May 14, 2014

Stay Silent

By Tammy Derouin

Intimidation by all levels of government should be a concern to everyone.  I was absolutely appalled when I saw the news footage of a concerned father being escorted out of a board of education meeting in Gilford, New Hampshire.  What was his crime?  He was concerned about his daughter’s education.  His 14-year old daughter was assigned to read a book that had very explicit sexual content.  He voiced his concern but he went beyond the two minute time allotment.  Because of this violation, he was escorted out of the building and then arrested.

While watching the footage, I kept waiting for one of the other parents to say something.  I could hear the words coming out of me.  Stop, what are you doing?  This is wrong.  He is asking a question.  Sadly, the other parents just sat there and ignored what was taking place.  Why did they sit there?  They were afraid to voice concerns about their children’s education.  They were afraid to stand up and support a fellow parent with a genuine concern.  Not wanting to be labeled a trouble maker, and face the possibility of being arrested for speaking, they chose to stay silent.

The 14-year old girl, Marina Baer, didn’t stay silent after her father, William Baer, was escorted out by a police officer.  Marina told the board, “I just watched my father get arrested because he broke the two minute rule, at a board of education meeting.  This just shows that you resort to force at the first turn of conflict and I am appalled.  So I don’t trust you.”

A 14-year old girl had more courage than all the parents at the meeting.  Americans are being conditioned to stay silent.  Speaking out against the actions of the government has become a crime.  Americans are accepting their role as sheep.

The government knows exactly what it’s doing.  Intimidation is a powerful weapon.  What’s important to you?  How will the government use it against you, should you not comply?  The IRS scandal is a perfect example.  A group of people who do not share the vision of the current administration was targeted by the government.  The truth began to surface.   The evidence became more incriminating.  Yet we have a president that states, there wasn’t even a “smidgen” of corruption taking place at the IRS.  The House of Representatives voted to hold Lois Lerner in Contempt of Congress for refusing to answer questions on her involvement in the IRS scandal.  I think there’s a smidgen of evidence against her.  However, we are about to hit a brick wall.  The case now goes to the Department of Justice.  Attorney General Eric Holder will decide if his department will prosecute her.  I’m not feeling very confident that justice will be served. 

   

Eric Holder is also in Contempt of Congress for withholding documents relating to Fast and Furious.  The president has assembled such an honorable administration.  It’s so clear too.  You just have to get past the muddy murkiness and move forward.  Just keep hoping for change.  Be sure to be specific on the type of change you are hoping will take place.  It does matter.   

Of course, evidence on the Benghazi cover-up continues to grow.  The administration’s answer to this scandal, and every other scandal which has taken place, is to tell more lies.  It’s infuriating that such a corrupt president and administration continues to survive and get away with so much deceit.  It’s unbelievable that Benghazi doesn’t appear to have any effect on Hillary Clinton’s possible run for president.  If she wins, maybe she will appoint Obama as Secretary of State. 

The thing about the truth is that it doesn’t follow a program or adhere to a timetable.  The truth will eventually surface.  The corruption will be exposed.  Will it be too late to save our country?  We have a decision to make.  We can peacefully stand against the corruption or we can blindly accept it and all the consequences.  Eventually, some underhanded method of getting the job done will have negative effects on everyone, even those who toe the party line.

Be careful what you cheer for and support.  When dealing with corruption in any setting, a friend today can easily become an enemy tomorrow.  The target you are so willing to place on someone simply because you disagree with them will eventually find its way back to you.

Freedom shouldn’t be treated so carelessly.  Trading it for any type of security will only enslave you.   

“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out.  Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out.  Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out.  And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer