Category: Goddesses

The Turn of We the People: As He Died To Make Men Holy

8/11/2026

Theater of War

3/13

… Gus?
Admiring Johnny.
What would you be admiring?
Design of course.
Talking about the room?
Our entrance was jarring.
Yet that room ain't.
Beckons.
The vectoring Yank.
The goddesses don't miss an angle.
Like soldiers and line of sight.
Positioning.
We call a specific region a theater of war.
Western and Eastern.
And places like Atlanta.
One can admire Johnny.
And one knows not to look too long.
Nice.
It is 11 August.
Yeah.
Let's step.
Ah do.

To be clear

As He Died To Make Men Holy.
Let's Kill Rebels To Make Men Free.
Gus?
What?
That's not the line.
Trying to be clear Reb.
You died to make men free.
Yes.
You died to end slavery.
Yes.
What's your point?
I don't think I wanted to die.
Okay.
I would have been just fine killing you.
I imagine so.
We had to kill each other.
War.
Still shameful.

Buried in Georgia

You did right Gus.
I don't mean the particulars of that day in 1864.
What do you mean?
I spent 23 months at war with you.
Lots of battles.
Lots of skirmishes.
Lots of walking.
All the way to Georgia to be buried.
To kill me Yank.
It was me or somebody else had to kill you.
I hear ya.
I was shooting at you all the time.
Right.
I killed you just like you killed me Johnny.
Just you didn't have to die.
I had to kill.
Damn it.
Damn it.

*Next Up: 18 August part 4/13 The Turn of We the People: Up Words.

Posted by Bryan W Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Turn of We the People: Keep Moving

8/7/2026

Carolina Gamecock

2/13

Where were the Chestnuts from Johnny?
South Carolina, and it is Ches-nuts.
Chesnuts?
Right.
Is that a South Carolina thing?
French.
Didn't Elbridge mention Thomas Sumpter was Sumter.
Correct Yank.
The Carolina Gamecock.
A Spirit of ‘76.
Who defended the Constitution on 9 April 1792.
Usurpation Day.
The Congressional Record, according to Elbridge, lists Representative Thomas Sumpter as voting against the usurpation.
It says that Yank.
So Kotka becomes Koka.
If ya want Koka.
The goddesses said Keep Moving.
Just move.

Advice

They know us Reb.
All those empty chairs.
We never had it so fancy.
We stay in cemeteries mostly.
There and battlefields.
Which are basically cemeteries.
Comedy and Tragedy are like Snake and Turkey.
Morgan gave us a starting point Gus.
Berryville, Virginia.
And now Comedy and Tragedy gave us advice.
A sign.
Keep Moving.
Why did the Carolina Gamecock lose his p Johnny?
Could be the name meant too much.
Like how?
Could be the name was greater than Calhoun.
So misdirect from Sumpter's support of the thirty Thousand.
And away from Calhoun's treason.
The Chesnuts?
Yes.

Words

Start somewhere Johnny.
The Chesnuts were close to the Davises.
Trusted.
James Chesnut was loyal to Jeff.
How loyal?
James Chesnut was a person who deferred.
Okay.
Jeff needed people who deferred.
So they fit temperamentally.
Right on.
What of Mary Chesnut Johnny?
Mary had wit like Varina.
Compatible.
Was a writer like Varina.
Words.
Anti-slavery.
What!?
Anti-Black too.
I see why the Chestnuts are hard to explain.
Chesnuts.
Is that the entryway?
Careful Gus …

*Next Up: 11 August part 3/13 The Turn of We the People: As He Died To Make Men Holy.

Posted by Bryan W Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Turn of We the People: Dionysus

7/31/2026

Happened

1/13

Didn't see that happening Johnny.
Me either.
They can move.
Yes they can.
And communicate.
With and without words.
No masks either.
They did admit to singing.
We spent America’s 250th 4th of July in Richmond Virginia.
In the Confederate Executive Mansion.
And not just you and me Johnny.
With two goddesses.
Comedy and Tragedy.
Happened.
Probably forgot all about your stomach flipping, eh Reb?
Mostly.
Lingering?
In a good way.

Chestnuts

They remembered you.
Seems so.
They said so Johnny.
Yeah.
Nice of them.
Didn't feel bad.
Comedy and Tragedy named Mary Chestnut and her diary.
Part of those days.
They also mentioned 12th and Clay.
The Chestnuts had a place on the corner Gus.
Neighbors of the Davises?
Friends too.
Like hang out in these rooms?
Countless times, happy and sad.
The goddesses cleared up why the blood red walls.
And the vine carpeting Yank.
Said it was for a Greek god of wine.
Dionysus.
Fancy name.

Communion

Partier.
So just make the carpets and walls red for the spilling of wine.
Of course.
One thinks of Jesus.
The wine?
Communion.
Others have said so too.
Dionysus like theater Johnny?
The Greeks held theatrical festivals in his honor.
How old is the dude?
Putting me on the spot Yank.
Estimate.
At least 3300 years.
Geepers!
Once upon a time Yank.
Our American spirit is just beginning.
In relation to Dionysus, we would be seven years old.
That explains things.
We ready Yank?
Ready to be ready Reb.

*Next Up: 7 August part 2/13 The Turn of We the People: Keep Moving.

Posted by Bryan W Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Return of We the People: Comedy and Tragedy

6/22/2026

Feelings

10/13

Where are the goddesses?
[Silence]
Reb?
[Silence]
This is no time to go poofing Johnny?
I, I … didn't poof.
You okay?
I think I had a feeling Gus.
You?
I know.
A feeling?
I think it was.
What?
Felt like I had a stomach and it was flipping.
Flipping?
Like a pancake.
Why?
Spirits.
Where are the goddesses?
Turn to the left.

Tragedy

Who is this Johnny?
Tragedy I think.
Tragedy?
A representation.
Why Tragedy?
Ask the Greeks.
Why here I mean?
Came with the house.
Shouldn't it be Athena?
It was Tragedy.
Victory?
We have Comedy over here.
Of course we do.
They go together.
In theater and war.

Comedy

Comedy Yank.
So these were here when Robert E. Lee walked in?
Lincoln too.
And when Varina and Betsey went out for the day.
And here to welcome them home.
Quite the symbols.
Set a tone.
What’s with the wired chairs?
Props.
Don't sit?
Right.
Won't stop a goddess.
Hardly.
You hear that?
Hear something.
Sounds of music.
A cue perhaps?
Goddesses suggesting we move on.
Outro music.
Let's continue touring Reb.
And leave the timeless to be.

*Next up: 29 June (part 11/13) The Return of We the People: Madness.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner / Support the US Constitution

The Return of We the People: Betsey and Varina

6/1/2026

Riddles

Part 7/13

A goddess Johnny.
There are more.
This ain't the one?
There are two and two more.
Riddler.
House of riddles Gus.
Why we’re here.
I think so too.
We talked of Betsey and the men in her life.
Jeff and James.
What of Varina?
Loaded question Yank.
How did Varina and Betsey meet?
Mississippi.
Betsey running was their ending I imagine.
It was.
What does the record say about their beginning?
Betsey is just always there.
When did Varina and Jeff meet?
Married in 1845.

Taylors

Johnny, did Varina own slaves?
No.
Have money?
No.
Land?
No.
What then?
Intellect.
Jeff was married before … to a Taylor.
Sarah Taylor.
Daughter of the future President Zachary Taylor, right Johnny?
Who threatened to hang his former son-in-law for treason.
Hot potato!?
In the spring of 1850.
Taylor died that summer.
Some say Jeff did it.
Proven?
Not yet Gus.
Interesting.

Wonderment

Varina was at President Taylor’s deathbed.
Doing what?
Comforting her friend Margaret, the grieving First Lady, Jeff’s former mother-in-law.
Where’s Betsey Reb?
Someone was at Varina's beck and call?
Betsey.
Someone rode in the carriage with Varina?
Betsey, or whoever was in the servant slave role, acted as an aide-de-camp.
Jeff became US Secretary of War in 1853 Gus.
Varina was cabinet level.
So too Betsey.
And Varina had full access to DC.
From 1850 until ‘61 Yank.
And there stands Betsey.
Betsey was there when Varina had her first child.
Endearing.
Betsey was there when the same child died of sudden illness two years later.
Consoling.
Crying too.
Crying too.
Wonderment Yank.
That's a riddle, ain't it.
How would Betsey feel toward Varina?

*Next up: 8 June (part 8/13) The Return of We the People: Betsey.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

The Return of We the People: Steps and Doorways

4/27/2026

Portal

3 of 13

Got a sign Gus.
Quite a name.
Marketing.
Starfish House wasn't working?
Stingray.
Right.
During the war it was called the Executive or President’s Mansion.
It’s old.
Like us.
The sign Johnny.
Built in 1818.
As a home.
Then Executive Mansion.
Until April 1865.
Then Yanks moved in.
Then a school Reb.
Then a museum.
And now what is it?
Portal.
Davis stepped here.
Lincoln stepped here too Gus.
Some of his last.
True.

Context

So that doorway saw a lot.
Part of being a portal.
Robert E. Lee?
Yes.
Mosby?
Maybe.
Why maybe?
Blur, you know Yank, too many particulars.
Davis had an office?
Here as well.
Let's go inside.
Maybe we see the visitor’s center first?
See Charlie?
There are things inside that best have some context.
Like what?
Context.
There are goddesses.
Good guess.
I took the one on the sign as a hint.

Virginia

The Roman Virtus Gus.
Virtus is on the Virginia flag.
Virtue kills a tyrant.
Mortal combat as virtue Johnny.
According to Virginia.
Understandable not using the Virginia story you told me.
Another Roman story.
Father slays daughter to keep her from being enslaved.
Virginius and Virginia.
That would be a tough image to put on a flag Reb.
Especially in a slave state.
You mentioned goddesses.
I did.
Where?
Visitor's center first.
After you.
It’s around back.
To the left?
Follow me.
Okay …

Next up: 4 May (part 4/13) The Return of We the People: Emancipate Yourself

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Hellenistic

10/6/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Hellenistic

Part 11 of 13

“… We weren’t done.”
“That wasn’t a native Gus.”
“Looked like one.”
“I saw what you mean.”
“Quiver right?”
“Maybe.”
“Who was it Reb?”
“It’s art Yank.”
“Let Art be Reb.”
“I mean -”
“- Who was it?”
“A goddess.”
“Who?”
“Athena maybe.”
“Athena?”
“Perhaps Artemis.”
“They’re Greek.”
“Hellenistic.”
“Greek to me.”
“The image is a circle because it’s a commemorative coin.”
“I was gonna embarrass myself in front of a goddess.”
“It looks like a native Gus.”
“Thanks for the diversion.”
“Sure.”
“Did that happen?”
“Like a story.”
“Why Cowpens?”
“Congress thought Morgan did a special thing.”
“Congress? …”

*Next Up: 7 October and part 12 of Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Comitia Americana.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Truths

9/26/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Tell

Part 6 of 13

“… Here we are Reb.”
“Perfect.”
“Almost.”
“What Yank?”
“No goddess.”
“Like before.”
“Slab’s still there.”
“And Thunderbolt’s in the shadows.”
“Reb – what were you gonna say about Tell-Lie-Vision and the thirty Thousand?”
“That Tell-Lie-Vision is now our ally.”
“It wasn’t?”
“No.”
“Why now Reb?”
“It needs the truth.”
“It tells lies with visions.”
“Yet lies need truths.”
“An example.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank: Lie

“Camp life Gus.”
“Rife with rumors.”
“Twenty-four seven.”
“Things that disturb.”
“And entertain.”
“With nonsense.”
“Those are Tells Gus.”
“The camp takes on the Tells.”
“Everyone gets all Telled-up.”
“And then?”
“The Tell becomes real.”
“The Lie becomes real Reb.”
“Correct.”
“Camp gets mutinous.”
“Sound familiar?”
“Does Johnny.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Vision

“Then the Vision.”
“Like fire you said.”
“Spreads like that Gus.”
“And?”
“The whole camp gets to believing the Lie.”
“A correction coming.”
“That’s how Tell-Lie-Vision will help us in the future.”
“Sounds like a fulcrum.”
“Nice.”
“And the Lies have the Truths stuck in the air.”
“And all constitutional questions begin and end with the thirty Thousand.”
“It’s We the People Reb.”
“It’s the Electoral College Yank.”
“The Seventh Amendment.”
“Article the first of the Bill of Rights.”
“The first veto and Usurpation Day.”
“And 17 September.”
“Good thinking Reb.”
“Thanks Yank.”
“Where’d our sign go?”
“The goddess?”
“Yeah …”

*Next Up: 27 September and part 7 of Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Daniel Morgan.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: To Live the ‘Merican Dream

9/22/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: To Live the 'Merican Dream

Part 5 of 13

“… We get to live the dream.”
“Say that again Reb.”
“We get to live the dream Yank.”
“Live?”
“The dream.”
“How can we live again Johnny, we dead.”
“What about Crate?”
“You said I died.”
“You did.”
“So we can’t live again.”
“Crate means something Gus, something about you.”
“Be clear Johnny.”
“The thirty Thousand is our dream Yank.”
“I know.”
“You had dreams too, the dreams of Augustus Kotka.”
“I don’t remember them.”
“But you had them.”
“You had dreams too then, the dreams of Jonathan Rebel.”
“Yank, like Knowbody said, it’s time, time we live the ‘Merican dream.”
“The thirty Thousand.”
“Right.”
“And see where the Constitution leads Johnny.”
“It matters ‘cuz it’s true.”
“Speaking of true, what about Tell-Lie-Vision.”
“What about it?”
“Tell-Lie-Vision and the thirty Thousand?”
“I see your point.”
“And?”
“Let’s go see Thunderbolt.”
“Idea excellent.”
“After you Gus.”
“Okay … and bye Lil Man …”
[Bye.]

*Next Up: 26 September and part 6 of Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Truths.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Lil Man

9/20/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank RMH: Lil Man

Part 3 of 13

“… Look Reb.”
“What did you expect?”
“That Lil Man would be gone.”
“Why leave Gus?”
“True.”
“People should picnic here.”
“They should Reb.”
“It’s like a garden.”
“Of spirits and stones.”
“Trees too.”
“What’s Lil Man about Reb?”
“Dwarf Stars don’t do much Yank.”
“Explode you said.”
“They can.”
“What’s it still doin’ here?”
“It’s just light Gus.”
“More than light Johnny.”
“More than Crate?”
“No.”
“Gus?”
“Yeah.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Knowbody … he said something else Reb.”
“What?”
“Well, …”

*Next Up: 21 September and part 4 of Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Revisit Mount Horeb: Time.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner