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Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Douglas MacKinnon :: Townhall.com Columnist
Book Acts as Barometer Measuring the Fear of Obama
by Douglas MacKinnon
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A little over two years ago, my novel depicting a conservative revolution from within the United States against the ”liberal onslaught eradicating traditional America,” was released. It is entitled “America’s Last Days,” and did quite well in the bookstores and on Amazon.com.

The reason I bring it up again (which seems counter-productive as I now have a newer novel in the bookstores), is to report some interesting feedback which may or may not act as a measurement of concern or outright fear of the Obama administration and the European Welfare State the left-leaning President seems intent on replicating within our borders.

Right after Barack Obama was elected, I was flooded with emails from those who had already read the book, or who had just gotten it. The tone of the majority was shock, with a number saying, “My nation no longer exists,” or “I can’t believe we just elected a committed Socialist,” to “The mainstream media succeeded in deceiving the American people,” to “Your fictional characters need to come to life.”

After a couple of weeks of fairly frequent and decidedly nervous emails, the traffic slowed and then stopped. Either the tiny universe of those interested in the book and were willing to email had been exhausted or, people were taking a wait and see attitude hoping against hope that Obama might actually choose to govern from the center.

From the middle of November until about the middle of February, I received no further emails from readers worried about Obama and looking for answers from within the pages of a novel. Then, come mid-February, the emails started again. It was almost as if those willing to give the new President the benefit of the doubt had seen enough and were crying out for a fictional solution.

As I have stressed in the past and will say now to Attorney General Eric Holder and the left-leaning political appointees of his Justice Department, “America’s Last Days” is a work of fiction. Period.

As to why the novel may resonate with some Americans who believe in God and traditional values, below you will find two excerpts:

The first excerpt relates a conversation that takes place between the former Director of the FBI and the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The two men lead The 1776 Command. The fictional conservative militia portrayed in the novel. These two men believe the United States of America is in a death spiral from which it will never recover. As such, they believe it is their duty to act.  

““How did we get this way, John? Why are they forcing us to do this terrible thing?”

“Why did the Roman Empire crumble, sir? Complacency, ignorance and lack of a moral compass. They lost it all because they took the things that really count for granted. They became fat, lazy, and sinful. They were overcome by lust, greed and a gradual lowering of standards. The United States of today is exactly the same. We have lost our moral compass. Our country has become more classist, elitist and separatist. Political correctness prevents us from targeting the enemy within our own borders who harbor the very Al Qaeda terrorists who attacked us. We can’t protect our own borders with Mexico and Canada. In a country that is over eighty-five percent Christian, those very same Christians can no longer say ‘Merry Christmas,’ and can barely celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We’re on the verge of a race war, our inner-cities are on the brink of collapse, our educational system is a joke, teachers are not held accountable, affirmative action has destroyed trust and self-esteem, the growing rich are walling themselves off from the ninety-five percent of other Americans, our politicians are all corrupt, stupid, taking bribes, or shunned by the few honest ones. Our Armed Forces have been weakened by a succession of short-sighted Presidents…We’re still killing the unborn at record numbers, the nation is about to elect yet another liberal President. Liberal messages in television, the movies, the news, and on CDs are polluting the minds of our young people. So much so, that they have no respect for themselves, tradition, what’s right, or their elders. Illegal immigrants by the hundreds of thousands protest in our streets for rights they have not earned, and then boycott honest businesses…””

The second excerpt is from much later in the novel and is a conversation that takes place at the White House between the former Director of the FBI and the President of the United States:

““Thank you, Mr. President. While I fully understand that my presence here today, and what I’m about to tell you, is very surreal, let me assure you that myself and General Bates could not be more serious. Quite frankly, we believe the United States of America is broken beyond all repair. We believe that the liberals in our government, in the media, and in our schools and universities, have made things so twisted, that what was once the United States of America, no longer exists…we believe…that a new nation must be formed. A nation that will be imbued with all that our Founding Fathers dreamed would be the bedrock of the United States of America. We believe that when you have over fifty thousand college professors and tens of thousands of high school teachers all across this nation, brainwashing our young people with the sick notion that all that is wrong with the world is the fault of the United States, and that our way of life is the enemy, then all is lost. We believe that when thousands of violent street gangs kill, rape, and deal drugs with impunity on our nation’s streets, then there is no more law and order. And to rectify that omission, a new order must be created…We believe that the terrorists of the world will continue to target our once great nation. After September 11, 2001, we had a long grace period where they didn’t hit us. Then two years ago, we lost twenty thousand people in Chicago. Last year, another ten thousand in Los Angeles…Not only has our country changed for the worse, but the world is, I think, quite literally, going to Hell. Pakistan and Turkey have elected Islamic fundamentalists to rule their countries. Through Pakistan, the fundamentalists now have nuclear weapons. India is preparing for an all out nuclear war with Pakistan, and Iran, even after a joint attack years ago from Israel and the United States, has still managed to develop nuclear weapons and mate them with short range ballistic missiles. Chaos and twisted ideology are now the norm in many parts of the world. Most European nations are waving the white flag in the face of the existing and growing threats within their borders. As these threats to America have multiplied, the leadership of The 1776 Command patiently looked at the Congress of the United States, and waited for them to lead. Tragically, we saw nothing but a morally bankrupt institution that spews more partisan hate and pork with each passing day. The vast majority of Members have long since stopped representing the best interests of their constituents, to focus on their own self-indulgence. Rome was lucky, Mr. President. They only had one Nero to stand by and fiddle as the city and the culture burned to the ground. We in the United States, have 535.””

Once again, this is a work of fiction. That said, I wanted the reader to decide if the members of this militia are patriots or traitors. To decide if what they are contemplating is High Treason, or saving a nation from itself. And, if such a super-militia did exist, how would the United States of today deal with such and elite and dangerous group?

As an author, I was just trying to tell a story, make people think, and create conversation. As an American, I’m intrigued by the number and the timing of the emails I’ve gotten regarding this book.

Could it be that these readers and their reasoned but frantic emails, represent the canary in the coal mine? Is the nation envisioned by our Founding Fathers and revered by Americans who do believe in traditional values, truly in a death spiral?

Where will we be four years from now? Reality is often much more scary than fiction.

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About The Author

Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official and author of the forthcoming novel, The Apocalypse Directive.

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hard to tell
When Bush was elected many on the left reacted in the same way, although with a little less insanity (what exactly does he think happens to people who say merry christmas? I don't live in the most religious part of the country and yet I hear the phrase all the time around Christmas, with no police involvement at all).

Of course the bad thing was that the things said about Bush mostly turned out to be true. So that aspect is worrisome.

05486761561556
“My nation no longer exists,” or “I can’t believe we just elected a committed Socialist,” to “The mainstream media succeeded in deceiving the American people,” to “Your fictional characters need to come to life.”

I can see that the pitch fork crowd of the right has been trained diligently for years. Lick your plates clean and get reading for another dish of red meat, marinated exclusively for your impressionable rabid appetite.

"As I have stressed in the past and will say now to Attorney General Eric Holder and the left-leaning political appointees of his Justice Department, “America’s Last Days” is a work of fiction. Period."

Haha! Obviously singing the "peaceful" armed revolt for too loud has some consequences: An unintended seditious incitement of violence. Now these rabid unctuous rabble rousers are scrambling in fear of their over the top rhetorics manifesting itself in a blood-soaked fabric of America. Just lesson to Glenn Beck nervously injecting into his dialogue that his "showmanship" is nothing but a facade and anyone who takes it seriously is an "idiot." Oh heck, the radical right has persuaded them to pile up on ammunition -- the next step would certainly reveal itself in some sort of mass armed robbery. How is that for prediction?

The founders of this nation
rebelled against a powerful centralized government, headed by a despot, who stole their labor and treated them as servants.

How is the current situation any different?

I should know better than to feed trolls
IQ29, shouldn't a secondary consideration to "No taxation without representation" be "no representation without taxation"? When the voting parasites outnumber the bill-payers then the US is doomed. (this is when 6 wolves and 1 sheep vote on what's for dinner.)

Oh, and if you look at the farthest right wing voices found on Townhall, you'll see that they didn't have an electable voice in the last election. We've voted on Rockefeller Republicanism (again) and it lost (again). That's hardly "right wing".

advise
Keep Your Powder Dry

Well, Lon
I had a job at a large American retailer during Christmas. You ask what can be done if someone says "Merry Christmas?" We were told that even if someone said "Merry Christmas" to us, we were only to reply "Happy Holidays." If we were heard saying "Merry Christmas", we would be terminated. Only in PC America.

Barack the Bully
This is an odd article. Who gives a rat's a** what Eric Holder thinks about anything? Has he decreed an end to the First Amendment? That POS called the American people cowards, remember? I'm not quite sure who is declaring war on who here. It seems to me that one Barack Obama has recruited quite a gang of thugs in an effort to subdue and overcome the founding principles, thus the citizenry, of this nation. Is this a legal thing for him to do? I think not. It seems that he seeks to instill terror and panic in order to control and coerce, thus I suspect he is a bully. The adults in this nation need to stop pandering to him, stop making excuses for him, and confront him. It would be optimal if the gutless, spineless, ball**ss, corrupt Congress would do so, but this I doubt. Perhaps Mr. Obama needs to begin receiving volumes and volumes of mail from a dissatisfied American public and needs to encounter massive numbers of protesters each time he appears in public. If he dares appear in public.

If a Super-Militia exists...
... I'll chuck everything and join in a heartbeat. Something has to be done and in a hurry. These super fast track moves to the extreme radical left are designed to be a blur so the millions of uninformed morons who voted for this fraud won't notice the changes until it's too late. We need to march on Washington and remind the crook politicians from both parties the three most important words in the Constitution just happen to be the first, We the People...

Frog Boiling
BitFit, you are right on. I believe many feel as you do. Barack Hussein oBUMa was elected by the dumbest, most ignorant, uncritical, unaware, mindless, thoughtless, celebrity-celebrating dip$hits ever to enter the polls. The deliberate and lengthy dumbing-down of America finally came to fruition with the elevation of Nobama to the highest office in the land.

The Evil One is now engaged in boiling frogs. Each day he turns up the heat under the pot a bit more, not enough for most to notice, and soon it will be too late for most to jump out of the pot.

A-M-E-R-I-C-A wake up --- the water is getting warmer by the minute - get out and start the fight for your lives and your country before you are left no recourse.....


Coming: The Fall of America
What do you expect? We've become a nation of fat and lazy people who think it's our birthright to have the state give us everything. We've forgotten our foundations. The people who voted for Obama are the kind of people who vote for American Idol. If he or she speaks (sings) well and looks good, well, he's a keeper!

Only a tiny proportion of Americans, sadly, know the history of the Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire. History--and the Universe--are implacable and the uneducated heirs to the greatest nation in the world are going to suffer the consequences of their ignorance and all their electronic gadgets and toys are not going to prevent a tsunami of misfortune for a country that forgot--and then abandoned--its heritage.

People today
2 Timothy 3:1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power.

Be very afraid
I wonder what the sequel will be?

Where do we go from here??
America has always been the last bastion of liberty and capitalism. If we continue on this trajectory, many who cherish liberty will have to leave. The problem is where could we go?

We all remember that Germany was a great nation in the late 19th and early 20th century. However, in retrospect, who would have stayed in Germany after 1933 if they knew what was coming in the next 12 years?

The problem is that the transition to socialism is very dangerous and in fact it could be more dangerous here than a country that has already transitioned to socialism. Our government is very powerful and the hammer could be hard indeed if directed on indivuduals. AIG executives may be the canary in the coal mine.

Quote of the day
It is shocking for a person, born and raised in a communist country, to be able to emmigrate to the best country of the world and 20 years later to witness the same communists, only this time speaking American English, to invade and destroy the only outpost against that societal cancer, COMMUNISM. I just cannot make myself grasp the idea my children and grand-daughetr would be the new victims, this time even in USA. Please, fight against the Left, the way we fought them 20-30 years ago.

Good column.
I read his book and found it very thought-provoking.

Also, keep in mind that Atlas Shrugged, 1984, and Animal Farm were all works of fiction. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.

Patriots
The patriots are forming as we speak and they are determined to save our country from disaster. To the left leaning socialist who are destroying us one bill at a time and provoking the Anger of God by their base immorality and turning their back on him, we will be traitors. However our constitution states in the 13th amendment that when ever the government goes rouge and stops serving the interest, safety and soveriegnty of the states and its citizens then the states shall delcare the government to be in default of it role and responsibility and shall replace it. I prefer the term strict Patriot Constitutionalist.

The members of your militia are patriots
And so are those of us who advocate over throwing Obambi and his socialist, illegal, regime. How do libs respond? Lets look at Wako - The libs will burn woman and children to death because they are to frightened to take on leaders. Or Ruby Ridge - They entrap innocent people with false charges and murder their wives and children. Or Eliot Gonzales - They kidnap children at gunpoint and send them to be abused by communist a dictator. I say kill ALL the LIBERALS and let Satan sort them out when they show up in Hell.

cavell
"Militias are what they've always been; a bunch of old white guys out in Montana trying and succeeding with astonishing ease to outnumber their IQs with firearms."

Your a perfect example of what the author is talking about.

I failed to
see the fiction in the writing.

If you have retained good dreams, keep them close because as these next four years unravel the realities of Socialism, it will be hell in America.

And you Liberals(socialist voters) aren't high ranking in the Socialist Party, then you'd better start recalling some of YOUR good dreams.

Keep writing, Doug! And Thanks!
I'd like to see some new chapters in your book. There is certainly enough going on to make it worth your effort!!
Has everyone seen the Thomas Paine videos on You-tube done by Bob Basso? He has brought some of what you are saying to life in his clips. They are well worth the time!!

The truth
The greatest book anyone can read is The Bible KJV at that.If you have any spirituality at all,you would have this sense that there is something very wrong in the nation.Day by day you read of things coming out of the Obama camp and it ain't good.Something I heard today was that Obama plans to put some of his people in GM to oversee the car making day by day.This in itself ought to bring up your antenna!He's is a socialist from the git-go!Chavez junior!

Smith and Wesson
keep it handy!

The Oath of Office
Commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of the United States take is to the Constitution, not the government, president or anyone else.
“I, (state your name), having been appointed a (rank) in the United States (branch of service), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foriegn and DOMESTIC; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

The survival of the Republic and America (The idea not the geographic nation) depends on whether or not the Military uphold their oath. Our Founders studied and researched all former republican governments and knew that internal threats were just as dangerous if not more so than external threats.

The purpose of the Constitution
When was the United States founded?

4 July 1776.

What is the founding document of the United States?

The Constitution of the United States . . .
wrong!!! wrong!!! wrong!!!

The Declaration of Independence. This document declares what America is and what we believe. It also establishes the purpose of the Constitution. What do we believe and what is the purpose of the Constitution?

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Secular or Religious Nation
The declaration of Creator and the idea that our Rights and Liberties come from a Creator in our founding document establish this as a Religious Republic.

The writings and quotes of our Founders prove this beyond a doubt. In 1798, John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."

George Washington wrote, "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens."

If we forsake our religious heritage, we forsake our freedom. Those who work to undermine these pillars are traitors to the Idea of America and seek to enslave their fellow citizens.

We can
do the things suggested above however, the ONE maor thing we must do is PRAY. I was just reading an article on line that spoke of the times of Elijah and how God shut up the heavens because of the sins of the leaders Ahab and Jezebel (I used to think that was Bill and Hill but now I've changed my mind, the new ones fit it much better.) Only Elijah's prayer would again open the heavens so rain would come down and the famine and economic duress end. There was only a remnant of believers at that time I I remember correctly. We have more than a remnant praying, all over this country there are Intercessors who have joined together or intercede privately..whatever the case we need
to start seriously seeking God's forgiveness and rescue. We are all bemoaning the fact that if something isn't done and soon, our Republic will be history..but with God all things are possible. I don't believe He is finished with us yet, but we are getting close, what we are experiencing is God's judgement on our rebellious nation. The election had a choice,
Life (Palin) or Death (Obama)..the majority however slim, chose death in the person of Obama. Believers must stand in the gap for our
foolish and selfish people, it won't be long before they will be seeking answers as their own pain increases. PRAY as in 2 Chron. 7:14

just something to think about
"...We see that [Obama], because he was a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away the hearts of many people...and [sought]to destroy the foundation of liberty which God had granted to them."

Just a little something that I read in another book and thought it applicable. It is true, if lesson are not learned from history, they are bound to repeat themselves.

It is also true, when the wicked rule, the people mourn.

Cher thought living through the Bush administration was going to kill her. Unfortunately, I feel that living under the growing noxious cloud of this new government will kill the whole nation.

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