitude of military family members, I can say it to those with anxiety should take heart in the fact that it will get easier with time.
It is taking that first step that is the key. And it will truly be "the hardest chip you ever earned."
