The Discipline of a Quiet Man

Posted on by charliej373

By Charlie Johnston

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.

-Matthew 10:34-36

In the last 24 hours I have been the target of the ire of a small raft of emails accusing me of sedition and such because I will not accept the results of an apparently fraudulent election without a serious and thorough investigation. I can accept a loss – it’s happened more than I like – but not the destruction of the safeguards preserving the integrity of our electoral system. Democrats are very eager to pacify the nation and get all to accept the results of the last presidential election. They can choose among two paths to accomplish this: either open a serious and thorough investigation or just move to repress any who question it. They have chosen the latter. It is not working. If any on that side want to try something that could work, here is a concise and extensive summary of evidence of the fraud (that they say does not exist). I don’t think they will ever submit to that, though, for they know as well as we do that this was a fraud.

More unsettling, one of the most courageous and honorable men I have ever known heatedly informed me last night that I was making myself a tool of the devil; that all we have to do is re-organize and work harder and that the system is not broken. I didn’t worry too much about the devil stuff. For decades, knowing my religious nature, many have accused me of the same hoping it will paralyze me. But this is a very good man, a man with whom I have fought side by side in several battles. He thinks I am unhinged; I think he is living in a world gone by. Both of us may be wrong, but both cannot be right.

This brings me to a crucial point in how to deal with friends and family who have a diametrically opposed opinion on the purging of conservatives and Christians from the public square, of seeking the arrest and imprisonment not only of those who charged the Capitol, but of all prominent questioners of the legitimacy of this election. I say, argue with them no longer. Just calmly state where you stand and then do not further engage. I have said I believe the time of choosing has commenced. Whether we have looked at it or not, all the information we need has been revealed to facilitate an informed choice. It is events, themselves, that will now confirm or repudiate our judgment.

If I am wrong, after this initial orgy of shutting people down, getting them fired, and demanding the destruction of those who dissent from leftist dogma will die down in the coming weeks and months and settle into a more normal track, with room for a diversity of opinions and activists. If that happens, I will gladly counsel people to step back. If I am right, the repression will continue and intensify – and people will slowly begin to see that for themselves. A lot of people who are triumphal about Biden believe they will now be part of a grand ruling class. If they were more knowledgeable about the history of authoritarian movements, they would know that the minor supporting activists are often in more peril than the opposing activists. They think they have become the ruling class when all they have done is helped facilitate an arbitrary class of rulers who will be coming for them, too, soon enough. If I engage in passionate, embittered debate with them now, it makes it that much harder for them to come to me when they see for themselves. Step away from heated dialogue with those you care about now. Little good can come from it and much harm can arise.

Do not suppose that all – or even most – who want to treat this as business as usual are guided by malice or ambition. In all of the great upheavals in history, almost all the people involved did not see the terrible peril until it was already too late. In revolutionary France, the King deluded himself that he just had a communication problem and could resolve the controversies by normal means. Only French Finance Minister Jacques Necker knew that this was something very different and far more dangerous than previous controversies. In the run-up to the Holocaust, a multitude of Jews who could have gotten out did not because they thought this was just another pogrom like many they had seen before across Europe. To the shame of the western world, many who would have gotten out could not because the western world strictly suppressed Jewish emigration from Germany. In the first Russian revolution in February of 1917. The Duma (or legislature) assumed command in a sort of social democrat posture – and thought they had things well in hand. Then Lenin came in October and the cat was now among the pigeons of the legislature. And so it goes. I could go on a long time with this, but the point is that when the critical moment has arrived, few understand it until after it has passed. Our job is to conduct ourselves with dignity, composure, and steadiness to make it easy for them to come to us when they see – or easy for us to go back to them if we are wrong.

Many people hold fast to the belief that the institutions that were always there for them still are. There is little we can do on this score until either their or our illusions are dispelled. So tread lightly but steadfastly.

The power of the pagan left is the power of the street gang – the promiscuous willingness to use force and violence to get their way, without remorse. But never lose sight of the fact that, for all their self-regard, they are monumentally incompetent. Usually within the first six months of a leftist authoritarian takeover, they have so mismanaged everything and are surrounded by such disaster that even many of their early supporters have a, “this is not what we planned for” moment. By the summertime you should want to be in position to welcome some former leftist activists into the fold as they realize this was not about the good of the people, but only about augmenting the power of a few.

Lenin’s communist dialectic redefined truth, itself. It posited that anything that supported communism was truth, whether it was factual or not, while anything that opposed communism was a lie, whether it was factual or not. The modern pagan left has adopted a variant of that dialectic: actual violence in support of leftism is just “free speech” while any speech criticizing leftism is “violence.” I consider it a coin toss whether I will be arrested and jailed this year. No, I am not going to commit any crimes in the normal sense of the word. I would be pretty safe if that was my plan, for the left does not often punish actual crimes against property or persons. The only crime they punish ferociously is dissent – and I will not shut up. But I want to give people who disagree with me plenty of room without imputing to them motives they may not have. There will be time enough for recriminations – and reconciliation – later.

I am also not overly worried about security. Oh, I want everyone to exercise prudence according to their station in life. I use Signal for some things, but mainly I just openly and cheerily go about my business. The fact is that the American government can hack just about anything, including the secure heavily encrypted systems of other countries. Our strength is in the vast number of people who are not buying the official line anymore. Their job is not to find a needle in a haystack, but a specific needle in a needle stack. The time for the catacombs may come, but that time is not now. I think the best plan is to hide in plain sight. If you become a target of hostile officials, they can hack whatever secure systems you adopt. If you adopt enough secure systems, I think that can prompt your becoming a target – for though they might not initially see what you are up to, they can see that you are taking great pains not to leave a footprint.

We also have another, vital level of security. You all know that all of the left considers Christians superstitious ninnies. Surprise! – the majority of the institutional right does, too – only they consider us their superstitious ninnies. They don’t take us seriously. Since we believe that God will carve out the path forward for us, they think there is no real power or threat there. If there is no God, they are right and we will be overwhelmed. But God IS – and has power they know nothing of. I am terrified that if I take some extraordinary means of human protection, I will forfeit the divine protection I rely on. Do not think that I think this means I will never be assaulted or hurt. What I DO think is that if I exercise ordinary prudence (which God commands us to) and rely on Him for the rest, whatever happens to me will serve to advance His plan for the renewal of the faith and face of the world – and I am willing.,

The last year has given you some vital material with which to make sound judgments. I have watched the feeds of many people I know – and it often shows the measure of a person. There are some who were busy the last year explaining why the widespread rioting, looting, arson and mayhem of the left was just a mostly peaceful exercise of free speech. When those same people now insist that the raucous demonstration where a few people got out of hand at the Capitol was sedition and treason and unprecedented violence, I know that, at best, they are intellectually dishonest and not to be trusted. They do not object to forceful means of protest at all, only any expression of Christian or conservative morality, no matter how peacefully or forcefully it is expressed. You do not have to confront them with it, but it is best to file it away for future reference.

Be vigorous in vetting any information you want to believe. I was dismayed to see so many people send me stuff from the well-known alien and UFO hunter, Simon Parkes, as if he were a credible cultural analyst. People legitimately do not know who or what to believe these days. If you put out unvetted poppycock, all you do is add to the rising tide of confusion and, when discovered, add yourself to many people’s list of unreliable sources. I keep saying you must be deliberate and restrained. I know that is hard to do when chaos surrounds us, but if you don’t, if you give in to your passion rather than mastering it, how can the many who will wake up this year come to you later? Do not squander your credibility.

I know many are counting on Donald Trump to pull a last-minute rabbit out of his hat to make this all go away. It could happen – and if it does I will be delighted, for it would make my work a lot easier. Before any major event, I mentally run through at least a dozen different possible scenarios and plan my response to each – focusing on both what I consider most likely and what I consider the worst-case scenario. I worry that if Trump is not inaugurated to the second term he won (which I consider the most likely event) some will quit the field saying that we lost. I know what I will do if Trump prevails and what I will do if the coup is fully enacted. Do you know what you will do? Are you prepared for the unexpected?

While I will not stand idly by while liberty is strangled, I am far more interested in secession than insurrection. Over the long haul, I don’t think it will last, but I also think it is the least bloody path forward – and would give us real-time feedback on which philosophy works and which is doomed to degenerate into chaos. I will probably go into exile into Texas for a time if secession rises…and will hopefully await the rise of sanity anew, as people throughout the country and the world rededicate themselves to faith, family and freedom.

193 thoughts on “The Discipline of a Quiet Man”

  1. Totally with you Steve ,Trumps a master strategist. Like you I certainly don’t think it will be a cake walk but at least we will have a man of GOD leading the charge.Yesterday was a low point for me until I pulled up behind a car in a parking lot. The bumper sticker on her car was “ drain the swamp”. I made a favorable comment to her about it and asked if she still had hope? She replied “ oh definitely GOD is still on the throne and doesn’t want a man who murders babies in charge” her church is doing a 21 day fast and prayers for our President. I took this as a nudge from GOD . Again what a time GOD put us in I too think we will see something amazing. I am praying unceasingly this will be the case..🙏🏻 Go Trumpinator Go

    Liked by 7 people

  2. I liked the comments, I especially enjoyed the William Tell Overture. What I find so sorrowful is that which will be laid to waste if they win, and what will be never known for those to come for a long while. It seems we have dug ourselves into a hole, a deep one. Which is why it is important our children and grandchildren connect with Christ in a deep fulfilling way, so that future possibilities become realities and Hope and Joy abounds. As I see a glimpse of “Maybe’s” …CARPE DIEM!

    Liked by 4 people

  3. JESUS = GOOD NEWS.. .. 😉

    If there are any Bright-Spots to be had from 2020, one may be that we know who the Sheep & Goats are …… Church/State ….. and where the Wolves of Manifest Evil reside!
    https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/bishops-acquiescence-makes-restrictions-on-worship-possible/

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/01/13/democrats-are-using-the-recent-capitol-riot-to-consolidate-power/

    https://justthenews.com/government/congress/three-critical-questions-about-capitol-siege-remain-unanswered

    YEP! Candace Owens Tweets out a video that demonstrates just a small amount of the Medias hypocrisy on Protest & Violence.

    https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2021/01/how-conservatives-get-erased-internet-daniel-greenfield/

    https://www.wnd.com/2021/01/analysis-concludes-antifa-provoked-shooting-ashli-babbitt-capitol/

    http://www.ruthfullyyours.com/2021/01/13/erase-and-criminalize-by-chris-farrell/

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/01/13/a-short-history-of-how-anthony-fauci-has-kept-failing-up-since-1984/

    https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2021/01/why_the_right_will_neither_forgive_nor_forget.html

    https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-announces-his-aim-is-to-defeat-civil-rights-group-that-defends-second-amendment

    https://www.crisismagazine.com/
    https://stream.org/category/us/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 4 people

  4. I love getting Bishop Barron’s daily Gospel reflections. Some day’s really speak to me.
    Part of today’s is:

    “Consider the leper’s beautiful plea, essential in any act of petitionary prayer: “If you wish, you can make me clean.” He is not demanding; he is acknowledging the lordship of Jesus, his sovereignty. “Thy will be done” is always the right attitude in any prayer.”

    With this, if we can do this, it is much easier to “let go let God”

    Liked by 5 people

  7. Just reading, and nodding my head in agreement, and being encouraged by so many of your words.

    This was the exact piece I needed to read right now. The Out There doesn’t bother me as much as the tearing apart and stretching of relationships.

    I’m honestly not paying all that much attention to it all. I don’t have the mental bandwidth– I have so much to navigate in my own life– 3rd term of nursing school, and the divorce should be final next month and I have to buy and sell a house in all of this, wondering where God will put us and if I pull back on the cameral and try and take it all in? I start to waver. So I just keep the focus on where my feet are, what I have to do and trust that God is getting the rest done without my input.

    I would have hoped that we didn’t have to go through this, but it’s at our door and it seems that it’s our time.

    Thank you for the guidance, Charlie.

    Liked by 8 people

  8. Charlie, you echo my thoughts and do a nice job articulating them. Following this presidential election, I’ve been looking for like-minded people to talk and work with for the betterment of our society. Now is a time of action. I need to get off the sidelines. Times like this can make a person feel alone, isolated, as if you’re on an island surrounded by craziness. What’s the next right step?

    As John Adams said, our constitution only works with a moral and religious people. It will take time and may require us to think outside the box, but I think a key is working to get us back to being a moral and religious nation.

    Lastly, I attended one of talks back in 2015 or 2016. I think your visions were accurate, but your interpretation was just off by four years.

    Liked by 4 people

  9. Found these words on the opening screen of video on Youtube. They seemed fitting to all of our circumstances, both for myself and for all our brothers and sisters on this board;

    “Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

    The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

    Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.

    He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
    He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.

    He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.””

    Psalm 46:6-10

    The above words are worth remembering, especially within the context of Ephesians 2:10;

    “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

    Notice that God says that you and I were “created in Christ Jesus for good works”, yet it follows on to state that those works were prepared by God “beforehand that we should walk in them.”

    He’s known from before Time began the path that’s set before us. All that’s required of us is listen to, and choose to obey, the Holy Spirit’s voice within us. “Be still, and know that I am God.”

    Liked by 4 people

    1. There is No Doubt that Communists infiltrated The Church ….. & Academia, Feral Fed/Blue State Gubermint and Hollywood (Media). Tail Gunner Joe McCarthy may have been a slimy politician but he was correct about Communist Infiltration.
      The Infiltrators’, even more radical, “Offspring” are well entrenched in the above and celebrating the Graveyard Spiral that The Republic will enter in six days. ;-(
      Thank God that He gave US four years of Trump to demonstrate what, still, could be in Our USA! …..
      For exposing The Enemy! …… For giving US more time to prepare! 😉
      Whilst writing this, the emergency “Bold Print” procedure from my B-52 days came to mind:
      “Order Crew Members to Bail Out” …. we can’t Bail Out!? ……. so we must turn to God!

      GOD SAVE ALL HERE!

      Liked by 5 people

      1. “Communism has come again!” and there’s cummunist faction inside the Church as well (the smoke of Satan), care must be taken, that those who were supposed to stand with us in the times ahead will in fact become Judases and betray many of the faithful.

        Like

        1. Hey, thanks Beckita! How seriously should I take this guy then about communism? I would think that Charlie has a better idea about such topics than this goofball.

          Liked by 1 person

  11. Good morning, I would like to add that in my daily short prayer today, I got this fragment which confirms what I got yesterday ( and please note I only get a random word from the Bible at most once daily ):

    “When my enemies turn back,
    they stumble and perish before you. For you upheld my right and my cause, seated on your throne, judging justly.”
    Ps 9,4-5

    I must admit that I am inclined to thinking that big observable miracles like parting the Red See are a domain of the Old Testament and nowadays God is working sacramentally and through the Holy Spirit.

    But God seems to be saying now : ” just watch “.

    Liked by 7 people

      1. You got it Beckita! CORAC, as the name says, is a part of God’s army. That also implies that Charlie is kind of a llieutenant general here, with St. Michael, the colonel general, and Jesus, the general of the entire army. And our families are fireteams! 🙂

        Liked by 3 people

    2. The Old Testament stories of judgement and the psalns used to feel other wordly to me, embellished or a bit histrionic; with these manifestations of evil of late, they feel very real and immediate.

      Liked by 3 people

  13. JESUS = GOOD NEWS.. .. 😉

    https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2021/01/14/ohio-focus-group-77-percent-like-trump-more-23-percent-same-opinion-zero-percent-like-less/#more-207153

    https://amgreatness.com/2021/01/13/a-domestic-terrorism-bill-only-antifa-could-love/

    https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2021/01/14/refuse-to-be-silenced-n2583120

    https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2021/01/14/project-veritas-video-shows-twitter-ceo-jack-dorsey-saying-censorship-is-not-going-away-anytime-soon/

    Today’s Headlines will give you an idea where we are going in our USA in 6 days … Purge anyone who opposes The Agenda, re-install those who support The Agenda and Demonize Conservatives, People of Faith …… and White Foljks Need Not Apply! ….. Plus promote Confusion, Fear and Division;-(

    Army to Review More Than 3,500 ‘Bad Paper’ Discharges for Post-9/11 Vets

    DoD ‘no place’ for those espousing extremist views, officials say

    The private-sector purge is beginning

    21,000 National Guard Troops Flood in as Washington Locks Down

    A Fake National Guard Memo Warning of Nationwide Lockdown Is Circulating Again

    Furious Extremists Call for More Violence Around Inauguration Day

    FBI chief says agency tracking ‘extensive’ online chatter about potential inauguration threats

    CNN’s Don Lemon doubles down on lumping all Trump voters with Klansmen, Nazis: ‘I believe what I said’

    Black Lives Matter calls convicted cop killer ‘a political prisoner’

    Patrisse ‘Burn Everything Down’ Cullors [and “Marxist co-founder of Black Lives Matter”] was honored with a speaking role at Biden’s Democratic Convention–Edward Davis

    To help heal racial wounds, Black national anthem would become America’s hymn under proposal

    Migrant Caravan on the Move in Honduras in Uncertain Times

    Ayanna Pressley: There Will Be ‘No Return to Normal’ — It Was ‘Unjust in the First Place’

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 4 people

  14. I was watching/attending a Mass on YouTube this morning from Rockford, Illinois, and the Priest made a very excellent point. He talked about how the four men were intercessors for the paralyzed man when they cut through the roof of the house, and lowered him in front of Jesus so that he could be healed. The Priest said that we are all called to be intercessors for others to Jesus, so that they can be healed, etc. I thought that this is a great example for us today. We are all being called by God to intercede for others as part of our “Next Right Step.” This will of course be different for each person, but it’s a call to/for everyone. 🙂 I continue to pray A LOT in these days, but I also find myself turning to God more as the chaos grows/gets worse. It seems to me that the worse things get, the more I feel assured that God is in control of everything, and he knows everything that’s happening, etc. I know I must strive to stay focused on him, (and believe me, some days/moments are easier to do that than others), but I know that he blesses me (and everyone else who is of like mind) in the striving. 🙂 God Bless all here, and all of good will! 🙂 I really liked the quote “Be still, and know that I am God.” 🙂

    Liked by 8 people

  15. So glad that God led me to this forum where I can be myself. Yesterday, my pastor suggested that I should tone down posts on my PERSONAL FB page because someone from the parish reported me for saying I was a Trump supporter for his Pro-Life stance and criticizing Biden for his abortion mongering. I felt so gut-punched. The reason: illegal immigrants from our parish MIGHT see my posts and feel threatened. I reminded him of all my advocacy for immigrants, even those here illegally, but he still felt the need to correct me.

    I’m not mad at him. I am mad at the betrayal of a “catholic” who didn’t have the courage to respond or confront me personally and, instead, went to and intimidated my boss. The persecution is real.

    I went away sad and wanted to cry but the Lord gave me the grace to remember what Our Lady of Fatima asked the 3 children, “Are you willing to suffer…?”

    A small sacrifice to offer to the TROVE which Our Lady must be gathering to bring about the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart. Ave Stella Maris!

    Liked by 5 people

  17. Just want to share a message I was sent this morning. I didn’t write it, but I wish I had:

    “My days on earth are numbered; But before I fade away, there is something important I need to say. It may not be important to anyone else; but it’s important to me.

    Win, lose or fraud…President Trump. I just want to say thank you for the last four years.

    Thank you for making it cool to be an American again.

    Thank you for showing us that we don’t need to be under China’s thumb anymore economically, or any other way.

    Thank you for one of the strongest economies we’ve ever experienced in my lifetime. Thank you for all you have done for the minority communities, and the outstanding decrease in the unemployment rate you had.

    Thank you for making it feel good to love our country and to be a proud patriot again. Thank you for supporting our Nation’s flag and the men and women who fought for the freedom that stands behind that flag.

    Thank you for supporting our nation’s law enforcement organizations, and understanding how difficult their job really is.

    Thank you for quelling the flood of illegal immigration, and bringing to justice the thousands of criminals that flood brought us.

    Thank you for giving corporations a reason to come back to America to make our own products and put Americans back to work.

    Thank you for bringing our troops home from endless deployments that presented us with little more than body bags; and for your commitment to strengthen our military.

    Thank you for operation warp speed and keeping your promise in bringing the Covid 19 vaccine to us in less than a year.

    Thank you for your never-ending attempts at bringing peace to the Middle East and your support for Israel.

    Thank you for your Tax relief, and thank you for our energy independence. Most of all though…

    THANK YOU for taking a damn rotten job that you never had to take!!

    Thank you for caring enough for this country to want to try and make a difference.

    Thank you for showing America how little Career Politicians actually work for their constituents; and for showing us how much those politicians despise you for showing America how easy it is to build a great nation, rather than rape her to line their own pockets and stock portfolios.

    Thank you for allowing us to experience a President that wasn’t a lifelong politician, but a lifelong American.”

    THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT….. WE DID OUR BEST….

    Liked by 6 people

      1. I did to, Kevin. I might add that President Trump did what he did without drawing a salary for himself to boot. The role that he stepped into and the way he went about it is truly a modern day marvel to me. ❤

        Liked by 4 people

  18. new podcast from US Grace Force: The Conspiring of the Malicious – How Do We Respond? with Michael Hichborn of the Lepanto Institute. Yes it is long but the most important part that brought a feeling of hope and the renewed decision to do what God has put in front of me is the 6 min. (3:45 to 9:45) reading of an excerpt from the latest newsletter: https://usgraceforce.com/grace-force-podcast-episode-73-the-conspiring-of-the-malicious-how-do-we-respond/
    This small segment also brings to my mind that we are loved by the Twelve Star General who always intercedes for us at the throne of her Son.

    Liked by 2 people

  19. Spot on Charlie. We were created for this time. Our King came to bear witness to the truth, all who are on the side of truth are able to hear his voice.

    Liked by 4 people

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Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.