The Time is Now

For those who haven't already, see this Scott Beiser editorial cartoon.

From his blog, Beiser writes, "News of the systematic gun confiscations in New Orleans hit me like a 2x4 in the face. I knew this day was coming sooner or later but I had hoped it would be later. But it's here now."

Late last week, I couldn't help but think of Claire Wolfe's famous quote: "America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards." Has it now time to shoot the bastards? In response to the gun confiscation, Ms. Wolfe writes, "Time to keep our own counsel and prepare.I've always cringed at the expression 'Claire Wolfe time.' But from now on I'll never argue with anyone who says the time is already here. The only question now is how to be effective. But it's now absolutely imperative to find the way."

Obviously, I'd rather we all just live peacefully to an old age among family and friends. I certainly do not want to get arrested, let alone get into violent confrontation with the government. But I do predict two things:

1. Things are going to get worse before they get better; it's just impossible to predict how. Maybe an unprovoked nuclear strike against Iran, maybe the government will actually round up leftists and other "anti-Americans" just as the radio talk show hosts desire. I don't know. I do know that last week was the "last straw" for me; within the next few years we will see the "last straw" for tens of millions of Americans - but probably not a majority of them.

2. Whether it be marches on Washington, strikes, a massive tax protest, an uprising at one of the major party conventions, or something violent, politics will be confrontational. No more bickering, no more attempts to persuade, no more compromises.

Nothing can be taken for granted anymore. Being optimistic for the long-term prospects of liberty is like a German dissenter in 1935 being optimistic in the "long term." He'd have been correct; the Nazis disappeared and his country has done quite well. But his was not the time to establish a German Institute for Liberty or some such thing. He didn't have the luxury; whatever he sought to build would certainly be destroyed in a few years. Nor could he afford to squabble with other anti-Nazis who disagreed with him on taxes or monetary policy or whatever. His options were to fight the Nazis then and there, or flee the country.

I think we are similarly short on time. Liberty's enemies in America must be confronted and defeated soon - now. Even though liberty's friends appear to be few in number. Repeating Claire, "The only question now is how to be effective."