Against All Enemies

‘I, …, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign 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 duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.’ (US Code: Title 5, Part III, Subpart B, Chapter 33, Subchapter II, Sec. 3331)

This is the oath I took when commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in 1995 and three times since in conjunction with promotions. I tend to agree with Abraham Lincoln who opined that no “transatlantic military giant” would ever invade our country and take over our government. Rather, he said, “if [danger] ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” (Lyceum Address, January 27, 1838)

I’m sure that many who took the oath of office often ponder on the concept of a “domestic enemy” to the Constitution. Thus far, the Army has never called on me to support and defend the Constitution against a domestic enemy. I imagine that insurrection or rebellion of some kind will be the only conditions under which they will do so. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that an armed insurgency will not likely spring up within our borders, at least not during the remainder of my military career.

Yet, the Constitution has always been in need of supporting and defending against fellow citizens who wittingly or unwittingly erode its foundations through political and/or social action. As a citizen first, pledging allegiance to the flag, and a duly sworn defender of the Constitution second, I have attempted to do this my entire adult life. Now, with this same end in mind, I join the blogosphere.

Our Constitution is built on the premise outlined in the Declaration of Independence that all people “are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” If our Creator intended us to enjoy these rights, it follows that depriving or taking away any of these same rights is an evil pursuit. At least this should be the logical conclusion of anyone who has faith that a Creator did in fact endow us with certain unalienable rights.

The bible details a strategy used by Michael and his angels to prevail over evil pursuits: “ And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels…And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (KJV Revelation 12:7-11)

I follow the same strategy, as I understand it, in my efforts to defend the Constitution from all enemies. First, I strive to follow the will of my Creator according to the dictates of my own conscience and importune Him that the blessings of liberty will endure in this land. Second, I unabashedly profess my belief that our Constitution is divinely appointed and that all political action must be consistent with the preservation of our aforementioned unalienable rights. Again, I am initiating this blog as another means to accomplish this. Finally, I am ready to die in defense of the Constitution if it comes to that, and have already sworn to do so.

I’m sure that there are many domestic enemies of the Constitution who purposefully pursue its demise. Lacking a crystal ball, I doubt I will be able to name many of them. Regardless, I don’t have any illusions that my efforts can bring about a change of heart in such, whoever they are. Therefore, my purpose is add my voice to what Samuel Adams described as the “…irate, tireless minority keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men,” to motivate the persuadable portion of our population to embrace Constitutional principles recognize what actions endanger them.

The direct result of Constitutional erosion is a decrease of liberty. Our Constitution will never collapse all at once, but rather by degrees. As frogs boiled alive by slowly heating up water, so can Americans find themselves serving a despotic government unless wide-eyed patriots resist all efforts that will weaken the Constitution and fight to repair damage already inflicted upon it. As a defender of freedom, my writings will center mostly on themes relating to our divinely established rights. These fundamental concepts undergird our form of government and are an important lens through which to evaluate the issues of our day: e.g. abortion, national defense, self-defense, social programs, expansion of government, and even foreign policy.

I urge all defenders of freedom to demand Constitutional justification for all political action, existing policy and law. Likewise, where justification does not exist, I urge you to demand that your representatives take action to abandon or reverse such measures. Further, I recommend that you make every effort to center all political discussions and debates on Constitutional principles. In military terms, we call this Mass, Economy of Force, and Simplicity.

(cross posted at redstate.com)