Several months ago we wrote here that the revolution, if were to begin, would begin by citizens just sitting a table and deciding something has to be done.
     We weren't the only ones, but others also tried to surmise how that might play out; how four here, five there, would find a common place to meet, then meet with others, and shortly a movement would be born. We suggested an AGITPROP unit, or at least an Agitprop function, of creating events and a central clearinghouse for these various groups to meet another and coordinate activities.
     I'm not sure who first started the Tea Party clatches, as there doesn't seem to be a brand-named sponsor. They seem pretty spontaneous, grabbing an effective theme. The same for Glenn Beck's 9/12 Project, coming to fruition in just two weeks, where, in my town at least, a few thousand will drive to Washington to show support.
     From Kankakee to Corvallis to Richmond, we're seeing dozens of groups...per city...pop up, representing thousands of people and hosting events almost weekly. Here in the Richmond area, the afternoon local AM talk radio host, Doc Thompson, and the station's website has become the unofficial clearinghouse for all these groups, a one-stop shopping for upcoming events. And in an off-year, when no one in Congress is running for office! The pitch is nearing fever, and the temperature going up, not. I expect a hot, hot winter.
    So far, so good. The citizens are rising much faster that most people had imagined. A few key pieces are missing. Earlier in the year we published a list of things that needed to be done in the cultural area, such as beginning the war to take back the pop culture, one carload at a time. We also noted a need to be able fight fire with fire when needed, and suggested these groups collaborate in being able to identify and punish paid provocateurs of the Left (rent-a-thug, ACORN, that sort). Not hard, but expense is required.
    The next big crossroads will be leadership.
    Many of the groups we've been watching, even locally, were founded by people with large egos, especially about their own leadership qualities. While I still believe the people will recognize the real deal when they see it, the possibility exists for some friction as the time nears when this fever pitch movement has to turn to more conventional political action, such as elections and policy platforms. Asa we have said, some local and statewide initiatives, such as taking back the schools, are almost as important as the national crisis, especially if state supremacy is to be re-established.
    I'd like them begin to look at these local and state-wide issues, not just national health care or cap and trade. The high cost of college is one, especially since much of those costs each year go toward expanding the left wing of the academy on campus. Our local morning talk show host is sponsoring an online 10th Amendment petition...over 10,000 signatures so far.
    There's enough issues for everyone to get involved.
    But come Spring 2010 there will be a hint of election in the air. Then, all these various grass roots organizations will begin hearing from the GOP, as well as a counter-claim from local organizers who've been with the movement from the outset, claiming, just like Al Sharpton, more street cred than the GOP. Territorial friction might ensue, especially if the movement folks don't like the local GOP candidates, or the GOP won't take on some of their platforms. (It would be nice to get the GOP to sign onto the simple policy of actually reading legislation before voting on it, rather than condescending to us reg'lar folks about the duh! inconvenience of it all. "Hell, nobody reads legislation anymore, lady! Get with it! This is the 21st Century, not Eisenhower's Congress.")
    I doubt the GOP sees this coming, assuming once again that they will be the natural beneficiary of this movement, even as they stand mutely by while paid Democrat thugs beat some of these people senseless.
    Yes, I see a problem looming, and once again, I can see this many in this movement simply doing a wheelie and going back home, just like they did with M'Cain, handing the Dem's one more victory.
    All we can do is caution everyone to keep the eye on the prize, which is issues, not personalities, and trust your gut about leadership.
   Then there's the Cult effect.
    I recall a very rural Baptist Church in Central Kentucky many years ago. It was put together with the hard work of a founding deacon, who, after the pastor moved away, took over the church as an unordained minister. For twenty year he pastored that flock, built a new church, and a steady congregation of nearly hundred. Then suddenly, around 1970, while on vacation, he died.
    The parishioners, all way out there in the sticks, had never really known any other preacher, or source for the Word, so they just decided to rename the church after the dear departed, and decided to add a verse or two to the book of Acts, saying that "he" would come back some day. They had gone from church to cult in a very short time indeed. When I finally left that region in 1989, they were still waiting for Brother Fred's return.
    Of course, that church is no more, only a handful of the original members still alive. There's a law here. You see, cults have a real problem with regenerating themselves. Mr Obama will learn this shortly. In my lifetime JFK came the closest, as anyone who was anywhere on November22 1963 still knows today where they were on November 22, 1963. The day after the last person who can remember that dies, you'll be able to pick up JFK memorabilia on eBay at one of their 99-cent sales.
    This is only a warning, but the grass roots movement is still in that vulnerable cult of personality phase of their existence. When a cult figure dies or passes away, all that is left is a vacuum, and emptiness. Part of the cultural abyss we're in today is because of the vacuum left by JFK's untimely shooting, which was preceded by a cynical press's decision to deify this skirt-chasing cad in the first place...all because he was a well spoken, suave, sophisticated Harvard man, which, after fifteen years of midwestern folksiness, the country needed badly. Sound familiar?
    As bad as that was...it will be another 50 years before historians can properly look at the JFK-effect on American culture and politics (without being drawn and quartered)...it can be much worse if we finally give some Huey Long their day in the sun. Adolf Hitler proved in the early 30s that the more surreal the real becomes, as Germany became under Weimar, the more ordinary a man like ol' Schicklegrubr seemed.
   Our movement is stuck between two potential disasters; another electoral stay-home over grievances with the GOP and some candiates or, following blindly behind some vainglorious sweet-talking sunavabitch.
   So watch your understanding of the Constitutional purpose closely, and cling your values close to your breast. Trust me, there's more than just one enemy out there. Those values are all you will have when it comes time to choose leaders.
VB