Category: American Revolution

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: Mount Horeb

3/22/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Mount Horeb

Part XIII of XIII

“… How’s this?”
“Feels like home.”
“Welcome home Gus.”
“Welcome home Johnny.”
“There wasn’t a horse before.”
“No?”
“It was people conveying the man.”
“Was there a child?”
“Yes.”
“Slave?”
“Represented.”
“Slavery, it means both: slaves and slavers.”
“Yup.”
“You bring the flag Reb?”
“I thought you did.”
“Not me.”
“Well then.”
“Well then what?”
“Let’s rally ‘round it.”
“Mount Horeb style.”
“Worked before.”
“Did.”

Thanks All!

*Next Up: Usurpation Day 2019.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: To Prevent Hogs Running At Large

3/15/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Burgess

Part XII of XIII

“… See here?”
“George the Burgess.”
“Elected 24 July 1758.”
“Who’s on the horse Johnny?”
“The founder of Winchester.”
“They all look happy.”
“They do.”
“Reb?”
“Yeah.”
“Says George: ‘poured out barrels of rum, wine and beer on Election Day.’”
“A rather traditional way of electioneering Gus.”
“Just it’s George getting them drunk.”
“Winner.”
“Loyalist.”
“True.”
“When did George marry Martha?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Winchester

“In 1759.”
“Ah hah!”
“Ah hah what Gus?”
“George begins his rebellion.”
“With Martha you mean?”
“Frontier George becomes Tidewater George.”
“From loyalist to revolutionary.”
“Martha.”
“Like a fulcrum?”
“Yes.”
“I get it.”
“What’s with the hogs Johnny?”
“George’s first contribution to new laws.”
“Keeping hogs from running at-large in Winchester?”
“To protect the drinking water.”
“Environmental George.”
“Shall we move on Yank?”
“Mount Horeb maybe?”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 22 March and the winter series finale, Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: Mount Horeb.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere On Our Way: Tock

1/25/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank SOOW: Tock

Part V of XIII

“… How’s this?”
“Better.”
“That’s the East Woods Gus.”
“The preacher Reb, Comrade Lucas.”
“Yeah.”
“He was young.”
“Born in 1840.”
“And from Illinois.”
“Boone County.”
“Lucas was in my company, Company C.”
“An officer, lieutenant.”
“Then appointed Regimental Chaplain.”
“Right.”
“And who was Sumter?”
“From the fort?”
“Yeah.”
“South Carolinian.”
“Revolutionary?”
“Comrade of Morgan’s.”
“Does the light seem different Reb?”
“It does.”
“Did you hear the Tock?”
“No … though we didn’t hear the Tick either.”
“We just noticed it.”
“Right.”
“How to check?”
“Let’s go back to the cannon and see.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 1 February 2019 and part VI of the winter series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere On Our Way: Days Between.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020 Update: Movement

2/1/2018

Movement 2020

Movement is a noun.

1. An act of changing physical location or position or of having this changed.

2. A group of people working together to advance their shared political, social and artistic values.

*Next Up: A commentary on 1 March, We the People and Others: What Would Jesus Do… Deport the Catholics?

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020: In High Spirits, a Seven-Twenty Preamble

7/19/2017

The twenty dollar right in the US Constitution, Amendment VII

One gathers what another spills /
We the People /
Show some spirit /
For constitutionalism /
For the law that makes We the People We the People /
Every ten years

If you care to, ask yourself what you are doing for We the People? What part are you playing?

If the answer is nothing (no part) and that’s okay with you, then okay.

If the answer is nothing and that’s not okay, then do something to support the Constitution, our supreme law and the thing that makes us We the People, constitutionally reborn every ten years (enumeration / census).

Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 and the 7th Amendment are numerical avenues of approach for those of constitutional spirit ~ a spirit for constitutionalism. One could start by asking representatives (at all levels) if they support the US Constitution; they’ll say yes, of course, so then ask them the next question, the one about representing We the People by the “thirty Thousand” ratio or the one about the twenty dollars in the 7th Amendment: that will begin a conversation. If they support constitutionalism they are obliged (by citizenship and law) to help; if they don’t help, then they aren’t supporting the Constitution. If you don’t support the US Constitution, are you even still American? If so, how?

The representation usurpation ends when We the People want it to: if not now, what more do We need to see?

The Preamble, where our ideals are shown in high spirits and fulfillment waiting, is a We the People rally point; it reads like a dream, perhaps a dream we need to dream again …

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Tomorrow is 7/20; perhaps make a moment for Amendment VII, establishing Justice and insuring domestic Tranquility; read something, share something, or discuss with someone the implications of such a right hiding in plain sight (in the US Bill of Rights) and nearly 100 percent ignored.

For ourselves and our Posterity.

*Next Up: Friday 11 August and some receptor science ~ The Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine: Tobacco (Nicotine) Soldiers Soldiering.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020: Virtual Representation and the People

6/21/2017

“Regulations Lately Made Concerning the Colonies”

The lead-in was the title for a 1765 British Empire executive order concerning the colonies; this would have pertained to all colonies, not just the North American ones.

The regulations stated: “All British subjects … are virtually represented in Parliament; for every member of Parliament sits in the House, but as one of that august Assembly by which all the Commons of England are represented.”

So Virginians with names beginning with George, Thomas and James, for example, should give thanks that they were virtually represented in Parliament by a British commoner (which defines them as colonial commoners). There was no need for someone from Virginia, or any other colony, according to the Crown, to actually be in Parliament; the point being that Washington, Jefferson and Madison were being “virtually represented” by other commoners in England.

The 1765 regulations continued: “The colonies and all British subjects whatever, have an equal share in the general representation of the Commons of Great Britain, and are bound by the consent of the majority of that House, whether their own particular representatives consented to or opposed the measures there taken, or whether they had or had not particular representatives there.” (Italics added.)

One can see the political seeds of No Taxation Without Representation in the last part of that regulation – “whether they had or had not particular representatives there” – and the seeds of rebellion as well.

Virtual representation was Crown representation.

*Next Up: Wednesday 28 June and a 2020: Putin Knows. For further reading see Section 3 of Chapter 1, “Revolution – a sovereignty of the people,” in Article the first of the Bill of Rights (2006).

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

2020: Tax Day Disses Our Revolution and Abraham Lincoln

4/15/2017

"No Taxation Without Representation"

Someone who disrespects is showing respect for another value.

For instance, the phrase “No Taxation Without Representation” animated the American Revolution. Taxation without representation is what monarchs and other toughies do and value; representation with taxation is a republican value.

So when We the People are disrespected, that is taxed without constitutional representation according to numbers, a usurper is actually showing respect to a monarchic mentality that we can call anti-republican and anti-USA.

President Abraham Lincoln February 1865

The same dis is observable in having Tax Day and the day Abraham Lincoln died coincide: usurpers did that, not republicans.

One can say Lincoln saved our Republic from killing itself; having Tax Day on his death day shows a lack of humility on the part of the usurpers. Simply put, it is arrogance.

April 15th is a double Republic dis: taxation without representation and it mocks the accomplishments and sacrifice of Abraham Lincoln. We are, by the logic of this day, the Usurped States of America and not the united ones.

*Next Up: This Wednesday April 19th and some serotonin receptor science.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Republican Values: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb On Our Way Cowpens

1/17/2017

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW Tactical

Part 5 of 13

“What’s that ahead Reb?”
“On the bend?”
“Yes.”
“Homestead.”
“Whose?”
“Gladys and Lee’s.”
“You mentioned them.”
“Let’s rest there.”
“Sure thing.”
“Today is Cowpens Day Gus.”
“Sounds fancy.”
“The Battle thereof.”
“General Morgan you mean.”
“Right.”
“He did something special?”
“Tactical.”
“Athenaesque?”
“Correct.”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW Retreat

“How so Reb?”
“Morgan knew soldiers.”
“His and his opponents.”
“Yes.”
“Morgan’s Teamster side.”
“It showed.”
“What tactics Johnny?”
“Retreat.”
“What?”
“First the skirmishers.”
“Really?”
“Then the militia.”
“Retreat again?”
“Only after firing two shots though.”
“They liked to run.”
“Morgan knew it and so did the British.”
“So two shots then run.”
“You got it.”
“In order to tempt and tire the British soldiers.”
“Right again.”
“For what?”

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb OOW Wheel

“Continentals.”
“Regulars.”
“And the militia wheeled Gus.”
“They came back?”
“With zeal.”
“The British?”
“Caught in an enfilade -”
“Crossfire.”
“- They surrendered.”
“Thunderbolt side of Morgan.”
“Yes.”
“Where is Cowpens Johnny?”
“South Carolina.”
“And the date?”
“Seventeen January 1781.”
“I like the militia part of the plan.”
“Shoot twice and run?”
“Shows Morgan understood people.”
“There was also a swollen river blocking any further retreat.”
“Morgan did know people.”
“Agreed.”
“Almost to the bend Johnny.”
“Rest will be good Gus.”

*Next Up: 29 January and part 6 of Republican Values: Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb On Our Way Family.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Union 2016: Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka New Year’s Eve 1775

12/31/2015

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere New

Winter series part 2

Hey you, don't tell me there's no hope at all
Together we stand, divided we fall.

“… Daniel Morgan had quite a 1775 Gus.”
“How so Johnny?”
“Morgan was in western Virginia -”
“- Around Berryville?”
“Right, though Berryville wasn’t always called that.”
“What else was it called?”
“Battletown.”
“Some big battle happen there Reb?”
“No, just the local kind.”
“Whatcha mean?”
“It was a place you could find a fight if you were looking for one.”
“Oh,” measured Gus, “a boxing town.”
“Sort of.”
“Thunderbolt might have meant something by that.”
“Agreed.”
“A clue,” Gus offered, “that perhaps our sides were looking for a fight and found one.”
“We got divided.”
“We the People did.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Years

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
“You quoting Lincoln there Reb.”
“He got it from the gospel of Mark.”
“Jesus.”
“Right."
“What of Morgan Reb and his 1775?”
“He and many others in Virginia answered George Washington’s call to Boston.”
“So the Teamster headed to where the action was.”
“And from there to Canada.”
“That’s a long ways from Virginia Reb, what’s Morgan doing there?”
“Trying to capture Quebec.”
“To spread rebellion?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Eve

“To spread the rebellion,” confirmed Reb, “and to deny the British a safe landing.”
“For the King’s response to the rebellion.”
“Correct.”
“They didn’t capture Quebec did they Johnny?”
“No Gus,” Reb distinguished, “the opposite happened.”
“Thunderbolt got captured.”
“He did. Morgan and several hundred other rebels surrendered and became prisoners of war on 31 December 1775.”
“Not a happy ending Johnny.”
“Morgan was alive.”
“True, though how’d he get to be Thunderbolt and all?”
“That started later Gus, in 1777 … "

*Next Up: The 240th anniversary of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, Sunday 10 January as part 3 of the Union 2016 winter series.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Calling Steve About My 2016 Halloween Recurring Dream

10/30/2015

Stephen Young and Bryan Brickner are activists and have been talking and writing together about the US Republic for more than a decade; Bryan has a Halloween 2016 dream (for the third year) and again calls Steve for help …

Bryan: Steve!

Steve: What!?

Bryan: I had that Halloween dream again.

Steve: Calm down ~ recurring dreams can be useful: what happened this time?

Bryan: Well, it was Halloween 2016 again –

Steve: – Because you saw the stage and big banner Halloween 2016 Presidential Debate.

Bryan: You remember.

Steve: And it’s just prior to the November 2016 election.

Bryan: Right again.

Steve: What was different or new?

Bryan: There was only one US flag and not two; no candidates or podiums either, just an empty stage with the flag centered.

Steve: Was the citizenry there like the first year?

Bryan: No.

Steve: Was John Finley Pettigrew there, you know, like the last times?

Bryan: Yeah, Pettigrew was, still young, dressed in revolutionary garb and unarmed. He was mostly motionless with his focus on the stage.

Steve: Mostly motionless?

Bryan: There’s this one moment when he …

Steve: What?

Bryan: … He stops General Washington.

Steve: How does a Virginian like Pettigrew, who was 18 in 1776 when he joined the revolution, stop General Washington?

Bryan: With his hand.

Steve: Oh … how so?

Bryan: Well, it’s Pettigrew, Washington and Morgan in the …

Steve: General Morgan, Thunderbolt of the Revolution?

Bryan: Right.

Steve: Who’s all there?

Bryan: There’s Pettigrew, Washington and Morgan in the front and Lee and Lincoln standing behind them.

Steve: Okay …

Bryan: So Pettigrew puts his hand out as Washington makes a move for the stage.

Steve: Interesting: did the musical Ozzy then show up?

Bryan: Music did but no Ozzy – a different mode this year.

Steve: A Depeche Mode?

Bryan: You guessed it ~ Freestate.

Steve: Step out of your cage and onto the stage …

Bryan: … It’s time to start playing your part.

John Finley Pettigrew

Steve: Patient Pettigrew.

Bryan: A sign for We the People.

Steve: What happened next?

Bryan: It ended like the other times: the scene switches to Pettigrew’s headstone and then I awake.

Steve: Hmmm … sounds okay to me, you know, with the playing your part bit.

Bryan: Let your senses overflow ‘eh?

Steve: Freedom’s a state.

Bryan: I hear ya’ ~ just open your mind and let yourself go.

Steve: Sounds good Bryan ~ Happy Halloween 2015!

Bryan: Thanks and you too Steve!

~
Video: Depeche Mode's Freestate

*Next Up: Saturday 31 October and The Story of George Hempington and the First Hempoween.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner