Wednesdays with Wenzel: Don't let the non-compliance flame die

Keep it lit

This is a semi regular Wednesday column where we examine the work of the late, great Austrian School of Economics and Rothbardian influenced Robert Wenzel. The content for this column comes from his books, his daily market alerts, and the content of his websites, Economic Policy Journal and Target Liberty.

As the Samurai culture began to disappear from Japan in the late 1800’s, fewer and fewer people practiced traditional Japanese martial arts. Most forms of Samurai fighting involved combat tested skills, where opponents were armored and armed with weapons for close combat. Once peacetime and industrialization brought prosperity, the majority of people chose other pursuits.

It is said that Mitsuyo Maeda, aka Count (or Conde) Koma, feared for the loss of knowledge of Japanese martial arts, and this drove him to master jujitsu. Whether or not this is true or legend, Maeda did spread jujitsu around the world. By the time he met Gastao Gracie in Brazil, Maeda was already a legend on several continents with over a thousand bouts completed. The ensuing partnership led to the training of Carlos Gracie. Carlos, and his brother Helio, turned their modified Jiu Jitsu style (they focused more on the ground battle than Japanese jujitsu) into an army that eventually changed martial arts forever.

Practicing non-compliance against tyrants, especially the petty midget-Maos on the streets, is another combat style we must keep alive. Robert Wenzel understood this. He lived it.

Twelve Months Maskless

I don't know the exact number of days but it has been roughly 12-months since the first "wear a mask" order came down in San Francisco.

In all that time, I have not worn a mask on the streets of the foggy city…

It is time for a full recap, seeing as though the CDC has granted the sheep an exemption from wearing masks outside for "the vaccinated."

On my daily walk through downtown San Francisco, yesterday was the first day where I was not the only one on the street maskless. I would say that about 3% were maskless.

In other words, my open defiance has lost some of its hardcore revolutionary edge to it. I now look just like a compliant guy who has been vaccinated and is following the latest guidance from the sociopaths at the top of the CDC.

But what a 12-months it was. 

Robert was harassed a number of times over those 12 months, but that only served to sharpen his skills in non-compliance jiu jitsu.

But the most important part of the experience for me was learning how to deal with midget-Maos. When the next major crackdown comes, for whatever reason and however, I am going to have a bit more experience on how to deal with the serious Karens of the world who can't mind their own business. The modern-day secular Puritans. 

For most of them, you only need “white belt” skills.

If I simply stated to Asians or Hispanics of any age or sex that I had a medical condition, they backed off immediately.

But not everyone was so easily submitted.

The biggest problem I had was with white guys between roughly the ages of 25 to 35….

it was the damn social justice-trained white guys that were the big problem.

It was confrontations with these clowns that most often led to my taking things to more senior management.

The Importance of Resistance

Why is it so important to go against the rules when the government acts tyrannical? Because this wasn’t the first time and it won’t be the last. The fact that others comply is irrelevant. Someone must practice non-compliance and spread that practice to others, otherwise our society will be 100% compliant sheep ready to be rolled over ata any time.

The United States was once thought of as the country with rugged individuals.

You left such individuals alone and they left you alone. The country was filled with such men and women.

They appear to be mostly gone from America now.

Stunningly few think or act for themselves.

Governments in many parts of the land have ordered mask-wearing to "battle" a virus that is about as deadly to the average American under 80 as hay fever.

The mask-wearing order has resulted in near 100% compliance in such areas as California.

It is a sign of cowering submission to the state. With an added bonus of neighbors, and other busybodies, backing up the state orders with rants and rages for the few of us who do not wear masks.

We are the Resistance. There does not appear to be many of us but it is important that, when we can, we signal to the world our defiance of this tyranny. The ember for freedom must not be allowed to die out. Let the state rest uneasy knowing there are at least a few of us and that we will agitate and they don't know when that agitation could blow up into thousands, maybe more.

Given the level of oppression, it is obvious we can't go into full resistance mode everywhere we go but we should resist to the degree we can unless it gets us into serious trouble…

The resistance to masks is a dry run for us.

We are learning who reacts to us and how easy or difficult it is to get what we want.

The ember of freedom must not be allowed to die out.

What a powerful statement.

Robert was a source of support for me as I practiced non-compliance and continue to do so. I remember my “white belt” days in June/July 2020. I would be so nervous to go outside, to go grocery shopping or run an errand. I eventually started putting my mask in my pocket, to dare anyone to make me put it on. Then I started leaving it home altogether and, when challenged, making them give me one. This was as an opportunity to challenge further and further. Without the constant support from Robert, I’m not sure I could have developed these skills.

And these interactions taught me a lot. I’m back in Chicago for a visit today in the winter of 2021 and everywhere I go, nearly every single person is in a mask! It’s like blue cities are stuck in summer 2020 and can’t get out. Outside of the sadness I have for my fellow humans, trapped in fear, I can’t help but feel satisfied that I can go without a mask anywhere I want and not feel the slightest stress over it. Come at me, bro!

I know it’s discouraging that there are still so many that are trapped in their Covid panic, but thanks to people like Robert Wenzel, the ember of freedom has not yet died out. We’re still out there doing what we can.

Hang in there, fellow freedom lovers. I’m happy that we can hold our heads high as 2021 comes to a close.

Happy New Year!