Update: More Info Added Here
There’s this discussion we on the right have from time to time. You’ve had it, I’ve had it. We talk about how the left gets things done that we don’t. They have more traffic. They have more funding. They do it better. The right, we say, does it wrong.
We have litany of reasons … bad use of tech by the party proper, failure to fund by the orgs on our side. Our side is full of people with real jobs. The list goes on, and the discussion eventually and inevitably sputters out unresolved.
Here’s a question. How many left-bloggers were part of the media stampede to Alaska to dig dirt on Palin? And how many right bloggers were investigating Obama in Chicago? Just think about that.
How about the stream of photos, videos, and muckraking from the funded lefty outfits like Talking Points Memo and Firedoglake? They have an avenue straight up to MSNBC and out to the rest of the MSM, and they’ve got backers, money and full time staff to do it. The left has an army online, whereas the right has a largely unfunded militia.
I know that many on the right have written proposals and reached out to our grassroots organizations for funding. We’ve even managed to produce a few startups, although we seem to have a problem with only funding ideas that hearken to traditional media. What we don’t have is the exact thing we need: some funded independent bloggers.
Independent bloggers find and push stories. They investigate the other side in a way the liberal press never would. Independent bloggers can push memes. They have the time to navigate the waters of all the social networking, sharing, and bookmarking sites. They correct bias in wikipedia. They comb lefty blogs for memes to stop. The funded independent blogger is vital to a successful right online, but they are rare, few and far between.
I’ve been blogging and writing online for many years. You guys know me at Redstate pretty well. I do a decent impression of an independent blogger, but that time may soon be at an end. I’m missing that one thing: funding. For a variety of unfortunate reasons what meager funding I’ve managed to scrounge has at last, and spectacularly, run dry. But I don’t want to stop what I’m doing. I thought about looking for a paid blogging position (as if they even exist, right?) or maybe looking to traditional media. But today, a very important end of the line day for me, something occurred to me. Maybe the big guys are never going to catch on to what the right needs online until and unless we can prove it. And what better way to do so than by fundraising my way to independence?
So that’s what I’ve decided to do. I know everyone would like to be an independent blogger, and if we can establish the idea I’m sure more can. But today I’m asking for you to choose to support me. Small donors, as we’ve all learned in the last few years, can make a big difference. And just a few independent bloggers that have a megaphone and the variety of skills needed can make a huge difference with the help of those donors. So please, if you agree, just click below to donate.
With the first round of funding (he says full of hope) I’ll be setting up a standalone blog. I’ll post my Redstate and AOL News articles there, as well as independent stories, as well as all my youtube content. Any 50 dollar donations (he says full of wild hope) will be memorialized on the home page of the new blog in a photoshop fake.
As an independent blogger, I’d not only try to catch Democrats behaving badly (as I did with Fowler) highlight the left on their turf (as I did at the DNC), but I’d also cover protests (which I’ve already been arrested for once), travel to the scene of the story, including abroad, and generally speaking: answer back. I’ll check wikipedia for accuracy, take note of trends as they develop and let you know. I’ll be an agent of, by and for the person Redstate epitomizes: a conservative online activist. We need this. And yes, I realize we need about 40 more of me, but I can only do one thing at a time. (Ahem: MoeLane.com … if you ever buy anything at Amazon without going through Moe Lane, then a pox upon you!)
The right always talks about taking advantage of tech. But tech on its own is just a machine. We need more advocates out there fighting every day. That’s what I plan to do. That’s my role. The fruits of those labors will mostly go to Redstate, but will also hit my new stand-alone, and reach outside the typical blogosphere through PoliticsDaily.com, where we have a huge audience.
So that’s the story. I hope you’ll embark on an adventure with me.
- Caleb Howe
formerly absentee
Moe Lane
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Dan McLaughlin
Let me be the first to hit your tip jar
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 4:03PM EST (link)and may your sails always be full.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
Any thoughts about long-term revenue streams?
silentcal40 Monday, March 23rd at 4:16PM EST (link)I don’t have much idea of how to go about it, but I would think certain independent journalists, like Michael Totten (not to mention Jeff Emanuel), could offer up some advice. They’re in a different category of independent bloggers, I suppose; your airms are those of a political activist and theirs are those of a journalist. But perhaps they could help connect you to editors of magazines and newspapers who would publish some of your work.
You could always start writing books, too, based on the work you do over a certain period. You’d be darn good at it.
“Nothing I never said ever hurt me.” – Calvin Coolidge
all good ideas
Caleb Howe (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 6:10PM EST (link)I’ve got a number of ideas on long term, not least of course, the standard streams ie. advertising. It’s important to me to be a blogger, not a journalist, as you rightly point out. I’m an activist. I’m working for the advancement of conservatives and republicans.
There’s a real need, I think, for some full time online activists on the right that is currently filled by, I don’t know, less than ten people?
I reckon longer term I’d expect to form a corporation wherein I and others essentially being bloggers is what we are in the business of doing. I have no illusion or delusion here about fame or fortune, but it’s evident, at least to me, that there is great need for people who are activists online, full time, on our side of the aisle, that is not being met.
Caleb Howe (formerly known as absentee)
Good luck brother, but I tell you one other piece of the puzzle we also need, and that is
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:21PM EST (link)a Fox News that will BE the Balance! and Drive the news rather than follow the NYT front page.
Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
Right?
Caleb Howe (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:54PM EST (link)That day will come.
- c
Caleb Howe (formerly known as absentee)
You got my Benjamin, Caleb.
Flagstaff (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 12:16AM EST (link)Consider it earned by what you will do. After 12 years of retirement, I go back to work this week, thanks to the fine job done by Obama on the stock market (and yes, my own shortcomings as well). Anyway, I don’t have a lot of those to throw around these days.
Rooster is right about the need for an anchor on the right. Fox News is not it. Ruppert Murdoch is interested in profits, not ideology. He found a way to profit from the Conservative vacuum in the US, but Fox News is factually fair and balanced, and therefore is no counter to MSNBC. It does seem to almost counter CNN, however, according to people who like CNN. MSNBC is mostly ineffective, anyway. Nobody but the KoolAid drinkers pay any attention to it, so don’t think I’m being critical of Fox News. The best thing they could do for us would be to remain an honest reporter of facts on both sides. That gives them credibility that the leftist press has lost.
Mike’s NYT comment has some potential. Another NewsCorp organ does have a chance to supplant the NYT as a news source amongst the myriad small outlets who aren’t really leftist, they just haven’t had any chance to hear the right side. That organ is the Wall Street Journal. The Journal, if it would convert its news pages to conform to its editorial pages, could be the answer to a source of news to replace the NYT. They are advertising like crazy. I’m about ready to subscribe, myself.
Meanwhile, you are joining some elite company–Thomas Sowell, Rush, George Will, Pat Buchanan, Bill Buckley, Victor Davis Hanson, Bill Whittle (when you can find him), I know I’m leaving out many, including some of the best, but unfortunately the list DOESN’T go on and on. Even I don’t think those names are equally talented, but they all have something to add to the conservative, or at least the intellectual, cause. You now are charged, my son, to go out there and fight and die for… oh, wait minute, let’s not go overboard. Star Wars or an old Bob Steele western this ain’t. (If you write a new Star Wars, cut us in, OK?)
Actually, if you can do half of what you have set out to do, you’ll be a success and someone we’ll be able to tell our grandchildren (if I live that long) “I knew him when!”
In closing (he writes), we have 70 years or more of a national turn to the left to fight. The mass of the MSM is so indoctrinated they think the left knight is in the center of the chess board. We have no conservative George Soros to fund dozens of right-wing front organizations. We have no Kennedy family to disintegrate before our eyes, either.
While you’re out there, make sure to punch the hippies every chance you get. Their mistakes are frequent enough, but we haven’t been taking advantage of their crises as we should. Don’t let them go to waste. And don’t follow the example of Newt Gingrich, who tonight repeated the term “the Bush-Obama bailout plan” or words to that effect. Never, never, NEVER concede an inch. We are far too ready to admit any small failing on our side. MAKE THE LEFTIES FIGHT FOR THOSE ADMISSIONS!
Ah, well, good luck. Break a finger or whatever they say on Fleet Street as a new venture takes the stage.
“The press is so powerful in its image-making role that it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”– Malcolm X, Audubon Ballroom, December 13, 1964
OK, I goofed.
Flagstaff (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 1:02AM EST (link)It was only a Ulysses. Hard to see with those little pixels.
“The press is so powerful in its image-making role that it can make a criminal look like he’s the victim and make the victim look like he’s the criminal. If you aren’t careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”– Malcolm X, Audubon Ballroom, December 13, 1964
There is need for conservative media proliferation
antisocial (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 2:08AM EST (link)Cable and internet presence is badly needed. So many reco’s on this post suggests that lot of people do feel the need for that.
However I have a suggestion. We should avoid all links to liberal sites as much as possible. I make it a point not to reference forward any cnn,huffpo dailykos etc. I instead search and get reuters / abc / drugereport links. Not always possible but we should do everything to avoid linking to these liberal outposts.
Obama Doctrine – Boot On The Throat
—————————–
What is to be done?
——————————
No. You can’t – Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
we need to have big conservative funds for bloggers
silentcal40 Monday, March 23rd at 4:24PM EST (link)and for new conservative television news and, perhaps, newspapers.
we complain a lot about the liberal/leftist media, but we don’t have an action plan.
we need conservatives to pool their money to create large trusts to fund bloggers like caleb and new media outlets on television (and maybe in print). and there could be scholarships for conservative journalism students, too.
i wish i knew how the heck to organize the effort myself….
“Nothing I never said ever hurt me.” – Calvin Coolidge
Who is our George Soros?
azaeroprof (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 5:17PM EST (link)I’m convinced that much of the leftist blogosphere is a money-laundering service for George Soros. I wouldn’t be surprised if as much as $250M or more of the $750M Obama raised came out of Soros pocket. I think he had an army of folks who took his money and made “small” donations under dubious names (since they weren’t checking!).
We can (and should) all pitch in to get a conservative funding base set up, but it’s hard to compete when you have a billionaire on the other side who has no morals or sense of shame in the way he distributes his money. We should do things in a legitimate way, but a few BIG donors who are smart enough to put their money in the right places would go a LONG way to evening the playing field.
(BTW, I ain’t that guy!!
)
I believe that about Soros also
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 5:28PM EST (link)Along with a few other fat cats. He is known to be the moneybags behind several high-profile left-wing groups already.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
Many conservatives could do the same thing as Soros
silentcal40 Tuesday, March 24th at 8:17AM EST (link)It is indeed hard to compete with such a rich man, but it can be done. We don’t need one billionaire; we just need about 25,000 conservatives willing to put up $1000 each to get started. That’s very possible.
The effort just needs to be organized.
And hopefully one such fund would spawn others.
“Nothing I never said ever hurt me.” – Calvin Coolidge
Use Libs own methods against them
whitman4562001 (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 12:01AM EST (link)Read “Rules for Radicals.” As they like to say about us… they too with their arrogance have paved their own path of defeat.
I have a website collecting dust..
speciallist (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 4:32PM EST (link)If there is someway for you to use it….let me know
I hear "Dust In The Wind" (Kansas) in my head now ;-) (nt)
JLenardDetroit (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 4:45PM EST (link)Regards from NoMoTown (the MOTORlessCITY)
“Liberals, looking to do for? America what they’ve done for? Detroit! which is DESTROY IT!”
“I think, therefore I am Conservative”
“Conservative by choice, Republican by necessity”
“You can lead a Liberal to the Truth/Facts, but you cannot make them THINK!”
“Romney [No, not my first choice] does NOT have a MORMON problem. He has a, far too many Americans; these days; are MORONS problem!”
Follow @JLenardDetroit
(RS:Help) (JLD) (Hollyweird) (Brain-deads) (SPIN-cycle) (Obamaocare) (Party of kNOw) (Conservatism) (TEApeats) (respectful) (message) (Warning: Children Will Die!!)
Heil “O” Hell No Obamao is NOT MY PRESIDENT! “No U won’t”
I want “O” to FAIL (here, here, & whole Diary (Ofail) here, is why)
“The first Liberal was Satan” – a Rush caller (other Quotes)
It's already got a great name
speciallist (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 5:50PM EST (link)liberalismisnotmainstream.com
He's already got the domain and host, SL
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 9:56AM EST (link)I offered one of mine too. It’s called ErickEricksonSucks.com.
Not sure why he did not want that. I’ve had some offers for over a million for it. Some guy who calls himself Seorge Goros. I’m not taking those offers, because you know what they say. Billion is the new Million.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
EPU...I bet Elaine Lucas would buy it for a billion....;^)...nt
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 9:59AM EST (link)conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
Yeah, she might
E Pluribus Unum (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 10:04AM EST (link)She’s a piece of work. And she’s probably taken in enough bribes and kickbacks in her day to cover it.
Kill the Terrorists
Protect the Borders
Punch the Hippies h/t IMAO
Ah, well, I'm broke
Steph C (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 11:05AM EST (link)That’s why I offered space. The server I got whether it’s being used up or not and it’s not with this economy. Heck, half the customers I have aren’t paying or are paying late.We still keep trucking in spite of that hoping that if we give them a break now, that when things pick up they’ll remember it.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
Darn!
Amy Miller (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 11:11AM EST (link)I was about to offer BobbyGibbsIsMyHomeboy.com!!!
“Progressive” is the new “sheeple”.
“I’m a conservative, I’m a textualist, I’m an originalist, but I’m not a nut.”
~Scalia, J.
I'll add to the jar
rightwingscottie Monday, March 23rd at 8:15PM EST (link)lol is my $50 tax deductible as a charitable contribution?
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake – Napoleon
I've got space if you have the name...
Steph C (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:06PM EST (link)Domain name, that is.
Grab my email from my website/blog and give me a yell. Tax deductible or not, it will be well worth it.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
Sign me up
Amy Miller (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:15PM EST (link)As soon as I have a reliable income, I’ll be all over this. (Maybe someday you’ll be able to cite me as a political expert on…something.)
In the mean time, I’ll do what I can on Facebook (that which must not be named, I know, but I know quite a few people who are smart with their words, and care about this country!) and Twitter (I’m following you as of now so get to work) to spread the word about what you’re doing–if you want.
Cheers!
“I’m a conservative, I’m a textualist, I’m an originalist, but I’m not a nut.”
~Scalia, J.
Hey Amy....
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:25PM EST (link)on twitter are you @ amy_m_miller because I couldn’t find you on there…..I am @JadedByPolitics if you want to start following each other.
Unified Patriots – How-To:
Activists Taking Action
I have Facebook, but don't use it much
tcgeol (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:28PM EST (link)What can we do on there to advance conservatism? I guess I don’t spend enough time there to really know.
Just your typical bitter gun- and God-clinger
Even the Left admits we’re Right
Ah, Facebook...
Amy Miller (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:53PM EST (link)…it’s the great whore of the internet. I post a lot of what I write on RS to facebook…or at least snippets. (Then I rocket my readers right to RedState for a good strong whack with the Conservative stick!) Sometimes feedback is good, and I get a convert, and other times its bad, and I get a death threat (true story…a FACEBOOK death threat. Let me tell you, I didn’t sleep a WINK that night
) Some things I have to take down and/or moderate, but for the most part, they rally some pretty thoughtful discussions. Either way, I get my name and my ideas out there, which is how I notice a lot of the libs get the ball rolling.
I don’t know how many people on RS really use it; I do because I recently graduated, and I can tell you, it’s a very powerful tool if you know how to use it. The event scheduling application alone is invaluable to getting the word out about, say, tea parties
I once saw a pro-life event, promoted entirely by Facebook, draw close to 1,000 lazy college kids into the Purdue Memorial Mall. I may not be able to get 1,000 people out to a “Support Caleb Howe” party, but I may be able to gain him some loyal readers (who have their heads screwed on straight).
It takes tweaking and patience, but it can be done.
“I’m a conservative, I’m a textualist, I’m an originalist, but I’m not a nut.”
~Scalia, J.
That sounds good
tcgeol (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 10:02PM EST (link)As a grad student, I first heard about facebook from one of my lab students. Crazy how popular it is with freshmen and sophomores, especially.
Do you use notes to get stories out or is there some other method?
Just your typical bitter gun- and God-clinger
Even the Left admits we’re Right
Usually I use the "note" function
Amy Miller (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 10:10PM EST (link)…but for quick snippets I use the “share link” function. then tag anyone who I think will have a rational opinion.
“I’m a conservative, I’m a textualist, I’m an originalist, but I’m not a nut.”
~Scalia, J.
Lots of Redstaters on Facebook...
speciallist (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 11:15PM EST (link)Amy and tcgeol and anybody else ..email me at special@pacbell.net
Purdue?
azaeroprof (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 11:15PM EST (link)Sounds like you’re a Boiler? I am, class of ’85. In fact, I was born in Lafayette while my dad was a student there.
I just got on FB about 3 weeks ago. It’s been great for connecting with old friends, and I did become a ‘fan’ of Sarah Palin, so get her updates. If you have experience in using FB for political messaging, spreading the word and scheduling events, I would encourage you to publish a diary with some basic how-to’s for those of us FB novices.
One question: do you have a separate personal FB page for corresponding with your ‘real’ friends or do you mix your personal page with more ‘public’ activities?
Boilermaker by the Grace of God!!!
Amy Miller (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 10:48AM EST (link)…and I’ll be sure to compose that diary about getting word out via Facebook!
To answer your question, I have one FB page that I use for everything, but my privacy settings are crazy, no one can see tagged pictures or videos of me, and only friends can see my profile. I can, however, be searched for.
This is going to be fun
)
“I’m a conservative, I’m a textualist, I’m an originalist, but I’m not a nut.”
~Scalia, J.
I'm typing up a Facebook "how-to" for political messaging...
Amy Miller (Diary) Friday, March 27th at 4:07PM EST (link)…I’ll post it ASAP.
“I’m a conservative, I’m a textualist, I’m an originalist, but I’m not a nut.”
~Scalia, J.
I am in as I always am for something RIGHT!...bring it people...
JadedByPolitics (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 9:30PM EST (link)help this blogger keep on blogging hell Lucianne just did a month of donations to keep them up and running for the next year and they do it every year and they manage to keep RIGHT on trucking. This is a good thing I will as well be placing this diary on twitter to see if you can’t get some more!
Post this link everywhere you post!
Unified Patriots – How-To:
Activists Taking Action
Are you set up on paypal? nt
AKSteveB (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 10:25PM EST (link)Hell is other people – Sartre
Yep, the link is in the diary above.
Caleb Howe (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 1:13PM EST (link)By image but here it is in text.
Thanks!
Caleb Howe (formerly known as absentee)
I'll do what I can to help.
itrytobenice (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 11:03PM EST (link)I’m primarily trying to get debt free right now, but I will do whatever I can do to help you. Hopefully soon we will be able to help by digging, twittering, clicking ads, etc.
Good luck with this.
Proper grammar saves lives.
Let’s eat Grandma.
Let’s eat, Grandma.
I just chipped in
antisocial (Diary) Monday, March 23rd at 11:09PM EST (link)Keep blogging
Obama Doctrine – Boot On The Throat
—————————–
What is to be done?
——————————
No. You can’t – Moe Lane
——————————
The Emperor has no clothes!!!
Thank you!
Caleb Howe (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 1:14PM EST (link)- .nt
Caleb Howe (formerly known as absentee)
Updates
Caleb Howe (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 1:19PM EST (link)I have received a lot of interest and several generous contributions. I’m putting together a site now, although as I say, the bulk of what I write will always come to Redstate.
Thought I’d include a few more examples of prior work:
Alas, Alas, Our Judgement Cometh … it was fun, but it also shows how to play the game as a conservative on a liberal run media site.
Profiles: Bob Hemenway .. an interview. With funding, an independent blogger can find stories the MSM pass by.
Palin Should Stop Sending Fetuses To War … and of course, exposing the loony left will be a high priority topic.
- c
Caleb Howe (formerly known as absentee)
Sounds like you're looking for "Grants"
Lammo (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 2:27PM EST (link)mine’s on it’s way. Good luck and knock ‘em dead.
Don’t be so open minded that your brains fall out. (John Corapi, The Black Sheep Dog)
Caleb, I'll be glad to donate, but I need a mailing address of some kind.
janis (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 2:40PM EST (link)I don’t deal in anything but cash or money orders. So you get a Ben Franklin if you have an address for me to send it to. If you don’t want to use your own, understandably, then perhaps RedState or Erick can provide one that will be safe. The money order will be made out to you.
I truly want to be one of those who “knew you when you were absentee.” Have high hopes for you, Caleb. Let me know where to send it.
Caleb, will be glad to support your fine writing and ideas!
penguin2 (Diary) Tuesday, March 24th at 3:58PM EST (link)Will send donation as soon as hubby helps me with the paypal thing.
Hopefully, the debacle of this past election has activated the people. That is how I found Redstate. I believe there are many of us out there who are concerned and want to do something. If supporting individuals like you and Redstate can help, then we are on board.
Thank you for your outstanding diaries and your desire to go further to help our cause.
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God. – Benjamin Franklin
When Good stands up to Evil, Evil blinks. – Vassar Bushmills
Conservative Education: Suggested Reading List
Activists Taking Action: Unified Patriots
Dude. Awesome.
Crowe (Diary) Wednesday, March 25th at 10:13PM EST (link)By the time you’re spreading into a multi-blogger corporation I may be looking for something else to do… restless feet and all.
For now, I’m happy to share the spoils of a secure job that pays well enough.
“We sleep soundly in our beds only because
rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harmDear Leader Obama gives us leave to do so.”Caleb, from the tribe of Judah
Crowe (Diary) Thursday, March 26th at 6:59AM EST (link)The Old Testament selection for the Office of Readings in today’s Liturgy of the Hours comes from the book of Numbers and is the story of when Moses sent 12 men, one from each tribe, to reconnoiter the land of Canaan. Caleb was the one to go from the tribe of Judah. After they returned and reported that the people were strong and fierce and many of the people were losing heart…
“But Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once, and occupy it; for we are well able to overcome it.’” (Numbers 13:30)
And, of course, it dovetails nicely with one of my favorite verses, from the mouth of my namesake, Thomas the Apostle. When Lazarus has died and Christ determines to go raise him up, some of the Apostles try to dissuade Him reminding Him that the last time He was in Bethany the people tried to stone Him. He keeps insisting that He’s going until finally…
Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16)
And they went.
“We sleep soundly in our beds only because
rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harmDear Leader Obama gives us leave to do so.”