Candidate For The Iowa House Tells His Story
I am a retired, twenty year veteran of the U.S. Navy and I currently serve as Chief of Police in a rural Iowa town. I am extremely upset with the move to socialism that our federal and state legislatures keep marching towards. I am also running as an Independent candidate for the Iowa House, District 8. http://www.electshaw2010.com/
I have given a great deal of thought into the mission of the Oath keepers and I wholeheartedly agree with the “Orders We Will Not Obey.” During the course of my soul searching, I wrote the following article which has been published on several blogs. It explains the dilemma that I and other Oath Keepers face.
At What Point?
By Tom Shaw
During my twenty years of service in the U.S. Navy I lived in and visited many foreign nations. I was stationed in the Philippines during the “People’s Power” revolution and participated in a historic port visit to Shanghai, China in May, 1989, during which the Chinese took to the streets to protest the communist regime (remember Tienanmen Square?). In both cases, I always wondered, at what point did the people risk their lives to stand up against their tyrannical government. More specifically, at what point did the military and police decide to side with the people and rebel against the government.
Searching for an answer to this question is not just an academic exercise for me. Although I am retired from active duty, I am still obligated in my oath to support and defend the Constitution. In my current capacity as a Police Chief, I am sworn to uphold the law. So, at what point would I, and all others in my position, determine that the assault on our Constitution is so severe it would warrant us from disobeying laws and regulations that are clearly in violation of the powers granted by the United States Constitution?
The principles upon which our Nation was founded have been slowly eroding over time. Due in part to changing social values and a diffusion of personal responsibility, the words and philosophies of our Founding Fathers do not ring true to many of today’s citizens. Apathy, which has replaced the natural fear of government, and the ever increasing reliance upon government institutions have created a ripe environment for the growth of abusive power by our elected officials. The power of “We the People” has slowly been ceded to elected officials, which in turn, emboldens them to slowly usurp the Constitutional principles and move towards a socialist approach.
Smugness and arrogance seem to rule the political scene today. Just look at how the Tea Party protesters, who merely exercised their right to assemble and redress their grievances, were ridiculed. Recently, the Department of Homeland Security released an intelligence assessment which demonized veterans as potential domestic terrorists. The huge amount of federal borrowing in the effort to create an
economic stimulus has just enslaved our grandchildren to the government. The Iowa Supreme Court recently created a “right”, where none such existed, when it proclaimed Iowa’s law limiting marriage to one man and one woman unconstitutional.
Although it is not recognized by most, tyranny, in the form of increasing government intrusion into the citizen’s private lives eerily arches on. One day we will wake up and say, “Where have our freedoms gone?” Freedom lost will not be regained. So again, at what point during the slow transformation from a republic to a socialist state we will say, “Enough is enough.” Abraham Lincoln had the following to say during his First Inaugural Address, March 4th 1861, “This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing Government, they can exercise their “constitutional” right of amending it or their revolutionary” right to dismember or overthrow it.”
It is my greatest desire that I should never have to face the decision that our forefather’s had to make. One cannot comprehend the gut-wrenching choice that was laid before them when they had finally reached “their point.” What courage and bravery they showed when they risked life and property to stand against tyranny. With the growing fear and distrust of government at all levels, will there be an incident which sparks a nationwide rebellion? If so, at what point does the military and police side with “We the People” and determine that defending the Constitution overrides protecting the sitting government? I pray that America continues to use the peaceful political process to work out its differences and that I may never have to determine “At What Point.”
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September 13th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Tom,
First off, I sincerely want to thank you for your service to our nation. Secondly, I totally understand the opening question in your article; At What Point? I wrestle with the same question. Many of my friends and associates do as will. I feel that determining your own personal “line in the sand” is what each of us must do.
Thank you are joining our organization and taking a stand with us.
Semper Fi,
Rand Cardwell
September 13th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Abraham Lincoln had the following to say during his First Inaugural Address, March 4th 1861, “This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing Government, they can exercise their “constitutional” right of amending it or their revolutionary” right to dismember or overthrow it.”
HA!!
September 13th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I grew up in the Midwest, in a very small town that was surrounded by farms. At that time, we walked through town in Winter to the surrounding fields to go hunting after school. We carried our shotguns over our shoulder(unloaded). I am much older now and spent a career in the Air Force. I am a very responsible gun owner and still enjoy hunting today. However, I can not carry my gun through the town where I grew up without being arrested due to the changes in our country and laws that have been enacted.
I said all of the previous statements to say this. I believe there is a time coming when the line will be drawn in the sand for us…then the choice will be ours. Our country is not as it was years ago. I hope we respond with a true American heart and do what is best for our country…protect the people, protect our freedoms. God and country. God bless us all.
September 13th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
It’s great to have you here with us Tom.Thanks for the service and time. I think it’s wonderful that yourself and so many other great Conservative minded people are running in the 2010 elections on independent platforms. I think Independents finally might have strong support this time around.
Best of Luck!
September 13th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I have been talking to many people in the small Texas town that I live in. One of my so called friends today; I grew up with him, said that he wanted no part in my treason. I was flabbergasted. I was telling him of what was going on.
He said that I was to intense. I will admit, I am intense, but a traitor? Treason?
The penalty of which is death… I wonder now if he has reported me to DHS, or the local law enforcement. I should say the local criminal gang of 4th Amendment usurping thugs.
He also said that I was “tripping him out”, and he doesnt want to hear about it anymore, he just cant see the Government doing such things to the people.
I really hope this is an emotional response, otherwise there are going to be many people we know and love that will turn on us.
September 14th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Welcome, Tom.
We all wrestle with that question. Each citizen has to draw their own line in the sand. My PERSONAL line (don’t mistake this for an official OK position) in the sand is when unconstitutional laws are passed, I will ignore them. When armed men are sent to enforce those laws, I will resist, as necessary. If I survive that assault, I will then go after the treasonous SOB’s that sent armed men to my door. I don’t concern myself with what others choose to do. I only know what I will do. I won’t spend one minute of my life as a prisoner, or a slave.
I have to believe that the men they send will be mercenaries, or those who have chosen to violate their Oaths and decided to obey unlawful orders. They should resign before they betray their nation and the Constitution they swore to support and defend.
Again, that is my PERSONAL decision. I support the Oath Keepers approach as the best course to avoid that worst case scenario laid out above. If we can reach and inspire our military and police to honor their Oaths, we get our Republic restored, without the inconvenience of a civil war.
September 14th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Tom,
Thank you for your service and the conscious thought you have given to the What if scenario.
We all have taken our oath and I’d bet that those of us that are older never gave a second thought to that scenario. When I took my oath our enemies were foreign and we knew it.
Times have changed along with attitudes of what the constitution stands for. Over the years the governments’ willingness to amend it when convenient has led our citizens to one of the greatest divisions I can think of in our peace time history and yet we are a country at war.
As each new member joins I pray that there will never be a day when a police officer or service member has to make that decision to take on their brothers in arms in our defense.
For those that may obey an unlawful order I pray they have the courage to recognize what is unlawful and stand up. Many will follow their commanders like lambs to slaughter.
My 20 years on active duty tells me there are many serving that have no idea what they really promised.
September 14th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Welcome and keep up the good work
September 14th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Welcome to Oath Keepers brother! I would be proud to stand with you.
September 16th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Thank you Tom, and my heart and spirit feels the angst that I “hear” in the words you wrote. I too am aghast when I consider all of this. It is horrendous just thinking about the reality of how far this can go. I pray it doesn’t.
Just like most of us in Oath Keepers, we have all been rudely awakened to the plight of our United States of America, our republic. I pray that God protects us all, that the schemes will be exposed and harshly dealt with and that the evil be rooted out. How that is to happen, only He knows.
I choose to stand, I have drawn the line, and I am not going back. It is sad, and very frightening when you have to be straight with your five year old daughter, trying to be as sensitive, wise, and compassionate to her needs and developmental understanding as possible, that no matter what happens, to KNOW that this life isn’t all there is, that there is more, and that there is hope in Christ.
I realize we come from all walks of life, from different spiritual backgrounds and beliefs, but this is where I come from and where my hope lies.
Oh, I pray things don’t get any crazier. But I am a true American, and like you and most of us, have taken the Oath in complete coherence, and I encourage you in your stand for our Constitution. Again, thank you for joining, and welcome.