Here we go again! Some of you dear readers are a little miffed by some of my posts. I can say that that is unfortunate. I can also say that I don't really care. I care about my readers. I don't care about what others think of me though. This is my blog. I write for therapy. A few others have written here but it is mostly me Burning Bush. I do not write to offend. Burning Bush is also my military callsign. Military call signs are a rite of passage for many who serve in the Armed Forces. Call signs are unique names used to identify one another during radio communications. Sometimes the call signs are random, and the moniker results from cobbling shortened names, abbreviations, and nicknames. Sometimes a call sign reflects an unusual experience or embarrassing moment witnessed by those who decide call signs. However, in some situations, call signs are assigned daily to positions and used during radio communications. The personal call signs, which are nicknames, are used extensively in most military branches. Typically, a person does not choose their military call signs. I just had to go off on call signs though this post isn't just about call signs. The point I was trying to make as I went off on call signs was this blog is basically mine. It is almost exclusively my opinion. So I can see why someone might call me violent. As I've explained before, this blog is not my life. I've been the Elders Quorum President for the past year. I've been married to the same wonderful girl for over 40 years. I have many children, now all out of our house. We have 2 still at BYU-P finishing their schooling. I have over 20 Grandchildren. I have a dog, a cat, and chickens. Occasionally goats. I have a job at a federal facility although I'd like to retire in the next few years. I have a life. I don't shoot for a living. I shoot a lot, but not usually daily. I was in combat many years ago but have not been in a defensive altercation since. I am not in the military but work for the military. I know a lot of this is vague, but I try to keep it that way for privacy reasons. I'm just trying to put across that away from this blog I have a regular life. Guns and shooting is a part of that life, but violence does not enter into my life very often. If it does, I am prepared. But it rarely does.
Some members of the Church think violence is avoidable. If you live outside the U.S., Canada, or parts of Europe you would be more familiar with violence. In my military experience I did not see Europe or the Middle East. My experience is South and Central America. I've seen enough of other countries to know that many parts of the world are well acquainted with violence. Yet some progmos out there happen to come across my little blog. They have that lovely judgmental attitude that many progmos or exmos have. They accuse me of being a monster that pushes others to become monsters. They seem to despise those who would defend them. They have never needed defense so they can't see the need for defenders. That is OK. I can understand that point of view. But they will sing a different tune if someone invades their home.
As I said in a similar post May 20th 2020...
"I’ve been tied to several fringe LDS “organizations” because of my politics and my penchant toward violence. Well, let one of them say that to my face, I’ll fillet… wait maybe they’re right.
All of the above was said in jest. Someone or maybe several someones, have put me on the same page as so called “Mormon Militants.” Because of my hero Porter Rockwell (I have some other heroes, my Dad, Bruce R McConkie) and my love of guns I am now a part of #DezNat. I had never heard of Deseret Nation (They say it’s like “Red Sox Nation”) before being accused of being part of them. I’m not much for Twitter so I’m not surprised I didn’t completely understand #Twitterstake, antimo, exmo, or progmo. Now I’m up to speed. Back in June (June 18, 2019) I wrote an article about bringing back Danites. I guess that coupled with some of the other things I mentioned above put me on the fringe of “violent” members of the Church. Let me set a few things straight right here and now.I do not believe in breaking the law or Church policy. (Though I think I’ve broken both)
I do not belong to a militia.
I feel that doing evil in secret, including violence, is tantamount to a secret combination.
I sustain our Prophet and the Brethren as God’s mouthpiece.
I have strong personal feelings about homosexual and like behavior that I deem my private opinion. But I do not agree with ostracizing anyone and there is a place for everyone in this Church. Although, I do not believe doctrine should be, or will be, changed to make someone feel better.
I do believe that many ex-members of this Church are bent on destroying it. I am a defender of it!
I am too “in your face” and “close and engage” and am trying to keep that in check.
I am also not so dedicated to the internet that I would trade my blog for my membership. If I get out of hand and am asked to stop, I will. I am not a Kate Kelly or a Sam Young.
I am devoted to my family. God, Family, Country, in that order.
I suffer from PTSD but am dealing with it. It has never controlled me and it does not define me.
I took an oath to defend this country from all enemies foreign and domestic. I take that oath seriously.
I do not belong to a political party though I know I am Conservative.
I do not trust my government (I have been part of what I see them capable of) or the media (they lie, lie, lie!) But I have been in enough other countries to know that our government, while imperfect, is the best thing out there.
I also believe that happiness is zero at fifty."
• “Defenders of the Family Proclamation” -Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, April 2015.
• “A Defense and a Refuge” -President Boyd K. Packer, October 2006.
• “Yes, We Can and Will Win!” -Elder Ulisses Soares, April 2015
• “Where Do We Stand?” -Elder Mark E. Peterson, April 1980
Some of what I have said in other posts is echoed in JP Bellum’s explanation of what #DezNat is. So I guess I can see why I have been equated with the hashtag. Although I agree with some of this I am not affiliated with this hashtag or anything like unto it. I am also not a militant Mormon. Sometimes my aggressive attitude might be considered militant at times, but really, I’m a marshmallow with a 9mm. Label me what you will. I may seem aggressive but it’s nothing more than poking the bear. I won’t attack unless provoked. I believe in a strong defense. Then again, I also believe that the world and life is cruel and you can wring your hands in “wo is me” or you can “suck it up cupcake!” I prefer the latter. I also think that we can be kind but not a push over. Being firm is often mistaken for militant by people who have a hard time with hard things. Safe places are for those that get hurt at every turn. We create our own safe places. I call them “green zones”.
Maybe some movements, organizations, or hashtags may seem to agree with my politics or ideology, but I only belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and am a citizen of this great country. I am a husband, a father, a grand-father, a father-in-law, a son, a veteran, and a priesthood holder. I do my best to live as a follower of Christ though I know I fall short."
Check 6
Burn
I enjoyed the explanation. You and I could almost be twin sons of different mothers.😜
ReplyDeleteI always wanted a twin brother!
Delete