When something goes wrong on a building site, we usually say it was done by 'a bunch of cowboys'. However, I can't see any aspect of society that hasn't been touched by the effect of a Hollywood cowboy film. Almost everyone I speak to remembers Clint Eastwood's line "Do you feel lucky?" or John Wayne's "A man's got to do what a man's got to do” and Shane's forlorn farewell was so heart-breaking to witness I balled my eyes out.
These memorable images of brave men riding off out into the sunset, never knowing if they would return back to the home fires, inspire some kind of strength with their true grit, honest family loyalty and the will to do the right thing. As kids, we've played the games and, Clint and Co. have often inspired us to want to be one. But how many of us have actually done it? Of course, we may have booked a holiday on a ranch and had the experience of a lifetime, but for it to become a real way of life? Not many are that hardy anymore. Nope. Much of the Western world has been enticed by this marketing mayhem that encourages us to think, if we buy this stuff or that bling our lives will be all the better for it.
But is life better for it? How long does the novelty actually last? Soon after we have acquired what we have been 'dying' to have, it gets shoved in the bottom of the bag, dumped in a drawer or sold on a eBay and is soon forgotten when we see another shiny new toy we simply must have. This cycle of wanting things, getting things and trying to satisfy the hunger soon becomes a bit of a let-down. Most of us seem to have gotten everything we ever wanted (and more), but still something is missing. We begin to ask "Why are we here?", "What is life all about?", or "Where is the meaning of it all?" The Bundy Ranchers fight seems, in some way, to have answered some of those questions.
The past few years has seen the freedom we once enjoyed become a distant memory. Our hearts admit it, even if our minds don't. Somehow, somewhere along the way, society got broke. A quick scan of an average newspaper and we come across a story where children have become feral and feared within a failing educational system, politicians openly steal from a population that has entrusted them with the power to serve them, legal representatives seem more interested in winning their fees than arguing for justice, high profile celebrities hurt children and the vulnerable and, then there's the older generation who are beaten and bullied in places where they should feel safe - particularly in light of the debt society owes them. In addition to this, people (organisations aside) trusted with our monetary system are found stealing from our very accounts the money we've spent all our long hours toiling for ... The list goes on and on, far too long for me to state here. And people wonder why they feel apathetic.
Those who slumber in the comfort of their living rooms (me included) watching a heroic John Wayne or Clint Eastwood save the day on the telly, have for a long time felt something strangle our hearts, wishing that our own lives could mean something. And, just occasionally, we get to wondering at who's door should we lay the blame? The politicians? The media? The conglomerate corporations? Our own?
After watching Cliven Bundy speak to the media (I'm still perplexed by the mainstream media's inability to latch onto this history-in-the-making story - it should be front page news, surely?), I can't forget one quote that wraps my mind like a lasso: "They [the police] should be [like] boy scouts ... should be helpin' ald ladies cross the street, not throwin' 'em in the dirt!" And I get to wondering, why are the police like they are today? Where is the British Bobby we used to invite in for a cup o' tea, or the NY City Cop who helps the blind man cross the road? Do they still exist?
The Bundy family plight may have made all us 'couchies' finally muster enough strength to prize ourselves from our chairs and stare out of the window and wander or perhaps even go as far as to venture to the doorstep, to let the breeze brush our bangs.
Yeap sirree! Instead of the make-believe cowboys, the likes of Brad Pitt or Matt Damon portray before they saunter off to their plush RVs full of bling to prepare for the next scene, there are real cowboys outside scratching a living in the dust and dirt. Those good old fashion family values still do exist! The likes of the Bundy family and followers may have given us all the incentive to witness that the Wild West is still there, kicking the dust up during a day's work and, yes, even stomping to country songs with the odd 'YeeHaaaa!' thrown in for good measure. But equally, willing to step up to the mark when the duty is called for.
Folks, it's not a fantasy. There are men of honour still breathing today.
Like the Bundy Ranchers if, when we find ourselves facing those who simply want to make a fast buck to buy their own bunch of shiny bling that means not a thing, we'll have to stop for a moment and wonder, where our own morals have disappeared to. Where has our will to do the right thing, gone? Have we really allowed time and big industry to hypnotise us so much?
Some people say, it has to get real bad before we realise big change is needed. The stories tossed around about the Bundy Ranch and the debt they seemingly owe to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), reminds me somewhat of the story of the Pied Piper. He led his arrogant debtors who wouldn't pay their dues to him, over the cliff. We can all be led over the cliff like that if we don't understand the whole story. And therein, is a way out of any scenario we are faced with: to know and to understand the truth. My own grandmother said "the truth can be painful", also, the spiritual academic, David R. Hawkins, writes "the truth is the truth, and if you don't like it, you need to find out what your attachment [to the lie] is". Instead of being led over the cliff, the Bundy's had to stare down the barrel of several guns, but while doing so, their bravery has alerted the whole world to what truths we are being fed.
To me, the truth about the Bundy Ranch doesn't seem to be about a criminal who hasn't paid his bills. That story doesn't add up. Besides, Mr Bundy's videos on YouTube constantly call everyone to act within the law and continually quote the Constitution for the people and by the people. So, for those who think this man is a 'tax evader', this story needs your big spade and a little effort to scratch the surface. When I watch the man, he doesn't seem to strike me as a tale-teller or a man on the make. I see a man who is not about marketing or spinning a yarn to get us to buy what bling he has for us to spend our money on. Of course, he has to send his cattle off to slaughter, we cannot deny that that has to be done in his job, but he's not a man to stick his cattle in a factory farm and his whole family obviously cares for the animals that provide them with a living wage. He appears to be a man of his word and a man with strong family values. A man who works hard for a living (being a cowboy isn't an easy lifestyle!) and that living is the good ol' American way of life - in the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh, and while using that little phrase (brave), let me indulge myself a bit here. A strapline was inherited on a Coat of Arms that came along with my family name: "Glory is the Reward of Valour". The name stretches right back to the days when Gilbert de Beaulieu escorted the young prince Edward (soon to be crowned Edward III) from France to England in the year 1327 - 687 years ago. At that time, France and England were hostile countries to ride through, so those men took up their lances and shields and mounted their steeds, fully understanding the risk of losing their lives in some agonisingly painful way. To cut a very long story short, the future king was delivered safely and he subsequently knighted the men for the honourable task they undertook.
The Bundy Ranch story that has been unfolding before my (admittedly, tear-filled) eyes has showed me another bunch of brave men who prevailed against overriding odds. They demonstrated sheer will and determination to not only survive but to protect the freedoms that subsequent generations of their own family had undertook from that fateful date 239 years ago. So, when I think back upon those questions, "Why are we here?", "What is life all about?", or "Where is the meaning of it all?" the memorable image of the Bundy cowboys (I've inserted above) seems to answer them all in one fell swoop.
Those men lined their horses in formation, took their hats off in respect of their National Anthem, then moved bravely and skilfully forward, understanding full well what the consequences could have been. That act, right there and then, was honour. In my mind, that is what life is all about. Knowing and doing the right thing, regardless of the consequences. That's what gives the warm-blooded human heart meaning. If only for this simple act of bravery, the 'powers that be' should be knighting these men for their deeds in the face of such odds stacked against them, instead of vilifying and harassing them.
We all have pride in our hearts and are capable of great deeds, but it seems to have taken the Bundy's firm stance to bring an upsurge of emotion, because their intent for their family values and their hard-won heritage, appears to be a true one. We all have a mutual respect for honour and valour, but it seems to have taken the Bundy's bravery to reveal to us the erosion of freedoms we so dearly cherish. We all have something in our hearts telling us something is not quite right with the way of the world, but it seems to have taken the Bundy's fight to bring us all to the light. And while we should never forget all the brave men that, over the years, have lost their lives to protect the freedoms that seem to be slowly eroding, we should take a moment to look out the window to recognise the heroes we have right on our doorstep.
Even though my dream is for some of those Hollywood actors to turn up at the Bundy Ranch Patriot Party tomorrow, to offer their support, I hope John Wayne's words take up residence in your heart:
“Courage is being scared to death, and saddling up anyway”
People know they have slumbered far too long ... and it seems to have taken a 'bunch of cowboys' to wake 'em up.
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Many people the world over have donated much of themselves to help these people in their cause. The Bundy Ranch has received Oranges originating in California as well as Pizzas from Finland ... You, too, could help their cause by visiting the BlogSpot, doing your own research to find out the truth, and donating whatever you are able to help feed the people who are giving up their time to guard and look after his cattle: http://www.bundyranch.blogspot.de/
For updates about their story, visit their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/jaredwalther56/videos
Kaye Bewley
www.BewleyTherapy.com
