Yesterday I blew a fuse - and I did so with relish and verve.
I had just received a blood-curdling telephone death threat, which is still on my answering machine and which I am going to put on a tape just so some grousing people understand what it means to do what I do. What it costs - in money, in time, in nerves, in energy, in loss of reputation and standing in the community. I could go on and on - but trust you me, I am not conking out! Perish the very thought!
I merely said I needed comrades who did more than yak-yakking on some fence. I said, quoting the much-maligned Führer - just to give him a plug :) - that roping together 16 cripples did not make a gladiator.
I told people to shape up or ship out - that our struggle was serious and not a mere spectator sport. I said that I needed support. A minimum of understanding. Some elbow room and leeway - not Monday-morning quarterbacking. In essence I said to my ZGram readership around the globe: "Cut me some slack. And please do your part. For me to keep fighting, I need more than words. Above all else, I need financial reinforcement so I can buy more equipment, hire talent, sustain and update the intellectual sorties in my arsenal."
And to myself I added: "Well, now you really did it! There go probably half of your friends."
Not so. Only one person, so far, said "REMOVE!" - the very one who made me blow a fuse!
He is not going to be missed.
The rest of the letters, so far, have been kind and supportive. Whether my blast will translate into "Zundelsite Socks" - i.e. an increase in sustained financial contributions - remains to be seen, but a beginning has been made, and I feel like a thunderstorm has passed and left some clean, fresh air.
This morning I am already plotting about finding myself a novelty outfit that will print up some socks that say in big fat letters: "Sock it to 'em!" Come hell or high water - we are going to "Sock it to 'em!" And those yak-yakkers sitting on the fence - well, let them sit and yak!
I am reminded of Ernst's reference to his volunteer helpers - he calls them his Foreign Revisionist Legion! - during the two Great Holocaust Trials who arrived from all over the globe, who remained loyal to him and who have helped to shape and sustain his many different struggles. He sometimes compares them to the hundreds of thousands of brave European volunteers who joined Germany's life-and-death struggle against Bolshevism in the famous elite units of the Waffen-SS. Aren't you tempted to become part of my Cyber Elite? That's right. I said "Elite"!
In a much mellower mood, I share with you one of yesterday's letters:
Dear Ingrid:
For your information, I was a graduate of the U.S. Navy Journalist School in Great Lakes, Illinois in 1961 and have practiced the craft off and on for that many years.
I don't know who has been complaining about your writing talents, but I am very critical of all news articles, having been trained to be just that.
For what it's worth, I have always marvelled at your unique skill with words, your accuracy in grammar and punctuation, not to mention your unmatched solid focus and centeredness. Perhaps most amazing to me is your tireless effort. If I had half your energy, I'd accomplish twice as much.
Having been somewhat in your position in life at times, I think I recognize the symptoms of temporary "burnout". You are working very hard and your efforts often seem thankless. Then, just when you would appreciate a kind word, a letter from some grouch comes along.
If I might be so presumptuous as to give advice, I would suggest you not take such grumblings very seriously. In light of the overall scheme of things, they are about as meaningful as a raindrop in the Mississippi.
Upon reflection, you must agree it appears God has placed you in a very unique position. You, above all people, have been visited with the bone-wearying struggles which honed your character in early life. These struggles, which you met and conquered, prepared your mind for the conflict in which you are now engaged and which you handle so well, particularly with so little resources. This background in itself is not singularly unique. What makes it so in your case is the development of the Internet. For the first time in history as we know it, the heartfelt message from someone with your individual perspective can be shared with the whole world in the flash of a keystroke. You alone can do this. No one else in the entire history of mankind has done it or yet can do it.
That is a miracle and you are the person by which it is carried into tangible form.
Perhaps you might agree that in light of this perspective, the grumblings of a few small-minded folk mean very little indeed.
And, as evidenced by your admission, these letters are vastly outweighed by those who appreciate your efforts.
All my socks match at this time, but will see what can be done never-the-less. <end>
Thought for the Day:
"In the end, it is the ants that carry off the dinosaurs."
(Slade - cyber activist par excellence)