December 26, 2018
By: Linda Case Gibbons, Esq.
Once upon a time, there used to be "characters." People who colored outside the lines.
They were the types who shook things up. Or at least made life worthwhile with their spunk.
Unfortunately that made them fair game. No way did those in charge like having these people around. And why would they?
They were the ones who changed things, no matter the personal cost.
Our Founding Fathers were such men. So was Jesus. And other Patriots. People with a larger plan than winning the next "Election."
These are Grand Souls, who come around once in a Blue Moon.
Men who are not content to don the gray uniform of conformity. Who accept that when the cock crows thrice, there might not be anybody there for them.
Ben Franklin and Co. were fully aware of all of that when they signed the Declaration of Independence.
"We must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately," Franklin said. And he was right.
Try to get out of a contract with England, and it's called treason, and treason was punishable by hanging.
Yet 56 men signed the document anyway, John Hancock in large, flowing script, so, he said, "King George could read it without his spectacles."
Were they men with personal traits that were objectionable? Skeletons in some of their closets? Did they tweet too much? Possibly.
But none of that could detract from their bravery.
Mahatma Gandhi fought for India's independence from British rule; Lech Walesa and his Solidarity Party led a union strike that changed the world, which led to the Communist Party being displaced in Poland.
Jesus Christ was put on trial after angering the Sanhedrin, and was turned over to Pontius Pilate.
Gandhi and Walesa were both thrown into jail. Walesa endured years of harassment by the secret police. And, of course, Jesus was put to death. These men were persecuted for their actions, precisely because their actions would change everything.
It's never easy to stand firm for what you believe. To stand apart from the crowd. But some do. When others won't.
Brian Kolfage, a triple-amputee veteran and Purple Heart recipient, launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to build The Wall.
"President Trump's main campaign was the Build the Wall, and he's followed through on just about every promise so far," Kolfage said. "If the 63 million people who voted for Trump each pledge $80 dollars, we can build The Wall."
As of Monday, "We The People Will Fund the Wall" has collected $16.5 million dollars, received from 272,000 donors.
And it didn't go unnoticed.
Transgender military vet Charlotte Clymer started a competing GoFundMe to raise money for illegals seeking asylum in the U.S.;
A Washington Post reporter tried to shut down Kolfage's fund, claiming the fundraiser discriminated against Latinos;
And ABC evening talk show host Jimmy Kimmel mocked Kolfage's donors. He told viewers that Trump might not need Congress to fund The Wall, because "very dopey people are ready to pay for it themselves."
"You have to admire the sacrifice they're making," Kimmel added. "I mean a lot of these people are dipping into their meth money for this."
Courage stands out in bas relief. So does jealousy and meanness of spirit. And the rewards are not fast in coming for Patriots, the ones who have their eyes on more than fundraising and winning the next election.
The "Characters" with character.
Am I drawing a parallel to President Trump and his bold stand on The Wall? His decision to shut down the government despite the political consequences?
Yeah. I am.
Am I disdainful of his detractors? The ones who promise to use their elected-to-Congress status as a cudgel to prosecute and persecute our president? You bet.
The reality is that there are those Grand Souls, who come around once in a Blue Moon.
Am I saying President Trump is one of them? Willing to risk it all for others? I am.
So when you speak about Donald John Trump, friend, you better call him Sir.
Hold the line, America.
Where We Go One, We Go All
Happy New Year!