The Grey Haired Brigade

Based on the rise of the Tea Party in 2008 and the recent OWS protests in America, it’s clear that people have begun to wake up over the past 4 years. But there is another force in this country waking up too. This force is usually very quiet and often doesn’t speak up. They’ve stood down to allow the younger generation it’s chance in the driver seat. But they now see that America is off course.

This force believes in our country, our constitution and our people. They believe in American Exceptionalism because many of them exemplify it. They’ve witnessed our country being high-jacked and they will be silent no more.

As a veteran, I understand where they are coming from. Even though I am not their age, I stand with them in defense of the America I know. Do you?

This is a great read if you have a minute! This was written by an anonymous American veteran on Thanksgiving Day, 2011. By the way, if all you have in response to this thread is anti-American BS please ignore this thread and move on. I certainly read enough of that BS on ATS daily, so please refrain. Thanks in advance!

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, geezers, and in some cases dinosaurs. Some of us are “Baby Boomers” getting ready to retire. Others have been retired for some time. We walk a little slower these days and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were. We have worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and grown old together. Yes, we are the ones some refer to as being over the hill, and that is probably true. But before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration.

In school we studied English, history, math, and science which enabled us to lead America into the technological age. Most of us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience. We remember the days of telephone party-lines, 25 cent gasoline, and milk and ice being delivered to our homes. For those of you who don’t know what an icebox is, today they are electric and referred to as refrigerators. A few even remember when cars were started with a crank. Yes, we lived those days.

Oath Keepers

2012? We got a whole month left in 2011, if it takes that long to get them mobilized then hope it lost!

Even though everyone comes from different walks of life, we can at least be united in that we get screwed by the same group of people.

Kind of sad that old people have to stand up for everyone.

reply to post by seabag



Those "Old" fogies have more combat experience than many countries modern standing army.
I wouldn't underestimate nor count them out at all.


ETA: I'm somewhere in the middle. No, I won't share with you guys which end of the spectrum I'm nearer to

Plucks out the grey chin whiskers..

reply to post by SLAYER69


What about those of us that dye our hair to fit in with the younger crowd?

reply to post by satron

2012? We got a whole month left in 2011, if it takes that long to get them mobilized then hope it lost!

I think he was referring to VOTING, so the Grey’s will have to wait till election season!

Even though everyone comes from different walks of life, we can at least be united in that we get screwed by the same group of people.

I think everyone knows who the villains are for the most part. And I agree, it’s good that we can all agree on the important stuff.

Kind of sad that old people have to stand up for everyone.I hear you!

It’s sad that younger generations (including myself) have let things get this bad. I had no doubt in my mind that older generations were aware and unhappy with it. My old man is a Vietnam vet and 28 year retired veteran, so I’ve been hearing that generation’s perspective for a long time. He isn't thrilled, especially since his investments have lost half their value.

reply to post by seabag


Oh wow! Glad you put the word out on the internet. Will all due respect, do you realize how psychotic this sounds? These guys, who represent a PERCENTAGE of the U.S. population (not all of it), seemingly plan to "take" back this country to their own ideals through means of violence and destruction and CLEARLY already deciding who their perceived "enemy" is. They really seem to hate any form of democracy and are leaning on fascism in their statement. I love me some old people, especially veterans; they are still relevant and important. But this is one ride A LOT of people in this country do not want to go on. The last thing the world needs is a bunch of paranoid militias taking out their frustrations on the public. This is frightening.

These men are by no means something to shrug at.I think stubborn bastards come to mind when I think of my uncle Jimmy. They are soldiers and they deserve better for what they have done for us. They might be mobilizing on Larks, but they are rolling out. Raise Hell Soldiers!!!!

reply to post by SLAYER69

Those "Old" fogies have more combat experience than many countries modern standing army.

After so many years in Iraq and Afghanistan, I wouldn't be so sure about that! Some of these men are coming out of Iraq with more combat time than I have on board a ship! I've pulled sand out of every orifice of my body but some of these boys.....WOW.....they've been in it!!

I wouldn't underestimate nor count them out at all.

Nor would I…

I think everyone that took an oath to defend this nation is highly pissed at this point; I know I am.

ETA: I'm somewhere in the middle. No, I won't share with you guys which end of the spectrum I'm nearer to

Plucks his grey chin whiskers...

I’m nowhere near that group but if I plucked my grey chin hair I would no longer have any!

I’m still hanging onto the 30’s (not by much), but the grey hair has arrived. I think it comes with children??

reply to post by intrepid

What about those of us that dye our hair to fit in with the younger crowd?

Well….I’m sure its not obvious!!

I’m just not worried about it enough to do it! I figure I earned the grey and the respect that comes with it. It’s kinda like a medal you get for having experience!

reply to post by smileypants


[atsimg]http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/c082accadbe8.jpg[/atsimg]

Have you ever tried to get between an old guy and his Stool Softener?, never mind trying arguing politics

reply to post by SLAYER69


**shudders** I've argued with a few older gentlemen about common-sense subjects like "don't smoke a cigar while using an oxygen tank". They'd rather burn down an entire city-block than come to terms with logic.

It’s sad that younger generations (including myself) have let things get this bad. I had no doubt in my mind that older generations were aware and unhappy with it. My old man is a Vietnam vet and 28 year retired veteran, so I’ve been hearing that generation’s perspective for a long time.

He isn't thrilled, especially since his investments have lost half their value.

Yup think your right.. Kids have no respect for anything let alone themselves. Everyone wants to be a hero and not a team. Family values are gone, and I honestly believe that common sense is a trait that seems to be getting lost in our genetic code.This is what happens when we stopped knocking (common) sense into are kids with a quick ass whoopin instead of a time out. Looks like we need are parents to step up and teach us some more tricks.

reply to post by smileypants

Oh wow! Glad you put the word out on the internet. Will all due respect, do you realize how psychotic this sounds? These guys, who represent a PERCENTAGE of the U.S. population (not all of it), seemingly plan to "take" back this country to their own ideals through means of violence and destruction and CLEARLY already deciding who their perceived "enemy" is.

What in the HELL are you talking about, chief?

They really seem to hate any form of democracy and are leaning on fascism in their statement. I love me some old people, especially veterans; they are still relevant and important. But this is one ride A LOT of people in this country do not want to go on. The last thing the world needs is a bunch of paranoid militias taking out their frustrations on the public. This is frightening.

Your imagination must have soared when you looked at the picture! Do you have nightmares of old fogies with M4’s?

reply to post by olestra

Yup think your right.. Kids have no respect for anything let alone themselves. Everyone wants to be a hero and not a team.

I’ve thought that for a long time but I have since reconsidered. I had this conversation one day with my old man and he said “every generation thinks the next is dropping the ball”, and I think he’s right, especially when I see young men like Dakota Meyer. Look up him up if you haven’t heard of him. HE GETS IT, so I have faith in the younger generations.

Family values are gone, and I honestly believe that common sense is a trait that seems to be getting lost in our genetic code.This is what happens when we stopped knocking (common) sense into are kids with a quick ass whoopin instead of a time out. Looks like we need are parents to step up and teach us some more tricks.

I agree to an extent, but I think it has more to do with the example we set as parents. You can’t win them all but you should damn sure TRY! Also the example set by society has a big affect. When society is in decline, parents have to do much more to overcome the influences their kids are bombarded with daily.

Originally posted by seabag
reply to post by smileypants

 

Oh wow! Glad you put the word out on the internet. Will all due respect, do you realize how psychotic this sounds? These guys, who represent a PERCENTAGE of the U.S. population (not all of it), seemingly plan to "take" back this country to their own ideals through means of violence and destruction and CLEARLY already deciding who their perceived "enemy" is.

What in the HELL are you talking about, chief?

They really seem to hate any form of democracy and are leaning on fascism in their statement. I love me some old people, especially veterans; they are still relevant and important. But this is one ride A LOT of people in this country do not want to go on. The last thing the world needs is a bunch of paranoid militias taking out their frustrations on the public. This is frightening.

Your imagination must have soared when you looked at the picture! Do you have nightmares of old fogies with M4’s?

Considering the source for this letter and most certainly the pic of a man holding a gun coupled with the language being used, it implies the Gray Haired Brigade plans to take this country back by FORCE. The author of the letter states they will "take back" this country to their ideals and they also clearly believe the system is rigged, so why would I think they'd try to change anything with their vote and not their guns. Also lets not forget that the source, Oath Keepers is currently classified as a paramilitary militia by numerous organizations. So yeah, seeing this kind of language and then a pic of an old-fogey with a big gun certainly got my wheels-a-turnin' enough to cause some research.

reply to post by smileypants


Well let me know when you see old fogies with M4’s running down the street so I can join them!

The author clearly stated “Well, don’t worry youngsters, the Grey-Haired Brigade is here, and in 2012 we are going to take back our nation. We may drive a little slower than you would like but we get where we’re going, and in 2012 we’re going to the polls by the millions.”

I guess you missed that part!

Originally posted by smileypants
reply to post by seabag

 

Oh wow! Glad you put the word out on the internet. Will all due respect, do you realize how psychotic this sounds? These guys, who represent a PERCENTAGE of the U.S. population (not all of it), seemingly plan to "take" back this country to their own ideals through means of violence and destruction and CLEARLY already deciding who their perceived "enemy" is. They really seem to hate any form of democracy and are leaning on fascism in their statement. I love me some old people, especially veterans; they are still relevant and important. But this is one ride A LOT of people in this country do not want to go on. The last thing the world needs is a bunch of paranoid militias taking out their frustrations on the public. This is frightening.

edit on 30-11-2011 by smileypants because: (no reason given)

edit on 30-11-2011 by smileypants because: (no reason given)

Be afraid... be VERY afraid...

This guy says you may be right:



He says that "psychotic" doesn't even begin to describe what the younger generation has done to his beloved nation.

He says if nothing but violence will move them to put the nation back on track, well, he ain't getting any younger! He'd prefer to do it at the polls, but if you insist...

He's not a fascist. He actually HATES fascism, communism, socialism, democracy, and all other forms of collectivism that are designed to allow mobs to rule and take all the value away from individuals, who are, after all, exactly what made this country a great one, back when it was. He, and millions more like him, shed blood - both theirs and that of their enemies - to give the younger folks a country where they could be free.

He is NOT pleased with what they have done with that freedom, using it to march towards the slavery of collectivism as they have. He's really pretty put out that he and his friends shed blood, some of them DIED, to give you a nation to be proud of and live free in, and you turned around and gave the keys to it to the very people who were trying to kill him, and enslave you.

But this is one ride A LOT of people in this country do not want to go on.

He says he expects they'll be shooting back should they insist on a shooting war rather than a rational means of restoration. He also says he's not got much left to lose, and they really ought to think about that before they start one.

The last thing the world needs is a bunch of paranoid militias taking out their frustrations on the public.

he wonders how in the devil you arrived at the conclusion that he'd be going to war against "the public", and thinks he may have already been far too lenient in allowing "the public" to make war on HIM.

This is frightening.

He says you ought to be scared STUPID considering what you have allowed to happen to his nation. he also said that same fear is what pushed you into doing it to begin with, collaborating with the enemy to steal his country right out from under him, his children, and his grand children.

He said, right out loud, that people he CAN scare don't scare him in the least. They aren't even the beginning of the problem. They are actually irrelevant to the issues, period.

He wants to know why you're scared - can you not outrun his walker?

reply to post by nenothtu


The bottom line, as I've stated before, is that there are far too many old lions out here to let some young kittens ruin the party.

Something tells me that Occupy Japan just wouldn't have had the same affect as Hiroshima or the battle of Iwo Jima. Sometimes you just have to get it done.

reply to post by seabag


It amazes me and makes me proud to read this thread.



One day the youth will realize that those who have been here before them,might still have a few answers up their sleeves.

reply to post by seabag


A fitting analogy. Have you ever watched those NatGeo nature shows about the Serengeti? It's so cute the way the old lions let the cubs crawl around on them and get away with all sorts of indignity to their person... until enough is enough, and then without warning there's a sudden SWAT to correct the youngsters...