Good article on being a good person AND a dangerous person, thoughts?

[Mike Ryan]

Good People Must Be Dangerous People › American Greatness

Universal and primal, few emotions influence our politics as fear does. The reason for this is simple. Politics is more or less the enterprise of adjusting social institutions so as to facilitate…

amgreatness.com

I believe we need more good people who are dangerous people. It's often said that it's the quiet ones you need to watch out for and it's true. Those who run their mouths are rarely prepared for real violence and those who are capable of true violence never run their mouths. My Ju-jitsu sensei once said "if they get in your face, walk away. If they chase after you, run. If they catch you, kill them." He was only half joking.

This is the follow up article to the one above...

Individualism and the Protection of Innocents

Not long ago, I discovered that an article of mine caught the attention of David Brooks, the New York Times’ token Republican and a partisan hack who, given his tireless cheerleading for the GOP under…

amgreatness.com

 

[Supersubes]

Agreed. Jordan peterson has a lot to say about this topic.



Lol, just finished the article, the author mentioned him.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

You cannot call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of great violence.

If you are not capable of violence, you are not peaceful. You are merely harmless.

Only those who are capable of using violence, may be truly peaceful. -- Unknown

Sirhr

 

[sirhrmechanic]

It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war. -- Some probably well-known Asian guy.


Sirhr

 

[Texasflyer]

You cannot call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of great violence.

If you are not capable of violence, you are not peaceful. You are merely harmless.

Only those who are capable of using violence, may be truly peaceful. -- Unknown

Sirhr

Ahhhh sound logic. The old, if its priceless its worthless approach.

 

[Maggot]

You cannot call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of great violence.

If you are not capable of violence, you are not peaceful. You are merely harmless.

Only those who are capable of using violence, may be truly peaceful. -- Unknown

Sirhr

A known guy said, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Notice he didnt say the 'weak'.

Here's another quote addressing a paragraph from the article, with a warning, one Ive had to deal with in my own life. Theres a point where becoming a monster gives on a feeling of great power and as we know, "Power tends to corrupt".

" to become the monster that he may need to become in order to slay the monsters that prey upon the vulnerable—whomever these monsters happen to be. "

"“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee.” F. Nietzsche

 

[sirhrmechanic]

A known guy said, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Notice he didnt say the 'weak'.

Here's another quote addressing a paragraph from the article, with a warning, one Ive had to deal with in my own life. Theres a point where becoming a monster gives on a feeling of great power and as we know, "Power tends to corrupt".

" to become the monster that he may need to become in order to slay the monsters that prey upon the vulnerable—whomever these monsters happen to be. "

"“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee.” F. Nietzsche

One of the things that I always felt made America great, different and special...

Is that when George Washington could have been made a king, a potentate or a dictator, the warrior who secured our independence over England rejected those offers. And, more importantly, willingly stepped aside after two terms, setting a precedent that would last until progressive/socialist/communist/champagne liberal Roosevelt felt he was too important to step aside in 1940.

Now I actually like FDR. And think he was the right man in the right time for the right job... But it took a socialist to break the tradition started by Washington and start to create a 'political class' which would not stand aside before being captured by the abyss.

And an abyss filled with filth and water is known, in common usage, as a swamp.

America's DNA is about NOT being captured by the Abyss. The current scum who consider themselves our leaders (not the representatives and servants of "We the People" are everything Washington fought to prevent... and refused to accept for himself when he was offered a kingdom. And created a Republic.

Deep thoughts considering I've been mowing in the sun since the early hours.

Sirhr

 

[Maggot]

One of the things that I always felt made America great, different and special...

Is that when George Washington could have been made a king, a potentate or a dictator, the warrior who secured our independence over England rejected those offers. And, more importantly, willingly stepped aside after two terms, setting a precedent that would last until progressive/socialist/communist/champagne liberal Roosevelt felt he was too important to step aside in 1940.

Now I actually like FDR. And think he was the right man in the right time for the right job... But it took a socialist to break the tradition started by Washington and start to create a 'political class' which would not stand aside before being captured by the abyss.

And an abyss filled with filth and water is known, in common usage, as a swamp.

America's DNA is about NOT being captured by the Abyss. The current scum who consider themselves our leaders (not the representatives and servants of "We the People" are everything Washington fought to prevent... and refused to accept for himself when he was offered a kingdom. And created a Republic.

Deep thoughts considering I've been mowing in the sun since the early hours.

Sirhr

I think you missed my intent. Must be the sun. Have a cold one, or two, or 6, and get back to me.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

I think you missed my intent. Must be the sun. Have a cold one, or two, or 6, and get back to me.

Not at all... I think your intent was right on!! The meek (not the weak) are the ones who should prosper.

And for the abyss... it is really hard for those who achieve the pinnacles of power to not be captured by that power and, themselves, become evil.

Washington epitomized that spirit. It's what makes America different. Or is supposed to. Others who came later... did not recognize that relinquishing power takes far more strength than grasping it to the last breath....

Maggot, your post was 100 percent on point!

Sirhr

 

[oneshot86]

You cannot call yourself peaceful unless you are capable of great violence.

If you are not capable of violence, you are not peaceful. You are merely harmless.

Only those who are capable of using violence, may be truly peaceful. -- Unknown

Sirhr

I like that

 

[Texasflyer]

"Compromise is the essence of diplomacy, and diplomacy is the conerstone of love"- Dr. Henry killinger

 

[Maggot]

Not at all... I think your intent was right on!! The meek (not the weak) are the ones who should prosper.

And for the abyss... it is really hard for those who achieve the pinnacles of power to not be captured by that power and, themselves, become evil.

Washington epitomized that spirit. It's what makes America different. Or is supposed to. Others who came later... did not recognize that relinquishing power takes far more strength than grasping it to the last breath....

Maggot, your post was 100 percent on point!

Sirhr

Thanks. That cold one must have chilled you out.

For those not familiar with the life of Washington, let me here recommend a book we both have read, which gives a great insight to the man who, if any qualify for the title, deserves 'Greatest American': and There have been so many great ones, like all those we honor this weekend but without GW there would be no America.

As to the abyss, its really impossible to know it without having gazed in and having done so be changed forever. Those who havent gazed in have no idea.

God Bless America, protect her, protect and keep her on a righteous path.

1. His Excellency: George Washington is a 2004 biography of the first President of the United States, General George Washington. It was written by Joseph Ellis, a professor of History at Mount Holyoke College, who specializes in the founding fathers and the revolutionary and federalist periods.
   

   His Excellency: George Washington - Wikipedia​

   

   Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

   en.wikipedia.org
   His_Excellency:_George_Washington

 

[pmclaine]

It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war. -- Some probably well-known Asian guy.


Sirhr

Probably @Blue Sky Country

 

[sirhrmechanic]

"Compromise is the essence of diplomacy, and diplomacy is the conerstone of love"- Dr. Henry killinger

Killinger???

If you mean Kissinger... I met him when I was a teenager. I was working as a bellman at a hotel here near Schloss Nitrocellulose when the Center for Strategic and Intl. Studies held its conference here. Bob Dole was there, too.

It was the week when I suddenly became politically aware.

After hours, Kissinger was always down at the bar. Surrounded, not by other conference attendees, but by us plebian bellmen, bartenders, waiters and busboys who listened, entranced, while (in gravelly sotto voice while totally swacked on vodka) regaled us with his tales of opening China and negotiating with Vietnam. At the time, I had no idea how much history this guy was part of...

Also that weekend, I had to drive Sen. Dole to the airport at the end of the conference. He asked me "where do the locals eat breakfast?" I told him where the farmers and locals eat and he said "Take me there for breakfast." We got there and I was planning on waiting in the car. He asked me "What did you have for breakfast, son?" I said "Coffee and toast." He said "That's not breakfast. Come in with me and have breakfast. That's an order."

So we sat and had breakfast. And I saw a master work a room. And part of the mastery was having a 'local' teenager who everyone knew sitting at his table and showing what a 'man of the people' he was.

I had two takeaways... 1. He had no paralysis of his arm like showed off during presidential campaigns. He used two hands like a breakfast Ninja. So I understood political theater from that moment. 2. He understood how to put people at ease... to work a room. To be everyone's friend and to listen. And to ask 'little people' what they were thinking. But while also understanding that he could take that information and use it.

To this day, I revere Kissinger. And Dole. They were swamp creatures. But they taught me a huge amount of 'how' to read and work with people no matter what your station in life.

Leadership. It's not commanding. Or being above people. Or being able to bark orders. It's about understanding folks. And empathizing. And listening.

One of the greatest leadership lessons: Take a boot lace and try and push it. It folds into a FUBAR ball. Now tug on it.. and lead it. And it is a nice, organized straight line that will follow your hand anywhere. That's leadership. Vs. Management. You can't manage people into war.

Sirhr

 

[Texasflyer]

Killinger???

If you mean Kissinger... I met him when I was a teenager. I was working as a bellman at a hotel here near Schloss Nitrocellulose when the Center for Strategic and Intl. Studies held its conference here. Bob Dole was there, too.

It was the week when I suddenly became politically aware.

After hours, Kissinger was always down at the bar. Surrounded, not by other conference attendees, but by us plebian bellmen, bartenders, waiters and busboys who listened, entranced, while (in gravelly sotto voice while totally swacked on vodka) regaled us with his tales of opening China and negotiating with Vietnam. At the time, I had no idea how much history this guy was part of...

Also that weekend, I had to drive Sen. Dole to the airport at the end of the conference. He asked me "where do the locals eat breakfast?" I told him where the farmers and locals eat and he said "Take me there for breakfast." We got there and I was planning on waiting in the car. He asked me "What did you have for breakfast, son?" I said "Coffee and toast." He said "That's not breakfast. Come in with me and have breakfast. That's an order."

So we sat and had breakfast. And I saw a master work a room. And part of the mastery was having a 'local' teenager who everyone knew sitting at his table and showing what a 'man of the people' he was.

I had two takeaways... 1. He had no paralysis of his arm like showed off during presidential campaigns. He used two hands like a breakfast Ninja. So I understood political theater from that moment. 2. He understood how to put people at ease... to work a room. To be everyone's friend and to listen. And to ask 'little people' what they were thinking. But while also understanding that he could take that information and use it.

To this day, I revere Kissinger. And Dole. They were swamp creatures. But they taught me a huge amount of 'how' to read and work with people no matter what your station in life.

Leadership. It's not commanding. Or being above people. Or being able to bark orders. It's about understanding folks. And empathizing. And listening.

One of the greatest leadership lessons: Take a boot lace and try and push it. It folds into a FUBAR ball. Now tug on it.. and lead it. And it is a nice, organized straight line that will follow your hand anywhere. That's leadership. Vs. Management. You can't manage people into war.

Sirhr

That is fascinating.... utterly fascinating. Killinger is a charachter from a cartoon show i watch. He is modeled after kissinger but as a bad guy who really isnt bad. It seems some people dont really live much of a life, and others live several at once. You sir have had it interesting.

 

[Maggot]

Swamp creatures, perhaps.

Bob Dole earned his place with his blood.

Henry earned his as well.

Bob Dole - Wikipedia​

en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Bob_Dole
Robert Joseph Dole (born July 22, 1923) is an American politician and attorney who represented Kansas in the U.S. Senate from 1969 to 1996. He was the Republican Leader of the United States Senate during the final 11 years of his tenure, including three nonconsecutive years as Senate Majority Leader.

1. Henry Kissinger - Wikipedia​

   en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Henry_Kissinger
   Kissinger was born Heinz Alfred Kissinger in Fürth, Bavaria, Germany, in 1923 to a German Jewish family. His father Louis Kissinger (1887–1982) was a schoolteacher. His mother Paula (Stern) Kissinger (1901–1998), from Leutershausen, was a homemaker. His brother, Walter Kissinger, was born in 1924.

 

[BullGear]

What's a good or a bad person? I guess it depends on your perspective.

 

[Mike Ryan]

Killinger???

If you mean Kissinger... I met him when I was a teenager. I was working as a bellman at a hotel here near Schloss Nitrocellulose when the Center for Strategic and Intl. Studies held its conference here. Bob Dole was there, too.

It was the week when I suddenly became politically aware.

After hours, Kissinger was always down at the bar. Surrounded, not by other conference attendees, but by us plebian bellmen, bartenders, waiters and busboys who listened, entranced, while (in gravelly sotto voice while totally swacked on vodka) regaled us with his tales of opening China and negotiating with Vietnam. At the time, I had no idea how much history this guy was part of...

Also that weekend, I had to drive Sen. Dole to the airport at the end of the conference. He asked me "where do the locals eat breakfast?" I told him where the farmers and locals eat and he said "Take me there for breakfast." We got there and I was planning on waiting in the car. He asked me "What did you have for breakfast, son?" I said "Coffee and toast." He said "That's not breakfast. Come in with me and have breakfast. That's an order."

So we sat and had breakfast. And I saw a master work a room. And part of the mastery was having a 'local' teenager who everyone knew sitting at his table and showing what a 'man of the people' he was.

I had two takeaways... 1. He had no paralysis of his arm like showed off during presidential campaigns. He used two hands like a breakfast Ninja. So I understood political theater from that moment. 2. He understood how to put people at ease... to work a room. To be everyone's friend and to listen. And to ask 'little people' what they were thinking. But while also understanding that he could take that information and use it.

To this day, I revere Kissinger. And Dole. They were swamp creatures. But they taught me a huge amount of 'how' to read and work with people no matter what your station in life.

Leadership. It's not commanding. Or being above people. Or being able to bark orders. It's about understanding folks. And empathizing. And listening.

One of the greatest leadership lessons: Take a boot lace and try and push it. It folds into a FUBAR ball. Now tug on it.. and lead it. And it is a nice, organized straight line that will follow your hand anywhere. That's leadership. Vs. Management. You can't manage people into war.

Sirhr

My favorite leadership quote is "leadership is getting people to do what needs to be done because they want to do it.". Absolutely different than management.

 

[LawnMM]

 

[Powder_Burns]

 

[Mike Ryan]

A known guy said, "The meek shall inherit the earth." Notice he didnt say the 'weak'.

Here's another quote addressing a paragraph from the article, with a warning, one Ive had to deal with in my own life. Theres a point where becoming a monster gives on a feeling of great power and as we know, "Power tends to corrupt".

" to become the monster that he may need to become in order to slay the monsters that prey upon the vulnerable—whomever these monsters happen to be. "

"“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee.” F. Nietzsche

I think that one's nature largely determines if they will become the monster they fight. I've seen plenty of guys come to learn so they could fight. Fighting is for children and these guys never lasted more than a few weeks. Admittedly, my experience is very limited. I suppose if you fight the monsters day in and day out, you could become lost between good and evil. I still think ones true character will win out in the end. At 55 I still may be naive.

 

[RGStory]

Leadership. It's not commanding. Or being above people. Or being able to bark orders. It's about understanding folks. And empathizing. And listening.

One of the greatest leadership lessons: Take a boot lace and try and push it. It folds into a FUBAR ball. Now tug on it.. and lead it. And it is a nice, organized straight line that will follow your hand anywhere. That's leadership. Vs. Management. You can't manage people into war.

Sirhr

Reminded me of this:

"The essence of loyalty is the courage to propose the unpopular,
coupled with a determination to obey, no matter
how distasteful the ultimate decision. And the essence of
leadership is the ability to inspire such behavior."

-Lieutenant General Victor A. Krulak (USMC)

 

[RGStory]

I think that one's nature largely determines if they will become the monster they fight. I've seen plenty of guys come to learn so they could fight. Fighting is for children and these guys never lasted more than a few weeks. Admittedly, my experience is very limited. I suppose if you fight the monsters day in and day out, you could become lost between good and evil. I still think ones true character will win out in the end. At 55 I still may be naive.

I believe Maggot is referring to something deeper.

This scene from Apocalypse Now, encapsulates the concept quite well:

"Well, you see, Willard, in this
war, things get... confused out there.
Power, ideals, the old morality,
and practical military necessity.
But out there with these natives,
it must be a... temptation to be... God.
Because there's a conflict in every human heart
between the rational and the
irrational, between good and evil.
And good does not always triumph.
Sometimes, the dark side overcomes
what Lincoln called the better
angels of our nature. Every man
has got a breaking point. You
have and I have them. Walt Kurtz
has reached his. And, very
obviously, he has gone insane."


A leader requires two things to combat the darkness:
"First, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead." - Clausewitz

 

[AKMarty]

Many are capable of some sort of action.
“A fighter fights because of what is in front of him, a warrior fights for what is behind him.” - GK Chesterton

 

[acudaowner]

don't be anything other than who you are " YOU" for good or bad you are they only you you will ever be .

unless you wanna wear dresses and change your name to sally then please send pics everyone needs a good laugh from time to time . Best of luck the future is yours

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

Good People Must Be Dangerous People › American Greatness

Universal and primal, few emotions influence our politics as fear does. The reason for this is simple. Politics is more or less the enterprise of adjusting social institutions so as to facilitate…

amgreatness.com

I believe we need more good people who are dangerous people. It's often said that it's the quiet ones you need to watch out for and it's true. Those who run their mouths are rarely prepared for real violence and those who are capable of true violence never run their mouths. My Ju-jitsu sensei once said "if they get in your face, walk away. If they chase after you, run. If they catch you, kill them." He was only half joking.

This is the follow up article to the one above...

Individualism and the Protection of Innocents

Not long ago, I discovered that an article of mine caught the attention of David Brooks, the New York Times’ token Republican and a partisan hack who, given his tireless cheerleading for the GOP under…

amgreatness.com

We need more good people who aren't afraid to call out Insane ideology, and harmful thinking, and this "woke" insanity stuff... Everyone is too afraid that their business will get hurt, or some other bad thing will happen as a result, and thus, all of the good people with good sense (majority) stay quiet while this insane minority takes over.

I understand certainly, why that fear is there. It's there for a reason and likely there will be a price to pay. However, we got here by being quiet, and "not wanting to cause a scene" ect... the only way back from here is by doing the opposite of what got us here! I realize it's easier for me to do this in Alabama, than for a business owner in say "New York, or Oregon " , but the alternative is to continue down this path of social destruction, by continuing to do what we've been doing....