My #WalkAway Story Series: Susan

My #WalkAway Story Series is a bigger and more long term project for A Lady of Reason, and it’s all about YOU! This is your big chance at getting your voice heard and your own story out there! For many closeted conservatives, afraid for our livelihood, social networks, family connections, even physical safety now, being stuck in the closet can be extremely isolating and it’s easy to feel like it’s you against the world sometimes! I certainly feel that way! By sharing our stories collectively, I hope to give a voice to you, my dear readers and followers here on WordPress and Social Media, to show each other camaraderie and that in fact, we’re NOT alone, just in the shadows. Well folks, it’s time to come out of the shadows and into the light! The “silent majority” is at least half of our nation, so you’re not truly alone. Come and hear others, and add your own voice, your own story to the mix, of what it’s like being a conservative in an increasingly Leftist country! Send me an e-mail at aladyofreason@outlook.com or direct message me at @aladyofreason1 on Twitter to add YOUR story!!! 🙂 I’ll send you the standard question list, or you can just write it free form as a narrative…

This #WalkAway story comes from Susan, another awesome conservative who reached out to me to do an interview via Twitter!

Tell me about yourself briefly:

Well I’m 50 years old. Caucasian and grew up with a conservative military father and a radically liberal mother lol! I really didn’t think about politics until I was 20 newly sober and a single mother of a half Hispanic daughter. By this time I was living in Anchorage, Alaska and I wanted to help all of the marginalized people I was aware of! So I set out to earn my BA in Social Work at UAA. After 7 years and additionally a AA degree in Human Resources I was absolutely through trying to deal with the crazy professors and bureaucracy. And had started to see a lot of truth in what my fiancé of 4 years had been saying. I graduated went to doing my husbands books and putting our money to work on Wall Street. Oh and raising our (5) kids, 3 stepsons and a boy and girl of my own. My last child was from said husband.

When did you become conservative? If you were ever liberal, what made you walk away?

I still feel strong support for gay men and women but I really worry about children who are confused, how they got that way and why it’s encouraged. Also I currently live from state support because of my many health issues but that’s another story. So I can see where if utilized properly it is an effective tool but let me tell you I think it is a disgrace how many able bodied people with no children are getting handouts. So now here I am in Southern California, thinking it was pretty conservative and alone. Look I’ve been through a lot in my life. Twenty years of emotional, financial and psychological abuse. Rape last summer. Addiction that took me out after 20 years of sobriety and yet here I am in a conservative but great relationship again and having to seek assistance but I am fiscally, morally and by all other norms a conservative. I have a very strong drive to see justice done but I don’t think our president, his family or conservatives in general are getting a fair shake! I don’t believe in blatantly following because he/she said so! I lost respect for HRC when she stayed with Bill!!! And have zero respect for her for many reasons today! I do respect Donald J. Trump and all he stands for. All he has and is doing for our country. I do believe we are a country built of migrants but not one demanding to be let in and supported and certainly not if they are violent on their approach. I do believe that welfare, ugh I cringe at the word, can and is useful but not for anyone or everyone and certainly not for years!!!

Do you feel at all afraid to be openly conservative? If so, how do you cope with being closeted?

So I speak with my boyfriend and I come speak out on Twitter, but none of my family know I’m on there and unfortunately my “mothers” (yes my mom and her partner of 35 years got married) are radically liberal. I’m pretty sure they know I’m not but have agreed to not talk politics with me. One of my neighbors is conservative so I can talk to her but she doesn’t follow everyday like I do. Honestly I thought to myself if that young girl in NY can get elected to Congress surely I can, however, I cannot stand longer than a short line at the supermarket so how would I handle speakers etc. Lol! I guess I can honestly say also that while I feel overwhelmed by the dishonesty and meanness on the left, to try to talk to one of them is really difficult. I have all these well researched facts but immediately when I’m looked at and treated like a monster I fail to be able to articulate a thing.

What advice to you have for other conservatives afraid to speak out?

And last I think your blog about being a conservative at Thanksgiving dinner with liberals makes excellent points on how to handle speaking out. Simply put, know your facts, don’t try to “win” and be willing to walk away. On the other hand I think it’s about time that we follow great examples set by the Fox News team and confront stupidity!!! Thank you for giving me the chance! Sincerely, Susan

Thank you, Susan! Your story needs to be heard too! I’m sorry you went through so much in your life already, but you’re a victor, not a victim as Candace Owens says 🙂 Stay strong, patriot! We need you to speak out and show others we’re not as alone as we think, and of course, you’re always welcome to comment and speak your mind on my blog 🙂

My #WalkAway Story Series: Suzanne

My #WalkAway Story Series is a bigger and more long term project for A Lady of Reason, and it’s all about YOU! This is your big chance at getting your voice heard and your own story out there! For many closeted conservatives, afraid for our livelihood, social networks, family connections, even physical safety now, being stuck in the closet can be extremely isolating and it’s easy to feel like it’s you against the world sometimes! I certainly feel that way! By sharing our stories collectively, I hope to give a voice to you, my dear readers and followers here on WordPress and Social Media, to show each other camaraderie and that in fact, we’re NOT alone, just in the shadows. Well folks, it’s time to come out of the shadows and into the light! The “silent majority” is at least half of our nation, so you’re not truly alone. Come and hear others, and add your own voice, your own story to the mix, of what it’s like being a conservative in an increasingly Leftist country! Send me an e-mail at aladyofreason@outlook.com or direct message me at @aladyofreason1 on Twitter to add YOUR story!!! 🙂 I’ll send you the standard question list, or you can just write it free form as a narrative…

This #WalkAway story comes from a fellow Lady of Reason named Suzanne! This is how she walked away and came to appreciate the conservative side:

When did you become conservative? If you were ever liberal, what made you walk away?

Well …. I walked away 25 years ago and am walking further and further every day! After being raised by conservative, extremely kind, ethical, hard working parents who valued hard work and accountability, I became more liberal/independent in a liberal NYC college in the 80’s. Conservatives were evil to this group, as they are now. After marrying a hard working man with his own business I realized the scam of liberals taking our tax money for their liberal ideology and groups I did not agree with. I continued to listen to conservative talk radio and stay out of politics but vote Republican.Hillary was a diameter and embarrassment to NY, then Obama turned our country into the leftist state it is becoming, I was no longer to be respected. I was a racist and privileged white person instead of a hard working woman who cared about values and safety and was against abortion on demand. Them when Donald Trump ran, I was energized to take more interest in our country direction. MAGA people were like me, normals, against the radical left.

I first embraced liberal ideas in a liberal NYC college in the 80’s. Only because it was the thing to do (although we were happy liberals, something that does not seem to exist now). After marrying a hard working man with his own business, I starter to realize what a sham the Democrats had become. They didn’t care about me or about the excellence of the individual. They just wanted our tax money to increase their power and sow division. I started to really appreciate my conservative hard working amazing parents and how they raised their family to be responsible and self-reliant. Thru Obama and Hillary I was angrier and angrier about how they treated us, normal Americans. I am NOT a racist, sexist, dumb stupid frail woman as they profess. When Trump ran, I felt more energized ! I was so excited because I knew people that worked for him and loved him. Then,disappointed as the left attacked us “deplorables” more and more and saw how divided this country become. I just got more and more emboldened in my views and now see more clearly the truth of the lefts hatred of American values.

Do you feel at all afraid to be openly conservative? If so, how do you cope with being closeted?

Its shocking how friends with liberal views have cut me off but I continue to let people know I support conservative values, hoping this helps us turn a corner back to sanity, The good thing is there are LOTS more like me, Yes, a lot of them whisper it like we are in a secret club. Time to stop that. Let’s have a coming out party…go say ” Yes mom and dad, co-worker, brothers, sisters, I am a conservative!”

What advice to you have for other conservatives afraid to speak out?

Come out of the closet! Not with hatred and anger like the left. Practice your FACTS so you can inform. Acknowledge their feelings but ask them to listen to facts. Maybe if they can’t deny the good things happening you might convince someone to walk away.

Thank so much Suzanne! your voice is valuable in the fight for common sense and reason! It is true many do feel pressure to be closeted, but you’re right: at some point we must come out and speak! If not now, then later down the road when you have less to lose, or this country (hopefully) becomes more tolerant! In the meantime, you’re always welcome to speak out more here on A Lady of Reason!

My #WalkAway Story Series: Maria

My #WalkAway Story Series is a bigger and more long term project for A Lady of Reason, and it’s all about YOU! This is your big chance at getting your voice heard and your own story out there! For many closeted conservatives, afraid for our livelihood, social networks, family connections, even physical safety now, being stuck in the closet can be extremely isolating and it’s easy to feel like it’s you against the world sometimes! I certainly feel that way! By sharing our stories collectively, I hope to give a voice to you, my dear readers and followers here on WordPress and Social Media, to show each other camaraderie and that in fact, we’re NOT alone, just in the shadows. Well folks, it’s time to come out of the shadows and into the light! The “silent majority” is at least half of our nation, so you’re not truly alone. Come and hear others, and add your own voice, your own story to the mix, of what it’s like being a conservative in an increasingly Leftist country! Send me an e-mail at aladyofreason@outlook.com or direct message me at @aladyofreason1 on Twitter to add YOUR story!!! 🙂 I’ll send you the standard question list, or you can just write it free form as a narrative…

This next #WalkAway story is from Maria, who has bravely spoken out about her story, despite fear of liberal backlash on her business! Here’s her story:

Tell me about yourself briefly:

How about “Rapidly aging research analyst who writes mystery romance fiction as a sideline, just to prove Ocasio-Cortez’ theory about everyone having two jobs.”? 😉 Boring side notes: Married, 2 kids in college, live out in the country (mostly because the city is way too liberal)…

When did you become conservative? If you were ever liberal, what made you walk away?

I flirted with liberalism in college, for the same reason many do–it struck me as the kind, fair, caring political stance. Then I went to graduate school in business and came to understand free markets and how hand-outs tend to perpetuate poverty as opposed to “curing” it. Ultimately, I realized that the political label which fits me best is Libertarian: don’t care how anyone else lives their life, as long as they don’t push it on me and don’t expect me to pay for it!

Do you feel at all afraid to be openly conservative? If so, how do you cope with being closeted?

Yes, definitely afraid to be openly conservative, except among close friends. I live in a very liberal area (Raleigh-Durham area), and I would never wear a MAGA hat or a flag shirt. That’s really sad, but I would be afraid of being attacked verbally or asked to leave a place, as others have been. I felt very alone before the 2016 election, but then my husband and I started finding more and more people on YouTube and Twitter who felt as we did, and I started to realize we weren’t the last freedom-loving Americans around! The election, of course, cemented that. The internet has remained my safe haven since.

What advice to you have for other conservatives afraid to speak out?

I wish I had some. In addition to a regular full-time job, I make money selling books on Amazon. I am terrified that some SJW will smear all my books and leave a million bad reviews for them, because of my views. Sometimes, I think I should go totally back into hiding, so I have no advice to offer!

Thank you so much! It is indeed a shame you and countless others feel afraid to be openly conservative and speak out! The leftist lunacy is rampant, but our voices must be heard, and I commend your immense courage in getting yours out there too! I really hope you don’t stop speaking out, and yes, the internet is a great place to reach a ton of people, and stay anonymous! Ideas are what matter most, and they may silence us in our personal lives, but our ideas live on online 🙂 Keep writing and speaking out! You can do both, you just have to be careful not to overlap the two! Best of luck in your endeavors, and you’re always welcome to speak more on my blog!

The “Elephant” in The Room: Being a Conservative in a Family of Liberals

The table is set, the dinner filling the kitchen with a sweet aroma, the finest silverware and china is laid out, the memories of years past fill the room…

For most of us, we automatically envision the sentimental Hallmark image of a family gathering around the holidays, with generations all in harmony. Remembrances of the past, of the “good old days”, and looking toward a future of more fun memories yet to come. The whole family, aunts, uncles, cousins, in laws, all together plucked from their busy schedules to remind everyone of the value of family. Uncle Joe started his new business. Cousin Mary is settling into college. Aunt Lisa got some new clippings for her garden. Grandpa and Grandma came back from their bucket list luxury cruise. Seems like everyone’s got something new to share this year! However, reality can be quite the rude awakening from the idyllic scene you’re daydreaming…

There goes Aunt Susie again on how Trump will start the next nuclear holocaust! Cousin so and so is talking incessantly over the latest anti-Trump (insert cause here) rally and joined the Social Justice League on campus, and your in-laws are decrying all the “microagressions” they were “triggered” by this past week! Uncle Steve who’s a Black Lives Matter fan keeps accusing his brother, who’s a cop of being a racist, since “all cops are racist”, and everyone is angry it’s Thanksgiving, since it celebrates the genocide of the Native Americans, and is a “colonialist atrocity” that’s triggering! Not to mention, Mr. and Mrs. Snow(flake) have been invited over from next door, but feel uncomfortable at the lack of diversity amongst the gathering…

This may sound far fetched, but for many families, this is the reality! More and more conservatives feel “in the closet” as our society becomes more rampantly liberal. The 2016 election has divided many people in America, and almost like a second civil war, it can be brother against brother! So, what’s a conservative to do at a gathering that is majority liberal? The easiest path would be the wise advice to stay away from sensitive topics in mixed company, such as politics, however, not all circumstances are so easy to judge! What about that conversation about how all conservatives are backwards bigots who hate any social progress? Or the one where blatant propagandized lies that are obviously false are sworn as holy truth? One may be able to hold their tongue to keep the peace, but there’s only so far people can go, so many years of the same diatribes, before the urge to say at least something will spring forth! Better not to wait until you’re ready to explode! There should be nothing wrong with being allowed to put in an articulate view, or rebuttal now and then.

You see, the issue is not in itself, about how to one up your relatives in a family gathering political debate, but the double standard that often exists in such gatherings that the liberals are allowed to openly speak an opinion, yet it is often the conservatives that get told to hold their tongues and shut up! Why doesn’t the “no politics at dinner” rule apply equally to ALL parties? I can see, that in a majority liberal family, you are indeed the “outlier” or the “radical”, but if politics and social issues are “on the table” so to speak, why must conservatives be shut up simply becuase we hold the opposing view? It’s just another example of radical liberal double standards and hypocrisy! Is it fair that Uncle Joe can spew all the vitriol he wants about Trump and accuse you of “white fragility” while you are expected to shut up and take it to keep the peace? Is it fair that the family friend gets to grill you about “racial solidarity” or “internalized misogyny” because you’re a conservative of color or a woman?

It may be understandable, if one is super-humanly gallant, to stay out of the liberals sounding off in their intellectual echo chamber on their own, in fact, may be the most peaceful course of action, but direct insults to you personally should not be tolerated. That for me, is where the line is crossed. You can spew all you want about Trump causing nuclear war, you can whine about how “triggered” you are, or how you’re going to kneel for the anthem after dinner at the Thanksgiving football game, you can say any brainwashed hooey you want amongst your liberal comrades, but call ME a name? It’s on! I wouldn’t advise returning rudeness with rudeness and lowering yourself to vitriol yourself, but having an articulate comeback ready can outwit the most vitriolic of snowflakes, and even if it doesn’t, and they keep spewing hooey, you know you were the one who made the most sense! And it shows your class and intelligence to all who witness, even if they don’t say it.

If complete silence is not realistic for you otherwise, an articulate, intelligent, well researched rebuttal would be in order. Got the statistics wrong? The story isn’t straight? Tell them politely and professionally. The aim of the game is not always to convert and convince. That’s way too unrealistic considering the radical liberals! The aim is to present an intellectual challenge, a new unconsidered point, and to show others present opposition is not always hostile, or heated, but can be intellectual. You can’t ultimately control what others think or say, so don’t agonize over it. However, you do have control over how you present yourself in a debate, and show how articulate you can be.

When have we come to the point where we cast others out into the darkness simply because we disagree on politics? Why is everything about character and morality, and anyone with a different view is a bad person, not just a bad debater? Poor character is a whole other ballpark than poor logic! If we demonize our opponents, we close our minds to all the nuances, and facts of their view. Just because someone’s view is unpopular, doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any merit, even if it’s not strong enough to sway you. I’m going to admit something: I have liberal friends too. I’m a social conservative, and am socially at odds with many of my liberal peers, acquaintances and friends. However, I can still be friends, and ground our friendship on mutually shared opinions, interests, and values. I’ll admit that while radical snowflakes are not friends of mine, moderate liberals who will listen to my points certainly can be 🙂 The thing is, the labels of “liberal” and “conservative” do not define us as a whole multidimensional person. I have some views that are more traditionally liberal (albeit a few with nuances). I like topics many liberals like too outside politics. If I alienated everyone who didn’t think as I do, I’d be one lonely person!  I’ll reach out and be allies with religious conservatives even though I’m not religious. I’ll connect with the secular community even though many are liberal. I just find our common ground, and leave the rest. Liberals, conservative friends open your minds to new ideas, and can be like any friend that you can hang with and have common interests. A spirited debate is not an argument if both sides can shake hands in the end. The same rules go for family, only the stakes are higher! You only have one family, and family ought to be cherished and the bonds nurtured, as no one will be there for you like family. A family divided is common now, but a sad, sad thing 😦

Overall, try to keep politics a forbidden topic at the table, but if it comes up, you have just as much right as anyone else present to speak your mind. A last but hopefully encouraging point is, experiments have shown such as the Asch experiment, that if even one person speaks up in the minority view, others will feel far more comfortable, and often have the courage to do so as well. Speaking out has another benefit other than for your views or yourself: it can give others the courage to “come out” and speak out too 🙂

Share some of your stories of liberal lunacy over the holidays! What were some of the craziest things to happen at a family gathering in your family ? 🙂 Comment below…

The (New) Modern Woman…

The image of the “modern woman” has pervaded since the rise of all waves of feminism. She may be different depending on the era, the woman who could vote, the woman who could work, the woman who could wear pants, get dirty, own property, choose her husband, plan her family or chose not to have one, think for herself, be heard in the world, have a voice in society, etc..etc… The modern woman was one who could look to a bright future for herself, on her own terms. It’s a vision that all women like to think of themselves being able to be. However, like most idealistic visions, the reality often falls short. Am I saying that the “modern woman” ideal is necessarily bad, in the qualities listed above? No, not really. I want women to have autonomy, to get to choose her life choices, to decide who she deems worthy of marriage, to think for herself and be heard in the world, yes, all of those are not things I’m against. The problem arises though when this vision goes to extremes and becomes radicalized. The “modern woman” of today is not what our grandmothers and great grandmothers who fought for the vote pictured in their youth!!!

The “modern woman” of today is one who embraces vulgarity, loudness, and vitriol over the strength that comes from valid ideas and the feminine softness of ladies past. She is one who embraces sexual anarchy rather than sexual freedom through promiscuity and immodesty rather than tempered choices. She is one who will flaunt that sleazy vulgarity through “pussy hats”, dressing like vaginas, smearing fake blood to mimic menstruation as “girl power”, and shun all aspects of traditional femininity. To her, sex is a handshake not a milestone. A child is a burden personally and professionally to be cast aside and neglected emotionally, mentally, even physically lest it get in her way of being the “modern woman”. Motherhood is enslaving, not her highest calling as a woman. A man is the enemy, a hindrance and source of all oppression just waiting to force her back in the kitchen! Divorce is normal for the empowered woman, and marriage is merely dating 2.0. The honor and privilege of being a wife is now erased through terms like “Ms.”. Feminine dress is seen as enslaving and dis-empowering, as she must mimic a man in all aspects of her life to feel worth something as a person. She must have a career like a man does, earn like he does, dress like he does, think like he does, even talk like he does to feel worthy and empowered. A man in all but name! She must talk back, never compromise or acquiesce to her husband or father’s wishes, even partially least she be oppressed by the patriarchy! Protest male only spaces while entitled to women only spaces. Hate standards of beauty, decry make-up, bras, nail polish, beauty products, as part of the “patriarchy”. Mistakes bossiness and pushiness for healthy assertiveness and confidence. Sees perversion, injustice and oppression in girls being girls and embracing girl things such as dolls, dresses, fairy tales etc… Be the perpetual victim, damsel in distress when it suits them such as the #MeToo card, etc… etc…

That said, many reasonable women who decry the hypocrisy, inherent sexism, condescension, and vitriol of the radical feminist movement would think the notion of the “modern woman” must be thrown out! However I propose the idea can be reclaimed for the positive. There is a way, I feel to reach a healthy middle ground in this desire for more equality, while also embracing traditional feminine virtues and our womanhood as is, not feminist imposed pseudo-manhood! I propose a vision where we can be ladies of elegance and grace, like our grandmothers, while also embracing some positive aspects of the desire for increased autonomy and independence for women of today. Being a lady does not mean you have to be stuck in 1918 in 2018 😉 For example:

• The modern woman can make her own choices, but chooses them because she should, not merely because she can!
• The modern woman uses her freedom to enhance her life, not spite others, such as doing something specifically to “spite the patriarchy”…
• The modern woman has sexual freedom, but not sexual anarchy! She knows with freedom comes responsibility, and embracing hook up culture only leads to danger, unhappiness, STD’s, unwanted pregnancy, etc…etc…
• The modern woman chooses her partner freely, without being coerced or forced by her father, but honors and cherishes the man she chooses and respects his wishes…
• The modern woman can embrace a marriage of equals in dignity and worth, with separate but complimentary roles…
• The modern woman can give her heart and her person to one man in marriage, till death do you part, be “one flesh” with him and give yourself to him without being his “property”, as he ought to do the same for you. She knows that she is forever his, and he is forever hers… She embraces the title of wife (“Mrs.”) as an honor, not a slave-name!
• The modern woman is not “dependent” on a man, but leans on him, looks to him in times of hardship and vulnerability for him to be her rock and protector, with the knowledge she does so freely and that she will be his rock in his time of need. She knows she can share her sorrows and joys with him, without being “dependent” and “weak”…
• The modern woman listens to the wise counsel and guidance of her father in her younger years and as a budding woman, so that she will not be lead astray by bad people and tricked by her own naivety to the world, without feeling her father owns her and micromanages her life! She lets him give her away at the alter, in the spirit of transferring the role of his love and support to her new husband, who when he passes, will be her rock as he once was. Not in the sense it is a literal transfer of property anymore!
• The modern woman can be a leader without leading the same way a man might go about it. She realizes that the strongest people can be the most soft spoken and gentle in nature but rise to every challenge…
• The modern woman can embrace traditional feminine dress and styles, and live her life unhindered by that choice without the pressure to wear pants just because a man does! Her worth comes from inside her, not what’s covering her legs!
• The modern woman can be the keeper of the home, nurturer of the family, and be worth more than anything to her family and to a wholesome society of intact families raised in love and devotion.
• The modern woman can have a career, but values the title of M.O.M. or M.R.S. over any degree or credential or title she might earn!
• The modern woman can speak her mind and use her voice for the betterment of her society, but does so through facts, logic and reason, not vitriol, shouting and ad-hominem attacks!
• The modern woman defends the wronged, not as a man should through physical strength, but in her own special way, through using her voice as a woman to advocate for wrongly accused men for example in this #MeToo hysteria, or the neglected and devalued child by the ideology of radical feminism as another…
• The modern woman can think in a deep intellectual manner, but not forget her manners as a lady in her conduct and get heated and spew vitriol at the opposition!
• The modern woman knows assertiveness and confidence is NOT snapping orders and domineering over others, rather the persistent, quiet and reasoned assertiveness and knowledge of her skills and her worth…
• The modern woman is responsible for her actions, and accepts the consequences with grace and understanding, not crying victim, and blaming everyone but herself for her own transgressions.
• The modern woman is not a victim, but empowered to stand her ground in the face of injustice and unethical coercion. She has the power to choose integrity over the superficial rewards coercion has to offer her.
• The modern woman has a voice to be heard, but conveys her ideas with elegance and grace as a lady, not a “Nasty Woman”…
• The modern woman can be a true lady, one of elegance, refinement and grace as her fore-mothers did before her, while also embracing the modern freedoms women can have….

Overall, the “modern woman” of reason, is a lady in spirit and character, while taking the best female empowerment has to offer such as increased autonomy and independence. She is bright, driven, a victor, not a victim, a leader, a nurturer, a devoted partner, a dutiful daughter, a loving mother, a person of integrity and accountability, a deep independent thinker, a person of refinement, has strength in her quietness, embraces her traditional femininity and is above all, a LADY!

A “Matriarchy” is NOT what I have in mind for empowering women!

My #WalkAway Story Series: James

My #WalkAway Story Series is a bigger and more long term project for A Lady of Reason, and it’s all about YOU! This is your big chance at getting your voice heard and your own story out there! For many closeted conservatives, afraid for our livelihood, social networks, family connections, even physical safety now, being stuck in the closet can be extremely isolating and it’s easy to feel like it’s you against the world sometimes! I certainly feel that way! By sharing our stories collectively, I hope to give a voice to you, my dear readers and followers here on WordPress and Social Media, to show each other camaraderie and that in fact, we’re NOT alone, just in the shadows. Well folks, it’s time to come out of the shadows and into the light! The “silent majority” is at least half of our nation, so you’re not truly alone. Come and hear others, and add your own voice, your own story to the mix, of what it’s like being a conservative in an increasingly Leftist country! Send me an e-mail at aladyofreason@outlook.com or direct message me at @aladyofreason1 on Twitter to add YOUR story!!! 🙂 I’ll send you the standard question list, or you can just write it free form as a narrative…

This wonderful #WalkAway story comes from James, a Twitter fan who reached out to me via direct message! I apologize if anyone could not contact me before by direct message on Twitter, but now I have remedied the issue so if anyone wants to, they can send me a message request asking for the #WalkAway question list 🙂 James’ WalkAway story is very insightful and worth the read!

Tell me about yourself briefly:

My name is James. I am an American, born and raised, and I am in my early thirties. I am a practicing attorney and I deal in international contract law. My career has afforded me the opportunity to travel and live in many different countries. I am currently based in Colombia.

When did you become conservative? If you were ever liberal, what made you walk away?

I don’t know that I “became” a conservative so much as I always was one and just didn’t know it. When I was in high school and college, I called myself a liberal but only as a result of never having met a self-identified conservative. For that matter, I never recall encountering libertarians or anarchists or agrarians or any other type of politically involved person. Until I was in my mid-twenties, everyone I met was either leftist or politically agnostic.

I went to a Jesuit high school and then on to undergraduate and law at a Jesuit university. As you may know, the Jesuits are very deep in to social justice. During my tenure under “The Order”, I was heavily involved in social justice and liberation theology politics. As I reflect on it now, it seems hilarious. Many of the Jesuit priests I knew were engaged in teaching ideas considered heretical by the Catholic Church (pro-abortion, pro-divorce, and so on).

Once I left law school and entered the real world, the economic realities of life began to immediately hit me. My previous leftist leanings in this area began to fade rather quickly. I did not enjoy paying near 50% of my income to the government, only to turn around and aid clients (corporations, unions, NGOs) in bilking the government for that same money. However, I remained resolutely socially liberal. Specifically, I was heavily indoctrinated in to women’s rights issues.

My conversion in to social conservatism was merely a matter of changing my identifier, as I had really been quite conservative my whole life. Although, I didn’t know it. I dated the same woman from the time I was in high school until my last year of law school. We broke up and I entered the contemporary dating market with eyes wide shut… at 23 years of age. The first woman I dated after law school was my boss’s daughter (he set us up). She was very in to women’s issues, as well. As she should have been, because it turned out she had been working as a prostitute for a number of years. When her father and I found out, not only did her “woke” friends help her move out of her fathers house, they also assisted in filing suit for parental abuse and neglect against the man. I have known him for many years. The man is a saint.

There was a lot more to it than that, but suffice it to say that I began to question exactly what purpose much of the feminist doctrine I had been taught actually served. As I continued dating, my poor innocent conscience was shocked by the things I was hearing from the (often upper middle class) women I was dating. You name the issue and I have a story. Tattoos from head to toe. Morbid obesity masquerading as body positivity. Three kids out of wedlock or three abortions to avoid it. More sexual partners than a whole neighborhood of women would have had “back I the day”. But the worst of it was that it all came with an attitude of extreme entitlement – the idea that any man should just accept them as they were, with no improvement and no explanation.

All of this drove me to actually read some of the foundational feminist thought leaders. And… my eyes were opened. I would encourage anyone who supports feminism to please read notable feminist author (Greer, perhaps as she is a bit more palatable). It will cure you of your feminism completely. And so I walked away, leaving some family and lifelong friends.

Do you feel at all afraid to be openly conservative? If so, how do you cope with being closeted?

How I feel about openly espousing conservative views depends on where I am. When I am in the US, I spend a lot of time in NYC, LA, and Chicago. I simply do not discuss politics in these places. It is too great a risk to my business. However, when I am in South America or, even, Russia or China, I am fairly open about it. That I feel more at ease speaking freely in the latter two countries than the United States should frighten anyone with any sense.

I deal with being a closeted conservative in the US by spending as little time as possible there. I very much regret to say that travel has caused much of the luster of America to fade. If I do return to live full time in the US, I will most likely move to a more rural area in the Western states.

What advice to you have for other conservatives afraid to speak out?

I will not offer untested advice. I will only tell you what I am doing. Much of the fear I see comes from conservatives afraid of institutional and social retribution. I am minimizing the potential for this in my own life. I have opened my own legal firm and I am broadly diversifying my client base. I have extended my social network to include people I otherwise might not interact with – farmers, blue collar workers, the devoutly religious. They are some of the most decent and down to earth people I have ever met. And, as I alluded to earlier, I am looking at relocating to a more rural environment in a red state. I hope you will find, as I am finding, that minimizing the downside allows a person a certain political freedom and license they might not otherwise have in these crazy times.

Thanks so so much James!!! I agree that while closeted, interacting with a diverse base of people does help you open your mind to others, such as fellow conservatives 🙂 I agree with your take on how feminism has become too radicalized! It’s hard, I’d think in Law to be openly conservative, as in many jobs, since the whole smearing of Kavanaugh by his own law Alma Mater!!! All I can say is stay strong and persist… To borrow the Lefty terms: Resist! Persist! 😉 Of course, you’re always welcome to write for my blog anytime! We need voices like yours to show others they’re not alone!

 

We Need A Strong Defense…

Veteran’s day is a day to remember the valiant defenders of our country! Through their sacrifice and bravery, we can enjoy the freedoms that we as Americans cherish and are able to set as an example to the world! Our armed forces have defended us on land, sea and in the skies to ensure each and every one of us is safe and protected! We must not take that for granted, as in many other places, safety, as we can well see just by turning on our TV’s, is not a guarantee for most of the world!

The have-nots want what others have, it’s just human nature. It’s also human nature however, to take what one wants by any means possible, often unethically and through force. “Might makes right” for the majority of the world is the rule of thumb. However, in countries such as ours and others, diplomacy and democracy are the better path of choice. We strive for peace, but go to war to defend ourselves against others who want what we have. Our riches, our goods, our technologies, our job opportunities, our social advancement etc… but ironically often not our values! No, they seek to impose their own values, ones of “dog eat dog” and inequality and “might makes right”, while reaping in the spoils of what our values enabled to happen such as our groundbreaking technologies, the strong rule of law, our better standards of living, our job opportunities, and yes, annoying to admit: our welfare handouts and resources! The splendor and opportunity, the “American Dream” is seen by some as something not to work for and earn, but to take by force! To reap the spoils without working to sow the seeds (such as democratic values and creating higher standards of living) themselves!

Yep, we are not safe unless we have a strong defense! Something to say to the have-nots “You can’t just come in and take what is ours and spit on our values in the process, you have to WORK to achieve what we have. You have to make your own country a better place, not take ours and what WE worked hard to earn!” A message must be sent that America will not tolerate others just coming in, whether illegally or militarily to invade and leech or destroy us! This is where our armed forces come in: to send just that message! A skilled formidable army with the latest in military technology deters weaker countries and would be attackers to think twice before messing with us 😉

Before you say we’re not being threatened, and not in some major war, just look at what has happened recently! Acts of terrorism, ISIS on the rise and threatening to invade us any way possible! The whole region of the Middle East despises the West and America and couldn’t care less about our welfare, though many Lefties go out of their way to take pity on them! Telling huh? That we’re the ones concerned about the less fortunate around the world, yet they can spit on us and our values the minute they step into this country and no one bats an eye! They can live off welfare, drain our schools, take our jobs, and bringing more 3rd world lifestyles of “dog eat dog” leading to more crime, treating women and children and anyone who is different from their group as badly as they may have been treated back home, demanding their own laws to live by etc… and we’re supposed to tolerate that in order to be a benevolent nation! By being eaten from the inside out so to speak, or that “Giving Tree” in the famous novel that gave its entire self away! Why do you think people could pull off 9/11? The Boston Marathon Bombing perpetrators were on welfare and were given free handouts! Just take a good look at Europe being invaded already by 3rd world migrants being all the above mentioned, plus even more acts of terrorism from groups like ISIS!

Don’t think for one moment we as a country can be complacent! Europe is just like us in many ways! Good economies, good standards of living, good values of democracy and equality as well. Their countries are our allies! But that didn’t stop them from being invaded. Women being raped, jobs being taken, crime up, people stabbed, shot and even run over in many cities across places like England, Belgium, Germany, France etc… It’s no longer truly safe to visit these beautiful countries anymore 😦 They can easily be us in a heartbeat if we do as they did and became complacent in their take over. Our military is on the front lines (literally) watching for and stopping threats!

And I almost forgot, it’s not just little 3rd world nations out for us! Powerful nations, such as Russia, north Korea, China even, are watching us very closely. We’re a “frenemy” at best, and a rival! They may not invade like WWIII, but we grow weak, and they will take advantage. They may not be out for us because they have not, rather they are not democratic, and view us as weak and they can push us and take what they wish from us if we let them! Corrupt dictators and regimes are like that for the most part… If we don’t show them they are meeting their match, that we are their equals, they will not respect us. Trump luckily, is making progress diplomatically rather than military because of this principle! Indeed, showing our strength will not automatically lead to wars, but can prevent them, letting diplomacy take the lead instead!

A show of strength in our military does not lead to an overbearing military state and martial law! No! In just the right amount, not too little, but not too much either, we can show the world we want peace and diplomacy, but will fight the fight if needed and have what we need to crush our enemies! Sadly, some people just understand brute force… Diplomacy doesn’t work and is construed as weak. Negotiation is also weakness and groveling to some. For those narrow minded people who cannot be reasoned with, we must sadly show force to stop force. Luckily, many nations will listen to diplomacy and negotiation as long as they know we are formidable and this is the best, most efficient way to deal with us. It’s when we weaken and feel like we’re too big to be touched, too safe, it couldn’t happen here, does disaster strike! It CAN and DOES happen here! Just look at 9/11!

Those who say our military is too strong, that we must scale back, disarm and live in a pacifist way are dangerously naive to how the world works! Do I want us to be war-mongering militants??? No! Certainly not! I’d choose every possible option for a peaceful outcome to solving disputes over war any day and use war only as the last resort! I’m NOT advocating for a trigger happy country where we push the nuclear button over trivial matters! I agree war is an ugly ugly thing and is a lose-lose for all sides’ people. However, as long as there are war-mongers, who hate us, and want what we have by force, we must be ready to defend ourselves! As we ought to defend our homes from a burglar in the night by any means necessary, why not our country, as is it not all our home collectively??? Empowering our military does just that: protecting our country from those who would take everything we have and hold dear!

My final message to everyone is, never take for granted how lucky we are, and that there are millions who want it and will take it if we don’t stop them! Thank, appreciate, and honor every soldier for their service in helping us stay American! Trump may make America great, but our military truly KEEPS America great 😉