The Face of Freedom. Benjamin Vance

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СКАЧАТЬ Therefore, not many groups coordinate with one another. That is one thing I’m trying to promote; communication, coordination and political voice. Without political voice, our government has no reason to fear us. Divide and conquer is easy for any government.”

      He was getting on his high-horse again---he did not want to go any further so he continued with, “I will try to outline a plan for all of us like-minded patriots on Saturday night. Right now I will answer questions if anyone has one.”

      He was met with stone cold silence. He knew how the power struggle worked so he faked starting to sit down.

      Immediately he was confronted with, “What’s your name?” from Lazenby. Several others at his table smirked and agreed, getting courage from Mr. Lazenby.

      “My name is of no consequence. My message is the most important thing I can provide. I’m just a man with a message and a dream. My dream is that we can take back America from the politicians, Political Action Committees, and plutocrats that have Lady Liberty in a strangle hold. My dream is that we can unite all of the Patriot groups in the U.S. into one politically cohesive unit that will force our government to take notice and make citizens unafraid to voice their opinions.”

      “Why should we believe a man that has no name and wants to build his own political power?” Lazenby shot back.

      The walker thought for a moment ... just enough to make Lazenby think he’d hit a weak spot, then, “Mr. Lazenby, a man with no name cannot be elected to any legitimate position, political or otherwise. How can one aspire to greatness without a form of identification? Also, how can government spies locate and identify a man without a name? Yes, I have fingerprints on file and I have a name. However, I do not want my history to taint or infer credibility to any efforts of mine or accomplishment of yours.”

      It took Lazenby several heartbeats to understand and formulate a response, “So, you’re telling me that you could be an escaped convict?”

      “Yes, I suppose I could be. But, I could also be an ex-SEAL or Green Beret who’s fed up with our leadership. I could also be a college professor, scientist, or doctor.”

      There was a pregnant pause. Then Julie broke the silence,“Are you going to tell us what we’re doing wrong?”

      “No Julie, I can only tell you what you’re doing right and make suggestions about your defensive positions, your communications and how to plan for the future. I leave everything in your hands. Everyone here is educated and able to determine right from wrong. Beliefs; convictions in life are usually real simple. It is in the dying for your beliefs that it gets complicated. Your government thinks that no one wants to die for their beliefs nowadays. I don’t accept that.

      “If they believe that many of us are willing to die for our freedom ... our freedom ... not their undeclared wars, then they’ll stop stealing our freedoms and start working for us again. In order to accomplish this, we need millions of like minds. We need millions of lions to guard and lead the sheep, and threaten the wolves. By joining groups like yours, members let it be known they want to be lions. They need to be given that spark, that impetus, that courage, to be willing to die like many of our forefathers did. Strength comes in numbers. Hopefully, none of us will have to die, but we must be willing to.”

      It was house-mouse silent for at least fifteen seconds. He re-thought his comments and waited. One brave young man stood up and looking directly at the walker started to clap his hands and shouted “God Bless America, and God bless men like you walker.”

      Others began to applaud; mostly young men and women. “These young people will save our country,” he thought. He almost forgot and tried to smile. He just looked at each one and then at the table. He looked toward Julie and caught her standing, applauding and smiling at him. After Julie stood up her father took the cue, stood up and took the walker’s hand like he was posing for a photo-op. He was!

      The walker had resolved that with digital face recognition technology and high speed finger print retrieval it wouldn’t be long before Washington knew who he was and would attempt to discredit him. He considered it a foregone conclusion. He was just trying to get as much done as possible before that happened. He always had doubts about his mission, but he also felt the urgency that came with it. He had to talk to as many as possible before … what? Even if he was identified, perhaps his intent would still be considered genuine. After all, if the government tried to discredit him would it matter to the people he valued? Perhaps it would actually increase his credibility if the militia groups knew.

      Ridge Parker rose to the occasion and asked if there were any more questions. One young man raised his hand and asked what plutocrats meant. The walker apologized for using that language and told him it meant “rich ruling class or governance by the wealthy”. The young man thanked him and sat down. There were no more questions. Ridge Parker then called for ice cream and everyone got up to take part. It evolved into an old fashioned ice cream social.

      As everyone got their homemade ice cream, they started to talk in clutches and groups, gradually drifting to the walker and Parker, or the Lazenby’s. Soon the walker moved toward the Lazenby’s and was met with a firm handshake by everyone in his group. No one tried to pull him of balance and no one tried to crush his hand. They were all well behaved!

      Ralph Lazenby asked several general questions about the number of groups in Montana. The walker did not know. No one knew, but the walker told him he kept finding them via relatives or associations. It was difficult. He had talked to seven groups in Utah. Some were polygamists, but were also patriots. There seemed to be more cohesion in Utah now among the seven groups. He noted that one group maintained no weapons, other than M-14 rifles. Every adult carried one and was intimately familiar with operation and maintenance. Those groups were also finding other groups and making them feel welcome. It had all been due to the walker’s influence, but he would never say it.

      Lazenby was no fool. He asked why the walker didn’t just drive, or have someone drive him. He was told that it would be too easy to be waylaid or get someone else in trouble. He related the story about the Highway Patrolman in Wyoming. It seemed to satisfy everyone. They just shook their heads at the probable injustice.

      Lazenby changed the subject, “I hear you carry a weapon. Would you like to try out our range tomorrow? It’s great, for around here. We have a twenty five meter, up to a three hundred yard range. The targets are automatic. We even have some lateral movers, if we can get ’em to work.”

      “I’d love to shoot some. I haven’t had a free day in so long. I seem to always make it to a compound on Friday evening or Saturday morning and have just enough time to move on; the day after my presentation.” He lied. He didn’t like to, but here he was, at this point in time for a reason. Ridge Parker was the main reason, but Lazenby needed further study. He added, “What time do you want to meet?”

      He and Lazenby and about thirty others agreed to meet at about 4:00 p.m. the next day, since the sun would be at their backs, just right to see the targets properly, and most people could get off work and arrive by then. The walker wondered how they would do with the sun in their eyes and the targets firing back.

      Conversations continued after the Lazenby’s left with their entourage. The walker noticed that some of the group managed to straggle back in with the excuse of wanting more ice cream. He had to admit that it was awfully good. It really took one back to childhood. The conversations were loud and friendly. The walker asked Parker about the range. Parker told him it usually worked, but no one really took care of it between weekend meetings. Julie volunteered that her brother would arrive Friday СКАЧАТЬ