Raz knew the camps were hopeless places where families would be torn apart, where people would starve from the limited or lack of food supplies, where they would freeze from the unnatural cold, protected only by what they had carried with them. He knew most of them would die an appalling death.
Every human right once guaranteed and protected by America’s two hundred twenty-five year old Constitution no longer existed within the dismal fences and walls of the camps. Or anywhere else in the country. Every ounce of dignity once cherished by free and unencumbered peoples of the greatest nation ever conceived in the history of mankind would suffer in the muck of anguish and distress. Every possible inkling of hope clung to by the frantic captives would be ripped from their clutches just as their homes and possessions and lives had been.
To every man, woman, and child, the centers were death camps, plan and simple. They were not unlike the gulags of inhumane wars in the previous century. They were similar to the concentration camps of history’s madmen determined to rule the world. They were comparable to the re-education centers of oppressive tyrants willing to kill millions in the name of ideologies and profits. They were reminiscent of the killing fields created by maniacal despots devising their own ill-fated destinies.
Raz did not want his friend Cody to know the truth. The young man’s family was locked in one of those hell holes and their final outcome was almost a certainty.
But Raz would have to tell him.
“Every one bein’ detained in ‘em camps is in one way or ‘nother considered a threat ta the new government,” Raz began his lengthy explanation.
Cody stopped him. “What new government?”
“Ya don’t think the people doin’ all this are good old American patriots concerned for the citizens of this country? Do ya? Ya think they follow the laws that helped ta create this land? The government we know, boy, is gone. Dissolved. Expired. A republic of the people, by the people, and for the people. Hell, that’s all over my, friend. Our Constitution is dead. Everythin’ the foundin’ fathers risked their lives and wealth and reputations ta establish is no longer in effect.”
“But….” Cody tried to talk.
“But nothin’,” Raz grumbled. He was getting pissed off just speaking his piece. “Ya of all people should know about the Constitution. Don’t ya teach it in that damn college of ya’s? You’re a history professor, for cryin’ out loud. A government for the people, the Bill of Rights, We The People, citizen representatives in the Congress, Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness, citizens’ rights. None of it matters no more.”
“But who is doing this?”
“Who?” Raz grunted. “Ya asking’ me who is doin’ this ta us?”
Cody looked on as Raz drove the Humvee slowly through the desert brush following what appeared to be a dusty, winding path. He really didn’t know who exactly was responsible for the crisis at hand. Not yet, anyway. But he had his suspicions of who was in the snake pit.
“Who do ya think ordered martial law as a means ta round up and control the American population? Wasn’t the Army. Wasn’t the Congress. Who do ya think wants ta take every single gun away from the citizens so they won’t have the ability ta protect ‘emselves from the very people who are supposed ta protect ‘em? Ain’t the good, law-abidin’ citizens. Ain’t the hard workin’ folk who just want ta be left alone ta live and ta provide for and ta protect their families. Who do ya think wants ta take God out of the equation? We’re a nation born under God. We live through divine intervention. Ya think the founders just came up with our Constitution by ‘emselves? Well, I don’t.
“Who do ya think has unmanned drones spyin’ on everyday people lookin’ for domestic terrorists? Ain’t people concerned with national security as we know it. Who do ya think has been disarmin’ our military and turnin’ the country inta a defenseless target for our enemies? Sure as hell ain’t patriots tryin’ ta defend our sovereign country and its people. Who do ya think is sprayin’ poisonous chemicals inta the air every damn day? Ain’t nobody who gives a shit ‘bout the people breathin’ in the lethal toxins causin’ unprecedented numbers of asthma and cancer cases and killin’ people. ”
Raz stopped to catch his breath.
“Who do ya think is destroyin’ our once thrivin’ economy by killin’ jobs, forcin’ industries out of business, and turnin’ over our technological secrets and economic advantages ta countries resolved ta destroy us both militarily and economically? Sure in hell ain’t our business people, our entrepreneurs, our fathers and mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers who want their children ta have a better life than they had. Who do ya think saved Wall Street and the large banks with our own tax dollars, only ta have ‘em turn on us? We had no say in the deceptive practices. Who do ya think caused the real estate collapse that wiped out the most valuable assets of millions of Americans, killin’ their dreams and future hopes and wishes?
“Who do ya think initiated that Common Core crap in the nation’s schools ta dumb down our youngsters so they’d be easier ta control and dominate, sedated ta the fact that the government and all its trappin’s would promote ‘learned helplessness’? Who do ya think lets our borders stay wide open ta encourage illegal immigrants and subversives, and drug dealers, and arms runners ta come on over. Oh yeah, and when ya git here we’ll show ya how ta collect welfare checks without workin’ and git free housin’ and food and medical help and schoolin’ and damn cell phones. Who do ya think’s payin’ for all that free shit? Ain’t nothin’ free.”
Cody listened, taking in all these issues. He was getting upset. Not at Raz, but instead, at the truths he was forced to acknowledge.
Raz continued his tirade. He was hot and ready to do something about it.
“And who do ya think bought more than two billion, that’s billion with a ‘b’, rounds of high tech ammunition ta control the American people? Sure the fuck wasn’t the NRA or the local cops, or the National Guard soldier down the street. Who do ya think handed over power ta the United Nations and the World Bank so they could coordinate their ultimate agenda over our country and the rest of the world?
“Who do ya think ran up the national debt ta over seventeen trillion dollars makin’ us virtual slaves ta foreign governments like mobsters holdin’ the note on our assets and collectin’ their vig every week? Who, by the way, just happen ta be our military and economic enemies. Who do ya think recruited hundreds of thousands of foreign troops ta handle the round-ups and executions of loyal American citizens ‘cause they knew most dedicated American-grown soldiers would refuse ta fire on their own if ordered ta?”
“But Raz,” Cody said, trying to stop him.
“I ain’t near done yet,” Raz blurted, shutting Cody down. “Who do ya think allowed foreign entities ta out right purchase our shippin’ ports and oil fields and power plants and manufacturin’ facilities and technology centers? The very things that are vital ta us as a nation. Who do ya think backs the major GMO food producers ‘cause the profits are astronomical and the kickbacks are beyond belief? Who do ya think is takin’ control over the national health industry, clearly one sixth of our entire economy, to divert even more money and control through the central purveyor? Who do ya think is plannin’ on eliminatin’ the U.S. Constitution all tagether, callin’ it a useless, out-dated document, soon to be replaced with a unilaterally written twenty-four hundred page decree aimed not at the freedoms of the people, but at the dictatorial control of those who are left?”
Cody didn’t know what to say. Much of this was new to him.
Raz wasn’t quite done. He left the worst for last.
“There’s more, my friend. And it does git worse. Who do ya think developed the National Defense Authorization Act or the Patriot Act allowin’ the military the right ta kidnap, interrogate, indefinitely detain, and even murder American citizens? Wasn’t nobody I ever voted for. Who do ya think established the Readiness Exercise of 1984, known as REX 84, givin’ ‘em the illegitimate right ta imprison good Amer
icans, like your wife and daughters and Nick’s family? All of this goes way back, my friend.”
Cody was in shock. How could all of this have happened without him ever hearing about it? How could he have been so uninformed, so unaware, so naïve?
“And finally,” Raz added to the heap of destructive news. “Who do ya think ever came up with the ultimate plan of domination, Agenda 21, which is bein’ implemented right before our eyes this very moment? It’s truly the demise of our great nation and all that we hold dear.”
Cody squirmed in his seat. Thousands of images rattled through his mind. His friend and associate Jonathan being killed on campus for what he believed. Old man Jack and his wife dying in their frigid bedroom at the mercy of evil forces. Thousands of his neighbors being kidnapped, traumatized, and perhaps even killed. And there were street riots, thugs on the loose, foreign troops patrolling the highways, armed gangs at road blocks, nationwide blackouts, buses full of people being relocated, shoot outs at the high school, secret detention camps, Raz’s underground bunker, Zeke being killed, Nick dying in his arms, him shooting and killing other killers.
But most importantly there were Robin and Jeffrey and Jennifer in the hands of some evil bastards. He would find and save them, and he would kill anyone who tried to stop him.
Cody returned to the moment. He asked Raz the same question again. “So, what do you think they’re going to do with the people on the buses?”
Raz turned to his friend and shook his head. “I think they’re fucked,” he blurted out.
“Yeah?” Cody mumbled.
“Unless we do somethin’ about it,” Raz added.
“Yeah,” Cody said.
Chapter 31
Raz was drained from his venting. He rattled off all the things which were bothering him about his country and its government and the way things were being handled far beyond the lawful parameters of the U.S. Constitution. It seemed the more he knew about the lies and deceptions and schemes scattered by the new order of leaders, the more aggravated and frustrated he became. Simply knowing what was happening in plain sight wasn’t enough. In fact, just being conscious of it was enough to drive him crazy.
He was certain there were many people like himself who were aware of the taking over of America by treasonous forces. But there were far more clueless citizens, like Cody and his generation, as to what was occurring. Two things would have to happen, Raz believed, if there were any chance in hell to change the course of American history.
The first was the non-believers, those who were frequently referred to as ‘low information voters,’ would have to learn of the grave situation they were in. It would be a monumental task to convince them of the dangerous state of affairs, particularly, at this moment, without any conventional forms of communication in operation. And, most of those in this group would sheepishly follow the recommendations of the governing forces in return for promised food,
shelter, and safety. They could not be relied upon as part of the solution.
The second option was more promising, though far more difficult to launch. All over the nation there were people in every region, every state, every city, town, and village, Raz was convinced, who would fight for their country and families. When push came to shove these truly independent, well-informed, self-reliant Americans would dedicate their efforts toward battling for their historically imbedded principles and personal freedoms.
Raz knew these kinds of people. He had worked with them his entire life. He had seen them fight for values instilled within them since birth. He had witnessed them die for what they really believed in. They were out there. Somewhere. Everywhere. The only obstacle was how to gather them into a counterforce to take back their country. It was a formidable undertaking. One Raz had absolutely no idea how to bring about.
Cody was on the verge of being distraught, worried for his family after what Raz had said about their capture. He took in several deep breaths to calm down and gain control over his rational thought process. Yeah. Some of what Raz had mentioned Cody had heard before. He knew of several of the disdainful policies set in place by the government. He was aware of some of the restrictions being placed on the citizens, in particularly in regards to the first and second amendments of the Constitution. But, at the time they seemed innocuous, hidden behind the obscure umbrella of national security or safety precautions for certain factions, like children, or police officers, or various ethnic groups.
He should have known better.
American history was a part of his makeup. He lived and breathed it everyday, teaching the battle scars of a developing nation, the triumphs and defeats of a people hungry for self-reliance, the heartaches and blessings of a diverse group of immigrants working individually and jointly to create a democracy where all people were supposed to be equal and all life was sacred. He had taught the proven pillars of American democracy: free will, self-determination, and rugged individualism—characteristics vital to a free people.
But Cody, like many educators, had forgotten the important lessons of our history. He had merely gone through the motions of teaching the hardships and sacrifices of early Americans striving for what the Declaration of Independence had been so valiantly based on:
the truths of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. He had lost his passion for the very principles he had devoted his life’s skills to. He had failed to inspire his charges with the sense of greatness, and the privileged fortune to be an American, and the fragile balance between democratic rule and government control.
Cody thought about his past actions leading to his future measures. He chastised himself for having failed in his promises to his vocation, his students, his country, his family, and especially to himself. It was time to turn around, to join the legendary men he had read about. It was time to stand and be like the early American heroes he had once revered and shared in their amazing stories.
It was time for Cody to become part of the solution rather than a piece of the problem.
He had often heard, and frequently said, that in a troubled situation somebody should do something about it. Somebody should try to fix it. Thomas Jefferson was correct in his assessment. ‘Bad things happen when good men do nothing.’ His neighbor Jack knew of it too. Cody stared at old man Raz. It was time for Cody to become that good man he wanted to be and do something about it.
Raz was struggling to keep the Humvee on the crooked path which occasionally dropped off into the adjacent dry wash. It was getting late into the night and he was growing tired. But he was more pissed off than fatigued.
Cody asked him, “Want me to drive for awhile?”
“Nah.”
“Come on, Raz. Time for you to relax a bit. Let me take over.”
Raz crooked his tense neck and gave in. “Okay, but when we git closer ta the camp I take the wheel again.”
“That’s a deal,” Cody agreed. They both got out and reversed seats.
“I’ve been thinking,” Cody said as he threw the Humvee into gear.
“That’s a good thing,” Raz mentioned. “Most people don’t take the time ta think.”
Cody nodded.
“ ‘Bout what?”
“About what you were saying,” Cody answered. “All those things you brought up.”
Raz said, “Scares the shit outta ya, don’t it?”
“Of course it does.”
“That’s a good thing, too. Makes ya take your head outta your ass and look around. If more people had paid attention ta what was happenin’ ta ‘em, we wouldn’t be in this god-damn mess.”
“I should have seen it, some of it anyway,” Cody said, ashamed at his lack of awareness. “I’m a history professor, for god’s sake. People who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. That was pounded into my head for years. I know what happens when we take our eyes off the ball, when we don’t speak up against what’s wrong, when we refuse to hold our leaders’ feet to the fire. History books are filled with the dire results.”
Raz rested in his seat watching the road. He listened to the young man coming to terms with himself.
“Everyday we lose a small piece of our lives, of our freedoms. We let them take from us, a little extra tax here, more regulations there, new laws when we’re not looking. We’re told it’s for our safety, so we say okay, because safety is good. Right?”
Raz smiled.
“We’re told it’s to protect our children, because every parent wants the best for their kids. So we sign on. We’re told it’s for a more secure nation, because there are terrorists under every rock. So we let them set up their road blocks and searches and nets. We’re told the government will care for us and the food is safe and the air is clean and the schools are good and the vaccines are necessary and coal is bad and climate change is caused by humans and small snails are more important than people and the polar bears are threatened and guns are evil and our enemies are our friends. And we say little.”
The smile on Raz’s face grew wider.
“And we line up like obedient citizens as our constitutional rights melt away one by one. If you say something against them you’re marked. You’re scorned by people around you because you cause waves. You get fired because you just don’t fit in the mix any longer. You’re persona non grata in your field because you are too difficult to work with. You get killed because you get too close to the truth.”
Cody glanced at Raz who was absorbing every word.
“And they never stop,” Cody ended. “They never stop.” An air of frustration caused his voice to waiver.
Raz smirked. He was getting to like this kid even more. The boy sounded a lot like him. He had a fire in his stomach, a burning passion. He had a strong sense of right and wrong, of moral principles. He was beginning to learn the truths hidden among all the lies and wanted to do something about it. Now, Raz realized, Cody had a purpose in life. People needed a purpose. They needed something bigger than themselves. He would save his family and his country at all costs. Raz had no doubt that Cody would succeed or die trying, and Raz wanted to be with him when he did.
Treasonous Behavior- in the Beginning Page 21