Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Civil Disobedience Starts as Citizens Storm ‘Barrycades’
Townhall.com ^ | October 7, 2013 | John Ransom

Posted on 10/07/2013 3:47:01 AM PDT by Kaslin

The Greatest Generation came through again.

Faced with a weak, childish and irresponsible tyranny, with some of them in wheelchairs, the old soldiers went over Obama’s Barrycades with the easy nonchalance of people who have been there before.

It was a group of Mississippi gulf-coast World War II veterans, outraged by administration contempt on closing the World War II monument, who were flown up via the Honor Flight Network, a private organization that they say was “created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials.”

Their memorials, we should always emphasize.

It's something politicians in D.C. forgot too long ago, with the possible exception of Barack Obama, who never knew it to begin with.

Obama’s idea of sacrifice is sitting down with other duly-elected officials and hammering out a budget that works for everyone.

Or perhaps his idea of sacrifice is giving a speech about the shutdown without a teleprompter.

It certainly is a sacrifice for the rest of us, with or without a teleprompter.

Obama Against Strikes

“They fought a war and flew in at dawn from Mississippi,” writes the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, “so a few barricades provoked little more than shrugs from the 91 World War II veterans who crossed political lines Tuesday to walk and wheel around their memorial on the historic National Mall.”

The Republican National Committee offered to pay expenses to “keep the monument open.”

That offer was promptly rejected by the president.

If you’ve never been there, you might not know that the World War II Memorial stands on the National Mall, midway between the Lincoln Memorial and Congress. It was built primarily with private donations.

Not since president Herbert Hoover expelled the Bonus Marchers from government land in July of 1932 on his way to being defeated by Franklin Roosevelt has a government looked so ungrateful to veterans.

There is no gate to go through, no way to “close” it, except by erecting barricades. Like all the monuments on the mall, it was designed to encourage people to wonder through it without hindrance, kind of in line with that crazy American idea called “freedom.”

But that didn’t stop the administration from trying to strengthen the defenses.

Because the next brilliant chess move for Obama administration was to kick about 60 families out of the Lake Mead National Recreation area who have homes there. These families made the terrible mistake of leasing land from the government.

When you and I lease land, we have to stick to the lease. When the government does it, apparently they can kick you out when they want.

“I wouldn’t call it a government shutdown,” Bob Hitchcock, 71, a homeowner who leases land from the government told the Las Vegas Review-Tribune. “I’d call it a government meltdown. If my kids ever acted like these politicians are acting — it’s probably not politically correct to say this anymore — but I’d beat the crap out of them, then send them to their rooms.”

Hancock points out that during the last government shutdown, in 1995 under Clinton, leaseholders weren’t asked to leave federal land.

Boaters, families and others from the community plan on protesting the move with a boat parade down the Las Vegas Strip.

“Lake Mead is closed during the shutdown,” reports local KTNV TV, “and boaters are preparing for a different type of protest. Dozens of people will be towing their boats down the Las Vegas Strip on Sunday night to stage a protest against Lake Mead being closed. They said there is no reason for the government to close the lake since tax dollars, park permits and registration fees have already paid to keep the place open.”

But that didn't stop Obama from trying to close the ocean too.

As our own Michael Schaus wrote on Sunday:

Over 1,100 square miles of ocean has been declared off limits to the public in the Florida Bay. Apparently, unknown to most Americans, allowing boats to meander into open water is a cost that has proven to be unsustainable in the event of a government shutdown. Well. . . At least that’s according to the National Park Service.

Earlier this week, Jon Stewart, the sometimes comedian and full time flack for the progressives called the government shutdown a “catastrophe%$.”

And it has been for Obama so far.

“It’s a cheap way to deal with the situation,” an angry Park Service ranger in Washington told the Washington Times of the administration harassment. “We’ve been told to make life as difficult for people as we can. It’s disgusting.”

Obama’s has forgotten what no president ought to forget: The chief executive is the most recognized figure in any political crisis. He’s expected to lead, not pout. In any battle with Congress that has a negative impact on citizens, the president who does not lead risks looking childish.

American‘s are reacting as adults are supposed to react to a child's temper tantrum.

We’re ignoring it.

And here’s a rule no patriot ought not forget: When the chief executive tries to enforce rules no one will follow, and everyone protests, he looks not just weak, but wrong as well.

Take courage from our soldiers, storm the barrycades, return to your homes, and sail on the ocean.

The government's overreaction is the very thing that will save our country.

There is only one answer to this weak, childish tyranny: Disobedience.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; US: District of Columbia
KEYWORDS: barrycades; governmentshutdown; govtshutdown; lakemead; nationalparkservice; worldwarllmemorial; wwiimemorial
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-96 last
To: Aevery_Freeman; GatorGirl; knarf; seeker41
WWJD

Seriously?? Jesus cleansed the money changers out of the temple. A pathetic attempt to invoke Christ when this is a political fight won't gain you any points.

Jesus taught that those who followed him would have to give up everything, family and even their lives, so a job isn't much of a request.

My concern is how many will just roll over, too many Americans take your view and won't fight for what is right.

81 posted on 10/07/2013 10:14:21 AM PDT by reaganaut (I don't do hopey-changey. I do ouchy-bleedy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Rodamala
Just doing my part...

Good work. If this keeps up all week I think I'll wander about and see what I can do to "underscore the message"....

82 posted on 10/07/2013 10:17:40 AM PDT by no-s (when democracy is displaced by tyranny, the armed citizen still gets to vote)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 75 | View Replies]

To: vette6387

“Blaming the underlings is more than misguided. We need to make government officials issuing the orders answer for their orders.”

I guess we will simply have to disagree. When you have lawlessness, it is implemented by the low-level people. But they are physically present to do the enforcement. They need to either refuse to obey the unlawful orders they have been given, or suffer the consequences.


I would hope all are agreeing both are a problem, not just one.


83 posted on 10/07/2013 10:22:53 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: Aevery_Freeman
You want to pick a fight, go stand up to the state troopers preventing people from viewing Mt. Rushmore.

Where did you get that asinine idea? It isn't the state troopers or even local LEOs, it is the NPS rangers. The SD Governor is ticked over this.

84 posted on 10/07/2013 10:23:05 AM PDT by reaganaut (I don't do hopey-changey. I do ouchy-bleedy.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: from occupied ga

“Sure they have choices.”

We all have choices. I’m sure everyone on this thread calling on these rangers to quit are leading the way by not paying their federal taxes or otherwise obeying federal law.

If not, to borrow the silly, over-the-top rhetoric being tossed around here, you’re a NAZI, a collaborater and war criminal fit only for a Nuremburg type trial. Silly.

I am not condoning bad bahavior by the NPS, simply trying to point out how easy it is to point fingers and demand others sacrifice while ignoring your choices.


85 posted on 10/07/2013 11:55:03 AM PDT by Owl558 (Those who remember George Santayana are doomed to repeat him)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut

As is Scott Walker - the scenario I conflated SD with, my apologies for being so asinine.


86 posted on 10/07/2013 12:39:55 PM PDT by Aevery_Freeman (Tried to tell 'em Affirmative Action was a bad idea...Now look what happened!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 84 | View Replies]

To: BwanaNdege

No problem...

FReegards


87 posted on 10/07/2013 1:24:07 PM PDT by seeker41 (take your country back by whatever means necessary)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: Vermont Lt

No worries;^)


88 posted on 10/07/2013 1:25:10 PM PDT by seeker41 (take your country back by whatever means necessary)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: reaganaut

Well said friend...


89 posted on 10/07/2013 1:25:47 PM PDT by seeker41 (take your country back by whatever means necessary)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: All
 photo ShadowPuppets1_zpsf701aaad.jpg

Help FR Continue the Conservative Fight!
Your Monthly and Quarterly Donations
Help Keep FR In the Battle!

Sponsoring FReepers are contributing
$10 Each time a New Monthly Donor signs up!
Get more bang for your FR buck!
Click Here To Sign Up Now!


90 posted on 10/07/2013 1:34:56 PM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies]

To: musicman
You are disgusting.

People's kids may come here.

Keep your s__t off the Internet.

91 posted on 10/07/2013 1:44:24 PM PDT by x
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]

To: knarf

“...for a decade and more and worked and campaigned and cried and screamed and .... we’re tired. “

I hear that but that point is slightly different than “I’m scared, I have a family”. There are seasons to life and there comes a time when a man is past busting heads and taking names. At 55 I’m not there yet but I sense it looming out there well enough.


92 posted on 10/07/2013 2:21:47 PM PDT by TalBlack (Evil doesn't have a day job.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: PeterPrinciple
18 bucks at cafe press

No, I'm not an employee

93 posted on 10/07/2013 2:45:36 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 64 | View Replies]

To: no-s

If it keeps up all week I am going back with bolt cutters. It’s entering the peak of fall foliage.


94 posted on 10/07/2013 4:52:48 PM PDT by Rodamala
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 82 | View Replies]

To: WorkingClassFilth

I’m sorry but I really don’t know.

It’s being passed around on Facebook and that’s the only resolution I’ve ever seen.

Wish I could be more help.

:(


95 posted on 10/07/2013 8:19:33 PM PDT by Salamander (Blue Oyster Cult Will Be The Soundtrack For The Revolution.....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: x
 photo othumbsuplarge.jpg

96 posted on 10/08/2013 6:44:03 AM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-96 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson