Post by Lobo solitario on Apr 16, 2012 19:12:25 GMT -6
The New America Series
Book 3
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEEDE
CHAPTER 1
Bob Reader asked all the adults of the clan to come together to discuss some “mutual business” a fortnight after they buried their dead. The first order of business was the hard money they had gotten from the blue hats. Its existence was generally known, but the amount was a pleasant surprise.
There were; 192 1 ounce gold eagles; 228 silver Morgan dollars; 198 silver half dollars; 403 silver quarters; 368 silver dimes; 462 nickels; and 438 copper pennies. It was decided that the coins would be divided into equal shares. Every man who fought that day and survived without a wound would receive one share. Every man wounded would get a share and a half. The family of every man killed would get two shares. The medical and funeral expenses had already been paid.
It was suggested that Co. “C” of the California militia, a concept created from thin air by Bob Reader that day on the pass, be formalized. The concept was well received by the clan as a whole. It was decided that a committee be chosen from the 27 survivors of the battle to draft a charter and by laws. They got seven that were willing. These men would do battle with an army but not with a committee.
Before the next meeting of the clan copies of what the committee had agreed upon were distributed. It was passed after brief discussion and clarification. Membership was open to all members of the clan but was not compulsory. Anyone under the age of 17 had to have permission of a parent or adult guardian to join. Local non-clan members could petition to join and recruitment of suitable candidates was encouraged, but admission was subject to unanimous vote of the membership. Acceptance of children of any age was dependant only on their parents’ permission; the Idea being that while no one really expected an 8 year old to march off into battle, it was never too early to start learning safe and effective weapons handling, and how to defend yourself, your home, and others. And parents were the best ones to decide when a youngster was mature and responsible enough. One size fits all rules were going in the dumper. The company would be a democracy until the first shot was fired, if you disagreed with a certain plan of battle or involvement in a given dispute you did not have to participate, but once you committed to a fight others were depending on you, and you were expected to follow orders.
Company “C” was now no longer unorganized militia. All the men and a most of the women joined immediately. Again it was not expected that a lot of women would be marching of on any expeditionary actions or participating in any pitched battles unless absolutely necessary, but they wanted to be effective defenders of their homes. One of the first things that they did was elect Bob Reader to his self appointed position as Captain, much to his chagrin. The first thing he did was prevail on the most combat experienced man in the clan, a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant named Ron Wilson, to accept the rank of Major; promising that he would be his adjutant and handle the day to day pain in the ass stuff, If Ron would take command in the field. Ron accepted and it was put to a vote. It passed.
That is how Bob Reader wound up as secretary, treasurer, procurement agent, liaison officer, ambassador, and general all around gopher for Co. “C”. Which in turn is how he became a key part of the emerging network of militias (which were becoming of central importance in social organization), towns, communities, and various other associations, including political organizations.
While some telephone communication was being restored in the loyalist areas, it was largely localized, and only god knew who was listening in. Radio was even worse, a lot of networking was done electronically, but if you needed even nominal privacy, you had to meet in person. Fuel was available, and after the détente with the federal government the price was actually only outrageous and no longer obscene.
Bob traveled the length of the state on business for Co. “C” and the Trap River Valley at large. Militias and local governments were often intricately entwined. Bob made friends and contacts. He was well liked by most. And though Bob did not ever bring it up or try to play on it, it did not hurt that he had been branded the hero of Dove Spring Pass, by what passed for a communications network in loyalist California. If anyone brought it up, he would truthfully point out that he was not actually the commander of the little knot of militia that day. And that it could have just as easily been any man in the outfit that the blue hat commander approached. And most any of them would have capitalized on the circumstances just as he had. But no one ever seemed to see it that way. Most of them being in unorganized militias themselves, he reasoned they should be able to see that. He finally decided that sometimes people just need heroes, and let it go.
Chapter 2
So, largely as a result of his association with the California Militia, and his voluntary public service work, Bob Reader became one of the most widely known, liked, and respected men in the state. But it was still an absolute shock when one day, in a meeting with Bill downs, he was asked if he had ever thought about politics. Bill was his counterpart with the Sacramento Valley Volunteers, possibly the largest militia in the state.
Bob thought about the question; “Well, isn’t that kind of what we’re doin’ right now? I mean it’s a different model and all, but we’re makin’ things work for folks.”
Bill saw his opening; “Exactly. But the new president says we are going to have elections again soon. And if we don’t get off our duffs and give folks some good people to vote for we are going to have the same old sharks and lizards back in there and we will have to start shootin’ the bastards again.
Bob allowed as how Bill was right. Bill explained that some other good people where getting together and talking about the problem. He asked Bob if he would be willing to participate. Bob said he would be happy to.
His reasoning being that the Trap River Valley was a rather geographically isolated side canyon off California’s Central Valley. The central valley, with the San Joaquin river lending its name to the southern half, and the Sacramento, to its northern, was the world’s largest agricultural valley. Properly managed it could feed most of the nation and much of the world. To this behemoth Trap River Valley was a footnote. He felt if they did not keep a hand in the game his people would be passed by and lose their now exclusive say in their own affairs. It had happened before.
Book 3
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEEDE
CHAPTER 1
Bob Reader asked all the adults of the clan to come together to discuss some “mutual business” a fortnight after they buried their dead. The first order of business was the hard money they had gotten from the blue hats. Its existence was generally known, but the amount was a pleasant surprise.
There were; 192 1 ounce gold eagles; 228 silver Morgan dollars; 198 silver half dollars; 403 silver quarters; 368 silver dimes; 462 nickels; and 438 copper pennies. It was decided that the coins would be divided into equal shares. Every man who fought that day and survived without a wound would receive one share. Every man wounded would get a share and a half. The family of every man killed would get two shares. The medical and funeral expenses had already been paid.
It was suggested that Co. “C” of the California militia, a concept created from thin air by Bob Reader that day on the pass, be formalized. The concept was well received by the clan as a whole. It was decided that a committee be chosen from the 27 survivors of the battle to draft a charter and by laws. They got seven that were willing. These men would do battle with an army but not with a committee.
Before the next meeting of the clan copies of what the committee had agreed upon were distributed. It was passed after brief discussion and clarification. Membership was open to all members of the clan but was not compulsory. Anyone under the age of 17 had to have permission of a parent or adult guardian to join. Local non-clan members could petition to join and recruitment of suitable candidates was encouraged, but admission was subject to unanimous vote of the membership. Acceptance of children of any age was dependant only on their parents’ permission; the Idea being that while no one really expected an 8 year old to march off into battle, it was never too early to start learning safe and effective weapons handling, and how to defend yourself, your home, and others. And parents were the best ones to decide when a youngster was mature and responsible enough. One size fits all rules were going in the dumper. The company would be a democracy until the first shot was fired, if you disagreed with a certain plan of battle or involvement in a given dispute you did not have to participate, but once you committed to a fight others were depending on you, and you were expected to follow orders.
Company “C” was now no longer unorganized militia. All the men and a most of the women joined immediately. Again it was not expected that a lot of women would be marching of on any expeditionary actions or participating in any pitched battles unless absolutely necessary, but they wanted to be effective defenders of their homes. One of the first things that they did was elect Bob Reader to his self appointed position as Captain, much to his chagrin. The first thing he did was prevail on the most combat experienced man in the clan, a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant named Ron Wilson, to accept the rank of Major; promising that he would be his adjutant and handle the day to day pain in the ass stuff, If Ron would take command in the field. Ron accepted and it was put to a vote. It passed.
That is how Bob Reader wound up as secretary, treasurer, procurement agent, liaison officer, ambassador, and general all around gopher for Co. “C”. Which in turn is how he became a key part of the emerging network of militias (which were becoming of central importance in social organization), towns, communities, and various other associations, including political organizations.
While some telephone communication was being restored in the loyalist areas, it was largely localized, and only god knew who was listening in. Radio was even worse, a lot of networking was done electronically, but if you needed even nominal privacy, you had to meet in person. Fuel was available, and after the détente with the federal government the price was actually only outrageous and no longer obscene.
Bob traveled the length of the state on business for Co. “C” and the Trap River Valley at large. Militias and local governments were often intricately entwined. Bob made friends and contacts. He was well liked by most. And though Bob did not ever bring it up or try to play on it, it did not hurt that he had been branded the hero of Dove Spring Pass, by what passed for a communications network in loyalist California. If anyone brought it up, he would truthfully point out that he was not actually the commander of the little knot of militia that day. And that it could have just as easily been any man in the outfit that the blue hat commander approached. And most any of them would have capitalized on the circumstances just as he had. But no one ever seemed to see it that way. Most of them being in unorganized militias themselves, he reasoned they should be able to see that. He finally decided that sometimes people just need heroes, and let it go.
Chapter 2
So, largely as a result of his association with the California Militia, and his voluntary public service work, Bob Reader became one of the most widely known, liked, and respected men in the state. But it was still an absolute shock when one day, in a meeting with Bill downs, he was asked if he had ever thought about politics. Bill was his counterpart with the Sacramento Valley Volunteers, possibly the largest militia in the state.
Bob thought about the question; “Well, isn’t that kind of what we’re doin’ right now? I mean it’s a different model and all, but we’re makin’ things work for folks.”
Bill saw his opening; “Exactly. But the new president says we are going to have elections again soon. And if we don’t get off our duffs and give folks some good people to vote for we are going to have the same old sharks and lizards back in there and we will have to start shootin’ the bastards again.
Bob allowed as how Bill was right. Bill explained that some other good people where getting together and talking about the problem. He asked Bob if he would be willing to participate. Bob said he would be happy to.
His reasoning being that the Trap River Valley was a rather geographically isolated side canyon off California’s Central Valley. The central valley, with the San Joaquin river lending its name to the southern half, and the Sacramento, to its northern, was the world’s largest agricultural valley. Properly managed it could feed most of the nation and much of the world. To this behemoth Trap River Valley was a footnote. He felt if they did not keep a hand in the game his people would be passed by and lose their now exclusive say in their own affairs. It had happened before.