In 2010, Professor Peter Turchin, who studies the mathematical science behind history, wrote that 2020 would usher in a 5- to 15-year cycle of violent upheaval. He suggested this is inevitable when there is an overproduction in the elite class and a massive gap between the rich and poor. Similarly, other books such as The Fourth Turning suggest that cyclical periods of chaos occur as normal, 80-year historical rhythms.
It appears we may indeed be living in interesting times.
With lockdowns, mandates, resulting supply chain turmoil and unprecedented increases in crime, we’re clearly witnessing something — perhaps the beginnings of the foretold unraveling which may extend worldwide.
This month something new was added to the mix: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and brewing talk of a world war. How do we make sense of this?
Nobody wants a kinetic war. Nobody wants to see our sons and daughters shipped off to be maimed or killed. At the same time, I am intensely concerned about and supportive of the Ukrainian people. Close friends of mine have family in danger and have sent equipment and resources to aid their resistance.
I’m also concerned for the Russian people. Both of these countries’ poor and middle classes will be ground to dust in the gears of war while their leaders play out a geopolitical contest that makes many of them wealthy.
But since the start of this conflict, we have seen intense propaganda and media manipulation coming from both sides. The same people who spent the last two years forcing masks on everyone and closing our businesses and churches are posting Ukrainian flags on their social media profiles. They also seem to advocate for our involvement in kinetic war, and if anyone questions their narrative, they accuse them of supporting the thuggish and massively corrupt Vladimir Putin.
As with COVID, they see no nuance.
Eerily, the same censorship policies foisted on doctors during COVID now seem to apply to this conflict as well. I don’t trust any of those policies.
On the Liberty Station Podcast, which I co-host, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing historians, intelligence analysts and current legislators. Weighing each of these perspectives, the broad struggle we’re in is becoming clearer to me.
I’ve said on record for the last two years that we are in a fourth- and fifth-generation war. It began decades ago; it is decentralized, has no clear front line and includes the underhanded strategies of lawfare and attacks against our economy and our ideals. It involves cyberattacks, propaganda and social engineering.
These may be times that try men’s souls but they also produce hearty, strong people and give us opportunity to come together in our communities.
Who is waging this war? Anyone who talks rapturously about a “Great Reset,” for one, plus tech oligarchs, most mega-corporations, international financiers and others who buy off our political elites and manipulate our government through lobbyists. They attend meetings in Davos and speak on panels at the World Economic Forum. They openly talk about a society in which “You own nothing, and you are happy.”
Sounds so fun.
The struggle is between those who would impose more or less global central authority based in the hands of a few and those of us still called “Americans,” who cherish freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Our country’s founding fathers were anti-globalists by definition, taking the wisdom of Judeo-Christian teachings supporting the idea of national sovereignty and decentralized forms of government. America’s founders — even its Federalists — were de-centralizers. The push toward centralized control of every aspect of human life is profoundly unAmerican. The struggle is not just for our sovereignty as a nation but for our freedoms as communities, families and individuals.
While we are being told to be concerned about the borders of other countries, we have opened our own to millions of illegal immigrants, drug traffickers, and a modern slave trade. I witnessed this myself while participating in a documentary and visits to the border over the last couple of months. I saw evidence of people who speak 21 different dialects pouring through our southern border — along with fentanyl and human trafficking victims. Do not let anyone lie to you about the national and personal tragedy unfolding on America’s southern border.
Should we be discouraged, ultimately? No. These may be times that try men’s souls but they also produce hearty, strong people and give us opportunity to come together in our communities. The way to fight centralized control — the antithesis of your basic liberties — is, quite simply, not to comply. Equip and educate yourself and your children. Take initiative in the fight for hearts, minds and power in the political realm. Gain and develop skills; build resources. Team up. Unify. Don’t be sidelined by fear.
Remember the great words still emblazoned on our currency: “In God We Trust.” From that place of trust, contend with everything you have for our families, our kids and our country.
Bryce Eddy is an executive at Covered6, a physical security services and vocational training school. He is also co-founder of 805 Combat Sports/ 805 Machado Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the training company www.JoinTheRatio.com launching in early 2022.
