More of the Same

This was written by my friend John:

Operator, the antithesis of Grasseater.

Tomorrow morning, seventy million Americans will get into their cars and
drive to work. Some, a minuscule fraction of one-percent, will never make
it! They'll die, or be injured, in wrecks. The rest of us, while saddened when
these things happen in our high-speed world, still need to face to the front
and get where we're going!

Modern, Western Civilization is chock-full of dangerous things, like cars,
airplanes, electricity, rat poison, and guns. And, while an extremely small
percentage of people, through carelessness, stupidity, or evil intent, will
hurt themselves and others while misusing these things, the rest of us realize
that, in order to take full advantage of what our Civilization has to offer,
these things are unavoidably going to be part of our daily lives. We fully
realize that we need to be careful, but we are determined to live a full and
rewarding life, and that such a life is inexorably going to bring us into
contact with hazardous things and dangerous circumstances. Risk attaches to
everything. Who dare, prevail!

Again, while we wish everyone would be careful and have only honorable
intentions, we still insist of being able to get out, travel at high speeds, have
electrical power at our fingertips, be free from rodent infestation, and be

able to unilaterally, efficaciously defend ourselves, when necessary, from
violent criminals. Yes, with all the unhappiness, pain, and evil in the world,
THE REST OF US STILL NEED TO GET WHERE WE'RE GOING!

In a world without losers, there can't be winners either. There is just
enforced, dull, drab mediocrity, heavy- handedly imposed by powerful churches
and nanny-state governments, the Sangria-La of Leftists! This is precisely
what my ancestors, and yours, came to this Continent to escape!

Independent Operators, dashing and daring, are necessary to make any
civilization grow and prosper. Instead, the current crop of political candidates
cater exclusively to losers, grasseaters, and criminals. In fact, they
propose viciously punishing everyone who doesn't commit crimes, doesn't do
stupid things, conducts their affairs with integrity and honesty, and prosper boldly
and courageously. Personally, I'd rather they'd just say "Thank You," and
leave it at that!

The Great Barrier Reef, stretches 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia.
Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the Reef. On one tour, the
guide was asked, "I notice the lagoon-side of the reef is pale and lifeless,
while the ocean-side is vibrant and colorful. Why?"

The guide responded, "The coral on the lagoon-side dies early because the
water is stagnant, offering no challenge for its survival. However, the coral
on the ocean-side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, and storms. It
has to fight for survival every day. As it is challenged and tested, it changes
and adapts. It grows healthy, strong; reproducing, and thriving."

It is the same with people. When we are challenged and tested, we come
alive. Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Demands cause us to grow strong.
Stress produces tough-mindedness and resiliency. Testing produces strength
of character, faith, gratitude, and a peace that surpasses all understanding.
We become Operators! Why would anyone want to be anything less?

Nanny-state governments, while assuring naive grasseaters that they have the
power to legislate all uncertainties out of life, will simultaneously try to
stamp us [Operators] out completely, but they will ever fail, even as they're failing
now, despite their best efforts!

They're afraid of us. We shouldn't be surprised!

Grasseater or Operator? Sheep or Sheepdog? Democrat or Republican? Liberal or Conservative? Communist or Capitalist? Socialist or Libertarian? Dependent or Independent? On the Plantation or Emancipated? Adolescent or Adult?

You know who you are.

The Gunslinger