“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their Houses, and Farms, are to be pillaged and destroyed, and they consigned to a State of Wretchedness from which no human efforts will probably deliver them. The fate of unborn Millions will now depend, under God, on the Courage and Conduct of this army” — Gen. George Washington, to his troops before the battle of Long Island
This quote is taken from the Oathkeepers website. I’ve been aware of them for a few weeks now, but am now finally getting around to doing a post on them. As the name implies, the Oathkeepers believe in keeping their oath to uphold and protect the Constitution. Their oath is in ten statements shown here.
- We will NOT obey any order to disarm the American people.
- We will NOT obey any order to conduct warrantless searches of the American people, their homes, vehicles, papers, or effects — such as warrantless house-to house searches for weapons or persons.
- We will NOT obey any order to detain American citizens as “unlawful enemy combatants” or to subject them to trial by military tribunal.
- We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a “state of emergency” on a state, or to enter with force into a state, without the express consent and invitation of that state’s legislature and governor.
- We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty and declares the national government to be in violation of the compact by which that state entered the Union.
- We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.
- We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.
- We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to “keep the peace” or to “maintain control” during any emergency, or under any other pretext. We will consider such use of foreign troops against our people to be an invasion and an act of war.
- We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies, under any emergency pretext whatsoever.
- We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.
Here is more from their website.
Oath Keepers is a non partisan association of currently serving military, peace officers, fire-fighters, and veterans who will fulfill our oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, so help us God.
Our oath is to the Constitution, not to the politicians, and not to any political party. In the long-standing tradition of the U.S. military, we are apolitical. We don’t care if unlawful orders come from a Democrat or a Republican, or if the violation is bi-partisan. We will not obey unconstitutional (and thus unlawful) and immoral orders, such as orders to disarm the American people or to place them under martial law. We won’t “just follow orders.” Our motto: “Not on Our Watch!” or to put it even more succinctly, in the words of 101st Airborne Commander General Anthony McAuliffe at the Battle of the Bulge, “NUTS!”
There is at this time a debate within the ranks of the military regarding their oath. Some mistakenly believe they must follow any order the President issues. But many others do understand that their loyalty is to the Constitution and to the people, and understand what that means.
The mission of Oath Keepers is to vastly increase their numbers.
We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of our own troops.
Help us win it.
This, in my opinion, is an outstanding development. I am pleased to see that many Americans are choosing to take on the responsibility of actually keeping their oath to protect and uphold the constitution. While that comment may sound sarcastic, that is not the intent. As we all are aware, we are watching an unprecedented attempt by our own government to water down, or outright eliminate many of our individual freedoms. Distrust of the government, particularly at the federal level, is at all time highs. I personally take great comfort that there are people in positions of responsibility willing to take this oath.
I would have to assume that taking this oath might come at some personal risk. Given the federal government’s stance that anyone who disagrees with the POTUS is a terrorist, these people are facing probable investigation. Given the extent to which government officials visit this blog (thanks Stat Counter), it’s not a stretch to believe that the government would also check on the online activities of people that take this oath. Also depending upon the scenario, people taking this oath, and as well as depending upon their employment or service, they could face job loss, imprisonment, court-martial, or other punishments for upholding their oath. These people are taking their oath seriously, perhaps at personal risk to themselves. If you know an Oathkeeper, thank them and support them. If you are in a position that may one day require you to participate in anything described in the Oathkeeper’s statements, please consider taking the oath yourself. Just know that you will have made yourself some powerful enemies in the process.
Do you favor the restoration of our Republic?
Do you dislike the nanny state?
Do you believe that our Constitution should be followed?
Have you joined the RESISTANCE? .
Be part of the solution!
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Good to see the Oath Keepers getting some positive exposure. Groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center are trying to paint them as “right wing extremists,” and therefore “dangerous,” and mainstream media (like CNN and NBC’s Chris Matthews) is doing everything it can to help them.
If SPLC has its way, the Pentagon will ban service members’ participation in Oath Keepers.
Keep up the good work.
Welcome Kurt, and thanks for the comment. That seems par for the course for the SPLC. They ought to stick to looking at real extremists, rather than folks that insist on keeping their oath.
I suspect that for every one that signs up on Oat Keepers that there are dozens if not hundreds or thousands that are prepared to protect America’s Liberty. If I have seen one thing this year it is the mobilization of Americans to use peaceful means to re-found our government. Still there is an undercurrent of unease that I suspect will surface on short notice. May God grant us all wisdom.
I have that sense as well Ken. The people at the top are in for a rude awakening, first at the ballot box. I think standard party politics as usual is over. I just hope all the groups, protesters, and others keep the heat on both parties to restore this Republic. I know I’ll do my part.
I plan on doing a post on wisdom, patience, and not giving the left the initiative.
I would have joined if it were not for one thing. They wanted money. I fail to why they can not simply ask for donations to cover costs rather than charge a membership fee. I’m all for the idea, but I fail to see why they need my money.
That’s odd Trestin. I might just have to email them and ask. Thanks for tipping me off regarding this. If I get a response, I’ll post it.
I am an Oathkeeper and former US Marine in south Florida. In response to Trestin about us needing money, presently we have a drive going on and our goal is to get a care package into the hands of every US Soldier. The care package consists of a copy of teh Constitution, The Bill of Rights, a DVD explaining the former and a few other items. Our goal is to reach , teach & inspire. Many younger soldiers have never read our founding documents. How can they take an oath to defend the Constitution when they don;t know what it even says. That is our goal…and unfortunately…it takes money! Please join and or donate. Thanks so much to all American Patriot’s.
Robert R.
USMC
Semper Fi
Thank you Robert. First, for your service, and for your response.
I forwarded this post on to my twitter followers. Thanks Matt, this is important esp. given what the libs are doing to Americans by unconstitutionally encroaching on our rights by forcing us to buy their health care plan
Thanks Dennis. The left doing their creeping usurpation of our rights. It’s good to know that we have folks watching out for us.
The Oathkeepers are a great group. We need someone to uphold the constitution, since the pResident and all his minions are so busy shredding it! Thanks for posting this Matt, and making more people aware of this fine group. A big Bunni Thank You to all the Members, Semper Fi & GOD Bless America.
Thanks Bunni, and seconded on the well wishes to those who serve.
This is a great organization. If you’ve left the military or a police force, you should belong.
I agree, however, I think that active duty folks can join. They are the one’s that might be ordered to do something that violated the Constitution.
Indeed, truth.
I’m an Oath Keeper in Wisconsin. Everyone is very correct when saying there are folks trying to paint Oath Keepers as a ultra radical, racist militia group and directly linking it to terrorist groups. SPLC is probably the worst.
SPLC has been in overdrive spewing their vitriol about the Oath Keepers. They have gotten Christian Science Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1127/p09s02-coop.html) and NPR have jumped on the bandwagon this week. Several newspapers were running a SPLC press release masquerading as a news story last week.
As for the costs, it’s a $30 membership. I’ll gladly give them that to help keep the word spreading.
Liberty!
Larry
“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President or any other public official save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. Every man who parrots the cry of “stand by the President” without adding the proviso “so far as he serves the Republic” takes an attitude as essentially unmanly as that of any Stuart royalist who championed the doctrine that the King could do no wrong. No self-respecting and intelligent free man could take such an attitude.”
– Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) 26th US President
Thanks Larry, for posting and having our backs!
Larry, thank you for being there. Thank you for clearing the propagandist cloud from so many eyes. The Founding Fathers knew what they were doing, they foresaw the possibility of what this nation has become, and warned us of it. They also gave us the tools to fix it, if only we pick them up and use them. Both in the legal sense, and the physical sense should that fail.
You have read my post, yes? And seen Oath Keepers in my blogroll? These people are straight up telling it like it is, and it warms my heart.
http://cmblake6.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/this-is-the-oath-many-of-us-have-sworn/
That site so well quantifies the meaning spoken of. Superb post, Matt.
Thanks! I hadn’t seen your post, but I will check it out later.
Thanks for supporting Oath Keepers. I only recently discovered them and I plan to tell my stepson about them ASAP. I intend on encouraging him to join Oath Keepers as he is a navy nuke aboard the USS Harry S Truman. I suspect he will be very willing to join.
I also want to give my most deeply felt thank you to all those who have and do serve in the military of the United States of America. GOD bless you all.
Seconded Clifford! And thanks for your comment.
I remember coming across the oathkeepers website before. The military men and women who pledge this oath are honorable and deserve the utmost respect for taking their military oath seriously. We need to get as many servicemen and servicewomen to sign this so that we can a chance to fight back against this tyranny being forced upon us. I will post this and H/T your site.
Thanks Teresa, I’ll also add you to the blogroll.