Are you willing to give your life fighting for American Democracy?

[milestogo]

I think things are going to take a violent turn very soon. It will depend on the population to fight back. I guess its the same question every soldier faces when going into combat, but most of us have never been there.

I think we have to be ready to do whatever we are able to do.

[Kid Berwyn]

1. Of course. Freedom isn't free.

Since 1776.

[marble falls]

2. Taken the risk before, I'll take it again. Being old, I have less to risk.

[Solly Mack]

3. The bigger question is are you willing to take a life in defense of freedom.

 

[Stuckinthebush]

6. Bingo

That's the rub.

[marble falls]

19. No rub, it's the terms and conditions.

[Solly Mack]

36. For a lot of people, yes.

[marble falls]

18. If they come for us, they better come strapped.

[Wifes husband]

31. Agree

[Solly Mack]

38. They would. In such an event.

Expect the best, prepare for the worst is not without its merits.

[marble falls]

39. Prepare for the worst, plan for the best.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

44. Absolutely I would,

I certainly don't want to, but if push comes to shove, I flat guarantee that I'll take as many with me as I can.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Courts and Congress are irrelevant now.

Expect SOTU to be raucous. Would Trump arrest protestors? All those who don't applaud his best lines?

[Efilroft Sul]

5. I'd rather make some son of a bitch die for his fascism.

[C_U_L8R]

7. Exactly.

[MiHale]

8. Thought about it quite a bit lately... yes

I took the oath long ago…but would again…being older have less worries about dying.

[Wifes husband]

34. I took the oath too

I will honor it

[aeromanKC]

9. No. (A million times NO)

Been there done that as a Veteran. But America has left me. Fuck Trump's America!! I want nothing of it and will not consider myself an American for the few years I have left. (I'm going to be dead before the stink of Trump goes away). To me America is nothing more than a fucked up corrupt foreign country.

Go Canada in the Olympics!! (I can root for the Canucks!!

[StarryNite]

74. America hasn't left you. It's being taken away from us.

We are the Americans. They are the nazis.

[jmbar2]

10. i don't have any war skills

But could contemplate ways to sacrifice my old self if it would help.

[Hotler]

13. Could learn tactical combat casualty care and wound treatment. We're going to need medics. nt

[milestogo]

20. I have a medical background and I would be happy to help with that.

[yellow dahlia]

41. I fall into the same category as you.

I'm willing to take risks - totally scared of ending in the Gulag...but...f I can save this Democracy for my nephews and nieces and their munchkins...

And then maybe they can make it an even better Democracy.

[Ping Tung]

11. "Patriots always talk of dying for their country but never of killing for their country." Bertrand Russell

"It doesn't make a damned bit of difference who wins if you're dead."

Yossarian from Catch-22

[stillcool]

12. I want to be a tool for good

whatever that means.

[Raftergirl]

14. No, I'm 68 and H is 67. We won't be taking up arms.

More likely we will move out of the country. We can afford to go anywhere. I don’t care if I still have US citizenship, just would choose to live elsewhere, except Israel, even though I have right of return. They are as bad as we are now.

Frankly, I don’t think the US is at great as people think it is. Never have. Certainly not great enough to fight for. We are very backward in so many areas. I am not what anyone would describe as a Patriot. I don’t have undying love for the US. We are a pretty meh country, even before HWSRN took over.

[PJMcK]

77. I agree with everything you wrote

We’re buying a place in Central America. Enough of this nonsense.

[lindalou65]

86. We don't have guns in our house

and both my husband and I don't want to have guns. We will likely stay and fight in whatever way we can unless we can figure out a way to leave if things really get out of hand. I do love my country and all my family is here so those are the reasons I don't want to leave.

I do understand your position and if you are able to leave, you should. During WW2, many people had to flee Germany for various valid reasons. My husband is a PhD geochemist and he expects with science being devalued, leaving is likely our best option. Sadly, I think the USA will see a 'brain drain'.

[Tickle]

16. The last step of a revolution

is violence. I think it's coming

[bluestarone]

17. I'll kick this because,

People better be ready. We probably are not that far from this very thing. It's your country and it's for yours and everybody else's kids and grandkids. Plus it would be a real shame that our fathers and grand fathers gave their lives for the Democracy we have today, and we just allow these NAZI'S to steal it from us.

[milestogo]

21. Exactly.

We can't just sit back and hope it goes away.

[Runningdawg]

22. I was born and raised in an evangelical cult. I was trained for the coming fight.

I've switched sides, but still believe the coming fight is my destiny.

[bif]

23. Nope. Moving to Canada if it goes full blown Fourth Reich around here.

I consider myself a citizen of Planet Earth. Not the U.S.

[bluestarone]

24. Wherte the hell would you be IF

Our forefathers thought like you do?

[bif]

32. I really don't give a shit about our forefathers.

And I'm not getting into an argument about this.

[J-9]

56. Our slave owning forefathers?

As a black woman, I know how they thought and I wasn't part of their thought process.

Apparently, in 2025, still not.

[marble falls]

40. Will the 51st state be safe?

[LoveSucky]

25. Too fat and lazy for any of that

Just strap a bomb on me and I'll get a few of the bastards.

[no_hypocrisy]

26. I'm ready

[elocs]

27. It's too bad that more Democrats weren't willing to get their asses out and vote for the nominee of their party

in both '16 and '24. Would that have been harder than giving your life fighting for American democracy? Obviously not. And if they had been willing to just get out and vote we wouldn't be where we're at now.
I get the answer you're fishing for, but will people who can't be depended upon to vote suddenly morph into brave freedom fighters. No.

[alarimer]

28. I'd prefer it be split up along political lines

Failing that, I'm going to just hunker down if violence starts. No one wants me in a fight. They'd just kill me. So fucking pointless.

[Snark Twain]

29. There are conditions

I would but there has to be a clear strategy with clear goals. We all have only 1 life to give and is it better given or is it better utilized to keep the fight going in other ways.

In the short term the question that we should turn around and ask MAGA

[AntiFascist]

30. That is the point where Trump will turn the military against the citizens of the US...

and then, the Second Amendment should definitely kick in. The founding purpose of the Second Amendment being to defend the citizens against a tyrannical president who has control of a standing military.

[marble falls]

46. The 2nd Amendment was allow all citizens be permitted carry arms the military, plus ...

... to be armed in a well regulated militia in these three circumstances - 1. when the state can't protect us from criminal brigands; 2. when the state can't protect us from foreign invasion; 3. when the state no longer responds to we the people, we the people get to protect the nation.

[AntiFascist]

63. I'm sure the Far Right has their own ideas about prioritizing self-defense, however....

In the 1830's, Madison wrote: "A Government resting on a
minority, is an aristocracy not a Republic, and could not be safe with a
numerical (and) physical force against it, without a standing Army, and
enslaved press, and a DISARMED populace." 37
...
Webster was certainly in a position to know what the second amendment
phrase "bear arms" meant. A prominent federalist, he wrote the first major
pamphlet in support of the Constitution when it was proposed in 1787, in
which he stated: "Before a standing army can rule, the people must be
disarmed; as they are in almost every Kingdom in Europe. The supreme
power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole
body of the people are armed ..... 50

https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3830&context=lcp#:~:text=That%20to%20%22bear%22%20arms%20means,amendment%2C%20in%20the%20Virginia%20legislature.

[marble falls]

70. And they've seriously armed themselves and been making death threats at us. From Mango Jebus down.

[Funtatlaguy]

33. If it's brother against brother...

Count me in.
Never liked mine anyway.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

35. I defended my country for 35 years,

I can do it again if it comes down to that.
The MAGAt's underestimate us, they think we're a bunch of pansies who won't pick up a weapon and defend ourselves or our country, they think they can just roll right over us, I've got some bad news for them, there are plenty of us Democrats that have actual combat experience, unlike most of the MAGAt's.

To answer your question, YES, I am willing to defend and die to protect our democracy and I dare any fucking R or MAGAt to think that we won't.

MGySgt Dware (Ret.)
United States Marine Corps
1964-1999
Semper Fi.
Ooh Rah.

[milestogo]

37. Thank you.

[OldBaldy1701E]

55. Same.

I took an oath. I did not foreswear it and neither did Uncle Sam (to my knowledge).

I will answer the call, even as I am a broken shell of the kid who sat in that radio room coordinating com traffic for rescue operations. I will still try. For America. For Freedom.

[Beringia]

42. I cannot envision how it would go down or what strategies we would have

so how can I say I will give my life. Plus my family sure as heck won't want to bail my ass out a 2nd time

[yellow dahlia]

43. And here is where we are - where you feel prompted to ask the question.

Obviously others have been asking it of themselves.

Some of us thought we would never have to muse on these questions.

The surreal is becoming the real.

[mwmisses4289]

45. If all are willing to die for democracy,

who will be left alive to fight for democracy?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

47. Just because we're willing to die to protect our democracy

doesn't mean we will die.

[DSandra]

48. Millions of Americans will have to be willing to die in order to successfully fight fascists again

Remember, 10 million Americans put their lives on the line to fight fascism the last time.

[William769]

51. 16 million Americans were in service during WWII

approximately 405,399 Americans died during World War II.

[DSandra]

53. I didn't want it to come to this but Musk likely stole the election

Musk wants to be Emperor of the World. A goddamn supervillain. And Trump is the most masterful liar in American history.

[William769]

59. They are evil people, but I'm not giving up on America just yet.

[William769]

49. "A hero would die for his country, but he'd much rather live for it."

[MarineCombatEngineer]

50. Another good quote"

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.

George S. Patton

[William769]

58. I never served because I wasn't allowed to (being Gay).

But my career was with the State of Florida Department of Corrections.

I would have served if I could have but I did the next best thing with my career.

Even though with all the crap I had to deal with as a Gay man, I never once stop being proud to be an American or supporting our troops.

We have our trials & tribulations here but we always seem to get the ship on course without sinking it.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

52. Know what you call a million MAGAt's at the bottom of the ocean?

A damn good start.

[edhopper]

54. No

if it comes to that, I leave the country.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

57. "No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country."

[aurora the great]

60. That's an affirmative, Sir!

I have been pondering this question a lot lately. Perhaps more than I should. But I see the signs and feel a stiff wind at my back and I say Yes. I am not sure what this 65 year old woman has to offer, bu,t if it's my blood, sweat and tears, if its my life then Yes I am ready. Its not where I hope this all ends but as the days go by I am not quite sure who or what else will stop the fall of this Democracy. I was born in the end of the and the women before me faced prison and force feeding and rancor to give me this precious right to vote. and continued the struggle to insure my reproductive freedoms.The freedoms I have enjoyed most of my adult life was due to their willingness to risk there own. Now I look at my child, my cousins and nieces and nephews and I say who am I not to rise to the occasion. I can do no less for them than what was done for me. It's either this or leave the country with Portuguese citizenship (okay I admit a have moments where I waiver.) But the answer is the same Yes. I will stand and fight and risk my life for those who came before me and those who are yet to come. America the land of the free and the home of the brave. To my last breath.

[mucholderthandirt]

61. I was never relieved of my oath taken when I joined the USAF. No military member is.

Despite how short or long our time of service was, the oath was taken with the knowledge that it was a continuing thing, we were never given a counter oath. Our loyalty is to the Constitution, and not to any person.

“I, ____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

Note that part in bold? It means pretty much nothing Trump says must be followed by any member of the military, as he violates the code with every word out of his nasty mouth.

So, count me in.

[pnwest]

62. I've been giving this very question a lot of thought

…as of late. And I think I am willing. I never had children, my parents have both passed, I’m divorced, and I’m easily replaced at my job. I have one sister, but she lives at the other end of the country, and she does have kids and grandkids. She’ll miss me, but won’t be left alone in this world if I die.

I am heartbroken over the loss of the dream of America, the acceptance and inclusion, the opportunity and hope. My own parents were green card holders, coming here for this very reason. I’m glad they’re not here to see what a giant fkn mistake they made.

I am highly motivated to join a violent revolution, and no one will be negatively affected by my death. I’m set to retire soon, but with Muskrat on the rampage Social Security is looking more shaky by the day - so I might end up homeless and hungry anyway.

As a decrepit 60 year old woman, I’m sure I’ll go out pretty early in the game, but if I can take two motherfuckers down with me, I will have successfully skewed the numbers in our favor.

That’s the one hand. The other is me acknowledging it’s a great revenge fantasy, and wondering if I’m brave enough to go through with it.

[LeftInTX]

64. I don't know how to fire a gun, I'm old and I'm not even five feet tall.

[milestogo]

65. I'm old and have never touched a gun.

I would be useless in combat. But there will be other roles.

[Kaleva]

68. I've fired everything from BB guns to missiles

But I have no desire to kill. Even in a case of self defense, the use of deadly force would be the absolute last option.

[Kaleva]

66. Why isn't anyone fighting and dieing for democracy now?

What is the line in the sand that has to be crossed before people take up arms?

[Bonx]

67. I make it a point not to pledge my life on internet forums.

[Kaleva]

69. For those who intend to fight,you should already be picking out your targets

Proper preparation and intense training is the key to success. Without either, failure is the most likely result.

And plans will very likely change as conditions change so one must be flexible.

Study the tactics and organization of the French Resistance, the VC, the IRA, FARC and other insurgent groups.

However, that being said, I strongly recommend that people refrain from violence and instead use peaceful means as exemplified by MLK, Gandhi, Malcom X, Nelson Mandela and many others

[DiverDave]

71. When i swore the oath

It didn't come with an expiration date.

[Skittles]

72. I will never abandon my country to fascism

I will stay and fight.

And yes, I did serve.

[RussBLib]

73. Yes

I am old and have lived a good life. I don't have that many years left and so I think I could give up my life to fuck up Trump. If you had asked me this back in 2002 under Shrubya I would have said "No." Was still vigorous and healthy back then.

I have my weapons at the ready if MAGAts come looking for me.

[Kaleva]

83. They probably just take you out by sniper

Like Ruby Ridge.

They are not going to text you ahead of time.

[HAB911]

75. Yes, but I was much more willing 50 years ago

but I'll do my best

[atreides1]

76. Yes

I swore an oath, 5 times...when I enlisted in the Oregon National Guard, when I enlisted for Active duty, and three times when I
re-enlisted in the US Army.

No one has ever relieved me of that oath, I swore my allegiance to the US Constitution and that I would defend and support it against all enemies.

Better to die on your feet than to live on your knees...

[AnnaLee]

78. Yes, but at my age it wouldn't be much of a loss

If it came down to a battle, people like me do not have the physical weapons (e.g. assalt rifles) to match MAGA firepower. We only have our energy and mouths. So far, it doesn't seem to be enough. What are we going to do? Storm the WH, Senate and House chambers, the DOD, and the Courts? If he can illegally order the armed forces to point their weapons at US citizens, nothing I do can possibly be more than a well-meant gester.

[Emile]

79. President Bone Spurs first.

[róisín_dubh]

80. Sorry, but no.

My expertise is in Latin America.
We supported a government that ethnically cleansed its people (or tried to anyway): Guatemala, 1954-1996.
We supported, nay, fomented, a horrific military coup in Chile in 1973.
We supported military dictatorships in Argentina and Brazil in the 1970s and 1980s.
We supported violent counter-revolutions in El Salvador and Nicaragua.
We did most of this under the guise of stopping Communism. It was also almost always done with plausible deniability.
I know what the US government is capable of and I have no interest in experiencing it first hand.

I've never been particularly patriotic. My parents wouldn't let me study abroad in college because they were afraid I'd stay in Europe. So I waited until I was in my 40s to move and I have no real urge to come back. I miss my family and I'd help them escape if I could, but I have very little money or space.

I vote and donate. I assist immigration lawyers with my expertise on a freelance, pro bono basis. But I do my "good trouble" from abroad.

[GreenWave]

81. I will use Musk as my human shield.

[Kaleva]

82. No

I'm not inclined to be spending a great deal of time now developing a strategy, picking out local targets (human and/or infrastructure), very discreetly sounding out others who may be of like mind to form a group (lone wolf's don't last long), learning how to make IEDs and booby traps, acquiring an arsenal, and training. I'd also have to go dark on the internet, especially concerning current events and politics, in case magahats are watching DU in an effort to identify those here who may pose a threat to their regime and put them on a list for elimination. I'd also have to reactivate my alias to try and cover my tracks. I made one up for fun but it didn't take me long to decide it's a pain in the ass to use on a regular basis.

[The Third Doctor]

84. No. Im willing to fight in other ways but that.

Why? This society takes our rights and freedoms for granted. People have fought and died already for this country, during the Civil rights movement and the labor movement. Just to have these rights slip away due to apathy and ignorance. Where are the huge and violent protests,? Nope not going there.

[hamsterjill]

85. Old and feeble...but

If it comes to this, I am taking as many of the assholes with me as possible.

Damn straight I’ll fight for my way of life and the freedoms that I believe should pass to future generations.

[PlanetBev]

87. I'm 74

I spent my youth marching in the streets and warning people what was coming our way. Not willing to turn over what few years I have left.