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"And then the Kossacks winked and let the protesters on through" [1]

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Date: 2025-06-11

Members of the military swear an oath to protect the constitution from “all enemies foreign and domestic”. The title of my piece comes from something Dan Carlin said when describing the Russian Revolution (my paraphrased title comes from an episode of “Blueprint for Armageddon”….I think). The exact place of my title inspiration isn’t my point, it’s the historical echo from the end of World War 1.

When given an unlawful order, the correct position is to disobey the unlawful order. A Court martial and procedural things will happen, but the worst will not. The members of the military forced to march in Trump’s birthday parade should be passive. If someone is morally conflicted about what they might be ordered to do, AWOL is the correct response to orders of war crimes, torture, and abuse of your fellow citizens. AWOL is extreme and not for everyone, but for those with regret, it’s how you voice your displeasure with the system. Holy f&%k would I love to show up to protest and support the troops in military jail because they decided to follow the oath they made to the constitution when they signed up and decided we are still a nation of laws and order.

AWOL is an option, but not for everyone. Everyone can have a bad day and be tired. Or not notice something. Malicious compliance is an option for others. Sabotage and counter protests are not useful, being absent-minded is very useful.

Trump and Miller are trying to create a new Reichstag fire in the ashes of the recent climate change fire in Los Angeles….what if they created an alliance between the military, the police, the protesters, and the mothers of immigrants instead?

I hope violence doesn’t happen, but there are historical paths that lead to good places….not every pathway from here leads to darkness. What if Trump held a parade and no one came? Military logistics is fast, but if the unit all says nope together at the last minute, who shows up quickly? Food poisoning is such a last minute illness but others exist I’m sure. AWOL isn’t an option, but everyone gets sick from time to time. Blame the raw milk or whatever weird RFK thing is useful for your circumstance.

America already thinks troops serve bravely….resistance is bravery, the people will support the troops who follow the constitution. Not just on a birthday, special day, “Flag Day”, but every day. THE TROOPS PROTECT THE PEOPLE OVERSEAS, THE PEOPLE PROTECT THE TROOPS AT HOME. It’s our social contract, we need the differences, they strengthen us. Let’s create the space to protect our troops and let them know ahead of time that we’ve got their backs for what comes next!!

I’ll do so by wearing plaid, it’s the color of my summer of 2025. Plaid is my Canadia costume, it’s my version of a red hat. I won’t wear white and surrender, I’ll go Braveheart and plaid. Lots of states have plaid, plaid is associated with certain demographics during Pride month....if rainbow isn’t for then you wear plaid to show you are an ally.

Plaid from Spaceballs influences Musk. Plaid from the Monty Python lumberjack song strikes another tone during Pride month. Elon will think he’s in on the joke because he makes ludicrous speed car go zoom. Let them all think they are in on the joke….wear plaid this summer, then if the worst times come…..wink, and let the protesters on through. Trump wants the visuals for television, two opposing lines is one visual....the protesters flowing through the police standing totally still, everyone peaceful, sends an entirely different message.

“Back the blue” can be a difficult sell to victims of police brutality, but if that thin blue line parts like the big Red Sea and refugees flow through with someone dressed as Moses carrying the constitution….well that sends a message of an entirely different kind to Christian Fascists nationwide, now doesn’t it? Honey Badger don’t give a f@#k, but Monty Python said “I’m a lumberjack and I don’t care”….be more like Monty Python in 2025. The world is absurd, embrace the funny.

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