By AlaskaWatchman.com

In biblical times, there were Jonah and Jeremiah. In the 19th and 20th century there were John Quincy Adams, Clement Vallandingham, Anthony Comstock, Smedley Butler, Joseph McCarthy and Robert Welch. In more recent years, Joe Scheidler, Randall Terry, Michelle Bachmann, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Ron Paul and Donald Trump. In Alaska we have Lora Reinbold, David Eastman and Schaeffer Cox.

Who are these people? Depending on your politics, they are sitting in either the Hall of Fame or Wall of Shame. Some were vilified in their own time, others by historians. All of them attracted a large following, some still do. But the engine of propaganda has worked, or is working, to massage the “official record” to basically either permanently discredit them, or force most of their supporters to distance themselves.

They were not perfect. Who is? Some became overconfident and overblown in their importance which contributed to their own fall. Others were led into a carefully prepared and intricate trap. Some came to accept their lot and learned to ignore the censure served up to them.

But they also have one thing in common: they had principles and truth that needed exposure for the public to see. They did not enjoy saying what they had to say, yet they entered the cauldron because of an invisible Voice and a Guiding Hand called them to do so.

The Truth looks at the long game and acts for our own edification, while lies play for the short term and our ultimate demise.

The prophet Jeremiah had this to say about such times:

O Lord, you have duped me, and I let myself be duped. Thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am a laughingstock daily, everyone mocks me. For since I spoke, I cried out, “Violence and spoil!” But the word of the Lord was made a reproach and insult unto me, daily.

Then I said, I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. Yet His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am groaning, and am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.

I hear many whispering, “Terror is on every side! Report him! Let’s report him!” All my trusted friends are waiting for me to fall, saying, “Perhaps he will be deceived; then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.”

Most of the characters mentioned above, the contemporary ones, still await the so-called “Verdict of History.” But even for those whose reputations have been destroyed, a higher Judge is the only one that counts. Reputation is what man thinks of you. Character is what God thinks.

Most readers will not recognize all those in the list above. If you find information on them, especially through “mainstream” sources, they will not be complimentary. Most, however, receive at least a grudgingly brief acknowledgment that their actions and claims had some merit. Every one of these people were, or are, subject to ridicule and absurd caricature, yet their names persist. Their supporters risk ridicule merely for siding with them. And what was the message?

Consider first what it is not: the messages are not trying to foist upon society a novel understanding of human nature. Rather, a criticism of it.

Tyranny cannot stand dissent. It survives through the maxim “Conform or die.”

But today’s “court-approved prophets” are telling us the opposite: that the unborn child is a “commodity,” and its humanity is dependent upon some ethereal and changing definition. They tell us that men can become pregnant, that there is an infinite number of gender identities being discovered every day, that paper money is authentic wealth, that the earth is cracking in two, that elections are true and fairly conducted, that all white persons are born racists, that Green energy is perfectly affordable and capable, that pro-lifers and Christians are terrorists, that Covid came from monkeys, that masks help to prevent its spread, that the Covid jab is perfectly safe and effective, that man is a blight upon the planet, that we can create new hybrid species through genetic engineering, and that there is no such thing as the Deep State, nor a conspiracy of mega-wealthy globalists.

On the other hand, the message of the modern Jeremiah’s is a critique of human nature and our unwillingness to hear unpleasant truths. They point out that there are murderous people masking themselves as friends of humanity, that there is a Deep State using its own citizens and foreign countries as straw men to strike fear through their propaganda, that it hires provocateurs to guide and encourage violence, that there are mad scientists given the power of government, that there is a conspiracy of wealthy globalists who are drunk with power, that our government has long been infiltrated by foreign enemies, that all established news networks are manipulated for one narrative, that the Constitution has long been warped and broken for nefarious purposes by various presidents, that the Natural Law of God cannot long be suppressed and that we are risking a nuclear cataclysm.

These are not popular themes, but Truth is its own reward. Medicines and cures are usually sour. Lies are sweet tasting lollypops that provide childish distractions. The Truth looks at the long game and acts for our own edification, while lies play for the short term and our ultimate demise. How many of their warnings given just three years ago have proven to be true? How many from the “court-approved prophets” have proven to be lies?

As time passes and the prophets are eventually grudgingly admired, the usual face-saving retort is, “Well OK, they were right. But their methods were wrong and obnoxious. If only they had more skill at style points.”

This loses sight of the fact that style points do not grab people’s attention. Jesus was not “nice.” He overturned tables, made seemingly mad and impossible claims and predictions, scolded the powerful to their faces, and was betrayed because of that.

The default position of today’s conservatives ought to consider that the purveyors of lies are – in almost all cases – found in the daily newspapers, radio and television networks and their online blogs. They accuse opponents, who dare to challenge them, of being liars. And usually, the allegedly conservative “leadership” caves in when principles must be defended.

Tyranny cannot stand dissent. It survives through the maxim “Conform or die.” While we still have freedom of speech, it is obvious that it is slipping away quickly – but our own Jeremiah’s are using it while they still can.

Even if it once was, Alaska is no longer an island of sanity. But this is our corner of the garden, and the weeds must be pulled.

And thank God that we have weed pullers. We all might consider their message with closer scrutiny.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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OPINION: Vilifying truth-tellers in Alaska and beyond

Bob Bird
Bob Bird ran for U.S. Senate in 1990 and 2008. He is a past president of Alaska Right to Life, a 47-year Alaska resident and a retired public school teacher. He has a passion for studying and teaching Alaska and U.S. constitutional history. He lives on the Kenai Peninsula and is currently a daily radio talk-show host for The Talk of the Kenai, on KSRM 920 AM from 3-5 pm and heard online radiokenai.com.


29 Comments

  • Friend of Humanity says:

    Thank you for this article Bob. I so agree about Lora Reinbold, David Eastman and Schaeffer Cox. I am frustrated with the reps like Kevin McCabe (and there are other reps!) that have the audacity to speak negatively in public about these folks. Kevin McCabe says that we need to work across the aisle to get things done…well, Kevin, how about working with your own group first and foremost? Our conservative party is supposed to be working together to save Alaska. If you are not working together to save Alaska, you are working with the globalists. Those of our party that are getting viciously attacked by their own constituents and the public are the ones aggressively working to save our state and our country! God bless those in the House and the Senate that are taking arrows for Alaskans.

    • Theresa says:

      evin McCabe says that we need to work across the aisle to get things done…well, Kevin, how about working with your own group first and foremost?

      This is an excellent point that applies to more than McCabe.

      “Reaching across the aisle” is synonymous with “compromise your position into oblivion while you excoriate your allies.”

  • Ruth Ewig says:

    This “right on” essay of truth needs to go beyond Alaska. It thoroughly sums up the human condition.

  • Citizenkane says:

    Smedly Butler was a raging lunatic and a filthy progressive. Read “Maverick Marine”.

  • Ivan Hodes says:

    Clement Vallandingham, who objected to the Civil War because it was a “war for the Negro?” My God, Bob, could your white supremacy be any more bovious?

    • Bob Bird says:

      I don’t think you read the essays in totality, Ivan, but cherry-pick them for your own purposes. You also have a very limited education about American history. You are, as usual, in over your head. Read it again … these were not perfect men and women. Lincoln wanted to DEPORT blacks to Central America, and as late as 1864 when he called in black ministers to share his ideas in that regard! Vallandigham correctly pointed out that Lincoln was arresting people who merely opposed his policies, conducting military tribunals against sitting congressman for the same “crime”, and inventing punishments — banishment from the country — as well as utilizing asset forfeiture, rigging elections with soldiers from out of state. No one disputes it. Lincoln himself admitted he was violating the Constitution.

  • Yetitrax says:

    Nailed it with this one.
    Thanks

  • Heath Fitzhugh says:

    Well said, thank you

  • Bob Bird says:

    Of Smedley Butler: twice winner of the Medal of Honor. Did you know that? The totality of a man’s life is going to have some embarrassing moments. Think of your own. I’ve had mine. Naturally, the historians who want to discredit his claim that the US gov’t and military is under the thumb of big corporations is going to try to make him look ridiculous. As the column said, these are imperfect people that were listed, who nevertheless had the courage to speak out on what they KNEW to be the truth.

  • DaveMaxwell says:

    Thank you Bob , maybe you remember, but my name is DaveMaxwell. You invited me to talk on your radio program about 2 years ago. I was interviewed by you because I began a petition to demand a forensic audit of the 2020 election! In that interview I also told you that I was a previous state of Alaska employee who was retaliated against for whistle blowing, and subsequently fired!
    I’m great full for your article and also for the rare person who stands for truth at great cost to themselves! One last comment, people who act motivated by their character are much different than people who act motivated by expedience! Cost to self will rarely be felt by the latter!
    Thank you again!

  • Mary says:

    In Ezekiel 33, God talks about those who sound the alarm (whistleblowers). He talks about what happens to those who don’t blow the trumpet and those who do not listen. It is a chapter we all should be contemplating. Thanks so much Bob and Dave for repeatedly blowing the horn (shofar). Keep it up, at the sound of the horn some may listen and wake up.

  • DouglasCummings says:

    Of all matters that face scrutiny and investigation (or to many a critical spirit), what directly influences a person’s receptive “filter” is WORLDVIEW. Most assuredly, when removing the supremacy of God from home and community, the godless worldview and life often carries roots in selfishness, greed, and self-centeredness (ego-centricity). Responses manifest from tyrannical motives, control, and power mongering. Contrary to this is the God-fearing Worldview and Life, which seeks to accomplish one desire: Glorify God and enjoy Him forever. It seeks no harm to others, takes no offense from ill-conceived words, and cares not about status or power. It remains humble, kind, and loving

  • DaveMaxwell says:

    A heartfelt thank you Mary!!!!

  • Sharon says:

    This is why Donald J Trump is hated by so many! He can’t be bought or bribed!! Thank you to all Truth Tellers!

    • Lucinda says:

      You just made my liberal head explode!

    • Theresa says:

      Well…there is that tiny issue of “Operation Warp Speed”…and Trump’s continued defense of the jab…and allowing Fauci front and center instead of Dr. Atlas…a few cracks in the ivory, these.

    • jon says:

      Is that why he and his family grifted money from the US while he was president? Why he continues to grift his followers? Why Jared got 2 billion from the Saudis? Why he had classified documents and refused to send them back? Why he rolled back train braking regulation? Oh, that Donald Trump.

      • Friend of Humanity says:

        jon, keep spewing your lies to try to rewrite the truth. Truth wins in the end.
        Theresa, we are in war. I don’t know Trump’s reason for these things. We certainly will be finding out the truth. If sh*t hits the fan and we all die, then we’ll know that Trump was not working for us. In the meanwhile, turn your focus on good things that the people are doing and keep your head in the good fight.

  • Sharon says:

    Thank you Dave Maxwell!! We needed a forensic audit of the election. Whatever happened with that? I never heard.

    • DaveMaxwell says:

      Well Sharon God bless you and your welcome!
      Whatever happened to the forensic audit? Kevin Meyer is what happened! I blame dunleavy as well and am determined to publicly question him on a myriad of blatant things he and his administration have done to Alaskans that I believe were corrupt, misleading, and deadly! He is no conservative!!!

      • Better to go forward says:

        No, a lot of patriots know that whatever the outcome of an electoral race that the so called winner will side with whatever media scum will ask them on show. No way to enact God’s law here or there too

      • Friend of Humanity says:

        Better tgf, you have that wrong. Patriots who work for the people are winning seats and they are exposing the dark. Yes, there are still Rinos winning seats as we have seen in our House and Senate and this is so unfortunate. People like Rep Eastman are standing up for the People of this state and his actions are bringing out the demons that he has to work with. People of Alaska, you need to be involved to help get rid of the crooked scums and we need to vote in every election!

  • Lucinda says:

    Friend. Based on your Trump Denial Syndrome and your willingness to believe that a woman can become pregnant without intercourse and dead men live again, I do not think you have the intellectual sophistication to warrant credibility.

    • Friend of Humanity says:

      Lol The left always projects what it is really feeling, saying, and doing. God bless you Lucinda. I pray that you get over your TDS one of these years soon.

  • Lucinda says:

    Friend: Sorry, I’m not letting filth like that into my brain.