The Basis for a Truly Successful Political Movement

Power concedes nothing without a demand --Frederick Douglas

Looking at events such as the Occupy Wall Street movement in the U.S that began in late 2011, and numerous other social drives by the bottom segments of society to fight and preserve the little dignity they have not been stripped of, it is a shame that such movements like Occupy never went as far as many anticipated. Most movements have proven to ultimately be a failure.

The Inherent Flaws of Most Movements
Looking at a movement like the gay rights movement, many people may wonder why it hasn't garnered the amount of support that they think it deserves. Even movements like anti-war protests eventually lose their zeal and wane with the passing of time. There are many reasons why these movements fail. They don't fail because they are unpopular. Other factors such as infiltration  by government intelligence and state-sponsored saboteurs may also play a factor, but ultimately movements fail for a number of major reasons.

Due to a lack of consolidation and organization, ideas and energies are not properly channeled. They become lost, falling into chasms a thousand fathoms deep. The movement becomes in danger of being co-opted, degenerating into riots which endows authority with the excuse to pummel and abuse their citizens and disburse them, like a farmer scatters their seeds.

In the words of historian and political analyst Webster Griffin Tarpley, "Protests are for wimps. Revolutionaries seize power." Protests should only be the initial phase, not the objective; the objective is the achievement of some, if not much, of your goals, whatever they may be. Protests are to simply be the voicing of grievances, the announcement of your political program. The inability of most movements to seemingly understand this simple fact, ultimately dooms them. And if you are someone like me who believes change is desperately needed in his/her country, then it can get frustrating, very frustrating. Because protests are as far as it goes for most.

Another flaw of political movements is that most of them (whether by intention or inadvertent) seem to be fairly exclusive to certain significant degrees. The gay rights movements propose for legislation to place same sex couples on identical legal status as heterosexual couples. The secessionist movement in the U.S. which seems to have taken steam recently, proposes for certain states to be abdicated from the central authority that is the U.S government and form their own countries if you may, in their claim (which is absolutely legitimate) that the government has "become out of control." There are periodical bouts of senior citizens protesting for programs that many if not most of them rely on for sustenance, not to be cut from the federal budget. All throughout the world, one can find one form of movement or another that is either happening or has just subsided (due to failure).

What most of these movements lack are popular demands (in other words, mass struggle for economic populism). Demands that create an amalgamation of many segments of society, consolidating their energy and productively channeling them into a positive direction are what put a political movement on the path to success. Families that are poor, barely struggling to make ends meet, find no benefit in going downtown and supporting a mass of disgruntled gays and lesbians when they have to worry about how they are going to stay in their homes the next or current winter, or to put food on the table.

Same applies to protests by senior citizens against cuts to programs like Medicare and social security. Although this is a very important battle, many are not aware of or even convinced that they should take up arms and join this movement, partly because their priorities are little different, with age one of the faactors symbolizing this reality. A young and unemployed college graduate may not be drawn to such a movement, worrying instead on how to find a job and move out of their parent's abode, in addition to trying to set themselves on the path to become debt-free.

 Secessionism itself also lacks an economic platform and a set of grievances that can be sympathized with by much if not most segments of the population (not to mention its historically racist and aristocratic context). Young and/or middle age black and hispanic youth may not find traction with such a movement. Although these movements have legitimate grievances that many may argue deserve to redressed, they all have in common the fundamental failure to mobilize mass support from various segments of society.

You can protest for marriage equality or protest against the corruption of the federal government all you want. But when we have roughly over fourteen million children in poverty, a high rate of unemployed youth, the threat of destabilization for the family, a growing prison population that is due to a racist justice system, and so forth, issues like these become tossed on the wayside as the masses soon forget that there was even such movements, or simply choose to ignore it altogether.

The inherent flaw of many movements is that they are woefully inadequate  They cannot be coupled with any other agenda, and so they are conveniently left on the wayside, bereft of substance, and resident to the ash heap of history's failed movements.

What Should Be Noted
One of the reasons why the Labor Movement/Unions of the nineteenth and twentieth century was so popular (but is now dilapidated and all but destroyed) was that it included everybody. Yes, some unions were exclusive (i.e only permitting white males or whites in general), but in turn many were not. They provided a platform that was beneficial for everybody, mainly the working poor, the largest faction of society. Many attempts were made to discredit them including legislation that made it illegal to assemble in public, criminalizing speech that was in favor of collective bargaining and so forth. Unions were also a driving force (and the most primary one) against fascism and dictatorship. Hitler and Mussolini hated unions. In some South American countries, participation in a union is signatory to a death warrant.  Unions are also despised by the reactionary factions of the ruling class. Because they were based on populism. Now they have been reduced to factions (teachers, nurses, garbage workers, bus drivers, etc) that are hardly in solidarity with each other..

Why? One of the fundamental flaws of many if not most political movements is their inability to adapt or evolve to meet changing times and demographics. The unions of today are hardly what they were four decades ago and beyond. They also fail to understand another fundamental principle in struggles. And that principle is that enemies eventually get smarter and perhaps even stronger. Unions have not taken note of this apparently. The ruling class has figured out new ways of union busting, whether it be President Bush's No Child Left Behind, or President Obama's Race to the Top Program, private equity firms like Mitt Romney and Bain Capital to asset-strip companies, and even "free" trade.

This has left the labor movement largely discombobulated. It now easily concedes to concessions, recedes on robust demands, and easily falls prey to neo-liberal capitalism, and is simply pusillanimous altogether. The success of a movement is half the battle. Now that movement must build on what it already has, and make renovations as time goes on. They require constant vigilance. Apparently something that unions eventually lost.

The Solution
 In his scroll The Art of War, military tactician Sun Tzu states, "Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must have their reward" (Chapter II--Waging War). The famous phrase, "Get angry and get organized," hastily comes to mind in reminiscence of this quote. Note that Sun Tzu implies leadership. Who else shall arouse the men and lead them into battle?

All factions of society that support economic populism (which is most) must be aroused. Many people, especially Americans of the downtrodden masses remain in abject ignorance and apathy as much as in poverty. Many of them don't understand the implications of the many significant and pernicious decisions enacted by their government. They live in their own narrow worlds, worrying about only themselves and those they are obligated to care for. That is where education, which broadens their scope must come in. There must be a concerted campaign to bring these factions of society together on common grounds. And as always, the common ground which has proven sacred and which many if not most are in fact willing to make a pilgrimage to, is on economic. Letting a fellow citizen know that you are willing to fight for their economic rights may cause their ears to prick up and their eyes to widen. They may become imbued with hope and optimism seeing that someone is prepared to help them achieve and/or preserve a condition or status.

There are many things that can be done aside from education. Once the movement begins, the call for inclusion must be sounded more and more. As the masses press forward in their protest--the initial phase of their movement, there comes a great opportunity: the authorities will almost always release their hounds,  otherwise known as the "police," unto the mass. This is the time when the protesters have the golden opportunity to invite the officers as well. While this may sound confusing and even yet ludicrous to some, note that there has been a systemic attack on labor unions and pension funds, both of which public law enforcement personnel largely benefit from. Inviting them willfully and peacefully and engaging in dialogue to let them understand that they are not exempt from the systemic assault from reactionary oligarchical forces, may force them to think twice before abusing the protesters--the same people that are fighting for them to keep their jobs, their wages, and their retirement.

Around the core that is the economic populist  platform, must also be embedded a socio-political platform. Many things are related. While making your demand to combat the immorality that is austerity, one must also correlate the austerity with the rise of the military industrial complex that is a major factor in the ringing of the austerity bells that cause an unpleasant tintinnabulation all  across. In other words, demands also have to be made to drastically reduce the "defense" budget, in realistic hopes of fighting this austerity. This will give more appeal to the movement and generate more support. Soldiers and veterans are also citizens that must not be forgotten but often are. And their needs are the same as every other citizen's. The fight for their benefits (which are not exempt from austerity measures either) can also be annotated into the platform to include them as well, further broadening the base and support.

Condemnation and a call for a halt against illegal and imperialistic military and intelligence operations can also be annotated to stress the importance of national sovereignty and peaceful co-existence. This can bring out more of the staunch and disgruntled members of the anti-war faction. Substantive inquiries into the root of the nation's economic problems, such as "free" trade, regressive taxation, and an abhorrent public education system, and the pungent tentacles of vulture capitalism that has stretched into every facet of society can also be confronted.

 A discussion on the unsettling reality of student loans and usury in general must be made and a possible debt moratorium can be entertained. The porous deficiency of the public and college education system and their inability to provide true knowledge and education that can help produce tangible and real wealth and assets for society can be another issue. Subsequently there can be a call for the revival of an alternative education like trade/craftsmanship. This will further broaden the base by attracting students and even teachers of higher and public education. A call to rebuilding the nation's infrastructure and vastly improving it, building it to last. The prison industrial complex, beneficiary of a racist and prejudice justice system must be also be confronted...this will be sure to further broaden the base, attracting many blacks and hispanics and the poor (the main victims of such a system) to join the struggle in addition to knowing that their economic condition is being fought for to be improved upon.

Better work place treatment and better economic prospects for women in the corporate sector can be another. A call for a hierarchical restructuring of the corporate pyramid and ladder, and a demand for fairer wages, including calls to halt all union busting can attract yet even more segments of society, mainly any one who supports and participates in such institutions. The discussion for a national bank which will result in the abolition of the private central bank as we know it, is another important topic.

A political movement must be broad, and must have a solid foundation. In addition it needs a moral voice, and not just an agenda of rational self-interest, for this alone renders inadequacy. Segments of the upper class can also be included, by being urged to show more charity and mercy and be compelled to support/fund the political movement in its embryonic phase, providing an opportunity for many of them to show solidarity and connect with their fellow citizens. They must also be educated on their rewards, such as an ease of class tension and possible work towards a better public relationship with the lower classes. While this may sound unrealistic to many, I am willing to wager that there are such people out there. I do not propose Communitarism, and while I may agree largely with Amitai Eztioni and this type of thinking, Communitarianism seems either very inadequate or unrealistic or simply a failure at this time considering many factors.

The Importance of Leadership

None of this can work without effective and central leadership. A movement this broad is sure to have its inherent contradictions, meaning disagreements among its members. Effective leadership will be sure to be a symbol and representative of a united front, placing all members on equal grounds and making sure the movement stays focused on the objectives that have the most chances of success and deserve the highest priority. No successful political movement may achieve all of its objectives--it would unrealistic to say otherwise. The inherent flaws of democratic politics will not allow it. However, without leadership, the movement is lost. It was Occupy's greatest folly, as well as that of many other movements. As in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus."

Once this effective leadership is established, now comes the polls. They must be placed into positions of power through a unified campaign in order for the movement to achieve its second phase of success, in its march to begin implementation of its populist agenda (it may not happen at first, but as they stay the course, their numbers will increase). Once in power, the understanding of human nature must be acknowledged, and an eternal vigilance must be stressed. Public officials fall prey to very wealthy influences--the flesh is weak, as they say. They are human. However, their base must keep constant, unrelenting, and torrid pressure to keep them in line.

One can learn from two of the most successful movements in American history: the Abolitionist Movement of the 19th century that became synonymous with Republican party under Abraham Lincoln who underwent high pressure from his party to abolish slavery, and the Labor Movement of the 19th to early 20th century under the leadership of influential figures such as Mother Jones.



Lawrence Laryea is an amateur independent blogger and is the sole author of the Solutionist's Blog. Any questions, comments, or suggestions, he can be reached at Killerteddybear666@gmail.com. Feel free to drop a message.

How To NOT Be An Empire: Courtesy of the U.S.A.

In my opinion, and in my opinion alone, the United States of America, will go down as the stupidest empire to ever walk the face of this earth. Now the title of this article may be a little misleading in judgment of my character. I am not a supporter of imperialism or militarism by any means. As a matter of fact, I am the opposite. Empires are a failure, and unnecessary. They are a result of the violation of national sovereignty and the rule of law, decadence, lies and so forth. There have been many empires that have come and gone. Many that have endured much more than others. But in the end, their day of reckoning arrived.

The United States is no different. It has invaded countries under false pretext, it has lied to keep public support for the war machine and effort, it has crushed dissenting voices, it has created an atmosphere of hysteria to justify large and unconstitutional power-grabs. Of all the empires, the U.S.A wins the award for having the most contempt for its citizens. I say this because the U.S.A is supposedly a democratic nation. I think by now it is safe to say that that is a bunch of baloney. Yet it has no shame in portraying its blatant disregard for domestic and international law while preaching the values of freedom and democracy. In seeing the U.S.A on its journey through almost seven decades of military adventurism, one can only scratch their head and ask, "what does it have to show for it?" Well, the answer is nothing (good) except the overthrow of democratically-elected governments that do not bow down to it, mass suffering for the endorsement of murderous regimes compliant with its foreign policy, the backing of Geneva convention-violating insurgents/terrorists, and the list goes on. This has made the U.S.A garner a reputation that rates it as perhaps the most hated country in large parts of the Arab and Latin American world.

In its profoundly idiotic course in history (in the realm of foreign policy at least), the U.S.A has taught a lesson to all future empires to come (and there will be more) on how to not be an empire. There are examples upon examples. But I will stress the ones that I think are most worth noting (as I think all examples are worth noting to their own extent).

DO NOT Invade Afghanistan!! or Any of the Mountainous Tribal Areas...
If you are going to build an empire--which you shouldn't do, do yourself a very good favor and do not invade Afghanistan. If you can name me one empire that succeeded in its campaign in Afghanistan, you probably came from an alternate universe. Afghanistan is the place that empires go to die, or at least accelerate their decline. The ignorance on the part of invaders to understand the culture and history of this place does not abate them from invading anyway. Empire after empire has fallen. If you want to know who the smartest empire of all was, it was probably the one that realized Afghanistan was a no-no and pulled out as fast as it could. The tribal culture, along with the terrain and style of warfare, and the will of the people of that region to resist foreign invaders has made it very difficult for an invader to settle in and dominate that region.

Afghanistan's position on the map makes it a very attractive venue for world powers. It holds vast geopolitical implications that if one controlled (and they never will), they will harness a great deal of influence and power through what is deemed as the most important region in the world.

DO NOT De-Industrialize........
If you are going to build an empire--which you shouldn't do, this is about one of the stupidest things you can possibly do, period dot. Now what makes you think its any less stupid when done in a time of military adventurism, a time that requires more resources? The United States, through legislation that benefits corporations at the expense of the American people, has decided to allow indigenous corporations to move their business overseas and enjoy the luxury of harnessing cheap labor. This has caused a massive exodus of corporations out of the country, which is partly at the root of unemployment in this country.

Having an industrial base provides many elements. It keeps demand up through the income provided--granted you receive a fair wage, it mitigates the impact of an economic crisis, it makes and keeps a nation competitive, among other things. De-industrializing the U.S has put it at the point where it doesn't make much of anything that anyone else wants, putting it in a deep hole--in other words, its industry isn't worth sh*t. As it imports more than it exports, it creates an imbalance. This results in bad debt, high vulnerability to economic events, and the endangerment of its currency. Furthermore, it must continue to fund its war machine. Needless to say, that the majority of its budget and resources will be offered on the alter of Mars. As it goes deeper into military adventurism, the debt grows even larger, jobs continue to immigrate, public health and welfare deteriorates. The only thing saving the U.S.A from total economic meltdown is its ability to print money as the U.S dollar stands as the world reserve currency.

This results in mass unrest and great uncertainty as is happening in the U.S. As the people begin to understand that there is a fundamental infraction in their society, there is always the threat of revolt. No general goes charging forward and leaves their rear unguarded. Not only must the U.S.A worry about its adventures (and its follies) abroad and the consequences, now it has to contend with a discontent citizenry (the battle on two fronts). Now come riots, and possibly the implementation of martial law, which results in its failed attempts to crush dissent and keep citizens in line.

In the end, the lack of jobs (good paying ones at that) means a lack of taxes to fund these irresponsible wars (overt and covert) waged by the U.S. As the national debt accelerates rapidly upward, the U.S. dollar which was held at the highest status among currencies, now stands heavy scrutiny. Talk about stupid. How does this benefit the U.S? Perhaps any supporter of U.S imperialism can answer this question.


DO NOT! Reward Bad Behavior

The world financial crisis of 2007-08 resulted in a devastating blow for the U.S economy. As thousands, if not millions, lost their homes, their jobs and their savings, financial centers like Wall Street paid their Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and senior partners large sums of money. In what was evidently a blatant transfer of wealth, Congress instead of putting these "financial terrorists" and the people who caused the crash to happen, in prison, they instead gave them bailout after bailout, rescuing them from their bad behavior instead of having fall from their pyramid scheme of predatory lending and gambling. This has resulted in the common American footing the bill and paying the price for a merchandise they didn't break. As the economy continues to decline, the position of empire becomes increasingly untenable.

This culture of impunity where the rich do whatever they want without fear of serious reprisal, puts the American people in grave danger. This leads to more and more policies that benefit the rich at the expense of the commoner, as already has been done (and being done) in the United States.

DO NOT Ask For More War If You're Already Having a Hard Winning Your Current Ones

As if things couldn't get worse or any more radical, now the U.S. is  contemplating on whether to invade Syria and go to war with Iran. These reckless and irresponsible policies will result in the creation of new or invigoration of old enemies. As it stands the U.S is one of the most hated countries in the world. The Art of War requires for moral support as one of the five main driving factors in the success of war.....as the public doesn't even support the wars and occupations the U.S is already involved in, now the U.S wants to embark on even more military adventurism. It is worthy to note that since World War II, the U.S.A hasn't won a single military campaign, except for the Gulf War. Most often, it's had to retreat in humiliating defeat.

DO NOT Neglect Your Infrastructure
All through out the U.S, the roads, bridges, and other routes of transportation that connect the country have been neglected, resulting in their increasing disintegration, leading to public safety and concerns (as well as economic). As the imperial budget absorbs money from other alternatives that could prove more productive in order to fund the massive imperial project abroad, the inclination to preserve one of the basic elements in a modern civilization (public transportation and roads) flies right out of the window. This holds many implications. When Eisenhower embarked on the project to connect America through highways, he ended up saving or even helping businesses expand.  Now that the infrastructure is crumbling, one can expect movement in the U.S to be increasingly limited and discouraged. What kinds of implications will this hold...I know one thing...nothing good. One of the elements that made the U.S such a great economic power stands in neglect and ridicule.

What Now?
Even though there is still a chance to turn back, the United States won't. Most of its endeavors, fall in line with the interests of Corporate Financier Oligarchs. And despite the fact that they are destructive to society, these policies continue with much avidity by the ruling class. One need not look far to see the legacy of empire and its devastating consequences in both America and the rest of the world. While citizens struggle to find bread, dough is funneled to standing armies abroad. The world stands in times of uncertainty, as yet a larger threat of war on a grand scale looms over the horizon. Since the U.S sought its imperialist objectives, one can't help but take note that countless coups and political upheavals have taken place in the world since, and the world has become a less safer place in many aspects. What's even worse about the U.S empire is  its endeavors pose no beneficial aspect to the lives of its citizens, but rather to corporations at the expense of the people; couple that with war crimes and an unreasonably belligerent attitude and one has possibly not only the stupidest empire to ever walk the face of this earth, but also the most destructive.

These to me are the lessons to be learned from the United States empire. Chickens always return home to roost. And it seems right about now, the American chickens are coming back to their coop. History doesn't repeat itself, WE repeat history. In the end and in reality the majority consents to the rule of their leaders.

Whatever is to be done about this, is up to the American people themselves. There are a myriad of solutions that have been stressed by many figures across the world. There is no need to think--all the thinking has been done for them. Now it is time to put these solutions into action.



Lawrence Laryea is an amateur independent blogger who doesn't know much at all, yet tries to make sense of the world he lives in. Any questions, suggestions, or comments, he can be reached at Killerteddybear666@gmail.com

A Voice Then That Echoes Now: Rev. Charles G. Ames and Anti-Imperialism

Many times, voices of our grandparents and ancestors, have proven to be prophetic. And in order to better understand world events and to prognosticate properly where such events may lead, sometimes it is important to visit the archives of history, to revisit their unique perspectives on the events of their time and how they relate to ours. As anyone may know, "there is nothing new under the sun."

Once such voice was Reverend Charles G. Ames, an anti-imperialist. This speech known as the Address of the Rev. Charles G Ames, was given in  1898. The United States had begun on its collision course of doom when it first amassed an overseas empire as a result of the Spanish American War. The conundrum of whether a nation can be a democracy and an empire pressed on subtly in political discussion. Reverend Ames sought to take a stance and address this seemingly hard question and many other issues. Over a hundred years now and that speech still resembles this present day as the United States continues its ventures abroad, not in hopes of acquiring an empire, but this time to consolidate it and stave of its disintegration. Reverend Ames offered a unique insight and warned of the consequences (emotional, economic, moral) of U.S military adventurism that was masked in a crusade to bring democracy and "protection"...an inherently contradictory campaign considering the circumstance.

These are excerpts from his speech:

"What will be the effect on our domestic policy? How can we undertake to rule subject provinces in distant parts of the globe without trampling on the principles of free government? Once accepting this way of dealing with other people, how long will it be before some occasion will arise for applying it at home? In committing ourselves to permanent military methods of government anywhere, we give up the republic, for we abandon its fundamental principle, even while boasting of the name.......................

"The imperial scheme requires us to go very deeply into military and naval expenditure, that we may be ever on fighting footing. We must girdle the earth with strategic possession everyone of which must be fortified and garrisoned. They will be of little value in peace, since nearly all the world is open to commerce. In war they would be remote and exposed, inviting attack and requiring defence. Points of weakness every one of them! Further, we create the necessity of spending billions on fortification  for our extended coast line, by assembling an attitude of defiance and aggression--toward all the world. Let American mothers take notice: They are to raise boys to kill and be killed. Why do we mince such little matters? We are to be a great military nation! Our industry is to foot the bills. If you object, you are not patriot! But where will be the republic?.................

"All that a wise and virtuous king can do for his dependent subjects, that and better can a wise and virtuous people do for their independent selves; for, by heavenly help, we who are neither wise nor very virtuous have carried our ship of state through a storm that would have foundered the staunchest monarchy on earth. We need never despair of the republic till the people are seduced from its principles; as they surely will be if we are ever drawn into the Old World's military maelstrom. For militarism lives everywhere, as it must live, by sucking and poisoning the blood of liberty.............

"The policy of imperialism threatens to change the temper of our people, and to put us into a permanent attitude of arrogance, testiness and defiance towards other nations. The conditions which compel us to seek alliances are sure to breed antagonisms. If we form alliances for security, we lose our independence; if for plunder, we lose our character................

"If once we enter the field of international conflict as a great military and naval power, we shall be one more bully among bullies: we shall only add one more to the list of oppressors of mankind by compelling other nations to increase their armaments on our account; and none will suffer for the folly so much as our own toiling millions..............

Poor Christian as I am, it grieves and shames me to see a generation instructed by the Prince of Peace proposing to set him on a dunce's stool and to crown him with a fool's cap, while shouting hosannas to the great god Jingo, who seems, on both sides of the water to be modern representative of Mars and Moloch.......

These words echoe throughout American history since. From the Korean War, to the Cold War and the Cuban Missile Crisis, To Vietnam, and then Iraq, Afghanistan and beyond. This militarism that Rev. Ames warned of, has seen the rapid decline of living standards in the American society and systemic erosion of the social safety net, an evisceration of civil liberties, and an alienation of the masses, both foreign and domestic. 

The Rev. Ames' of this day and age are seldom heard, listened to, or silenced altogether. As the world becomes increasingly entrenched in conflict, and subsequently destabilization, will we ever reach a point where even if we wanted to turn back and began listening to voices today similar to that of Rev. Ames, it would be too late? It is my hope that that will not be the case.

Notes:

Source: "Address of the Rev. Charles G. Ames," Anti-Imperialism. Speeches at the Meeting in Faneuil Hall, Boston, June 15, 1898 (Boston, 1898), pp. 9-16

Lawrence Laryea is an amateur independent blogger who doesn't know much at all, but tries his best to make sense of the world. Any questions or comments, he can be contacted at Killerteddybear666@gmail.com.  

   

Terrorists expulsion from Syria, gateway to peace: Webster Tarpley

Historian and Journalist Dr. Webster Tarpley gives his insight into what must be done in order for Syria to experience peace. Among him are co-founder of Syrian Youth in Britain Danny Imaki, and political analyst Mr. Omar Bakari.

Note: Please excuse me if I have misspelled the names of any of the latter two gentlemen.

This was featured on Press T.V

Banned Episode: Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura - Police State

The truth about the rising police/surveillance state that is in rapid manifestation inside the U.S.A

Host: Jesse Ventura; former U.S Navy Seal; former governor of Minnesota; revered author and political commentator.