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John Birch Society is Cowardly and Un-American

Opposition to the Convention of States – Action (to impose federal term limits, spending
controls, and limiting government overreach) has usually taken the form of the ‘Runaway
Convention’ argument. This argument is predicated on the false belief that the convention
forum is open for any topic to be discussed. According to the opposition, the result of this
would be that motions at the convention could be introduced that threaten our
constitutional rights. The Convention of States – Action has successfully debunked this
open forum fallacy in a dozen different ways. But despite that the opposition just repeats
their lies over and over again believing that if they are repeated enough times they
become the truth. That puts the Convention of States – Action on the defensive; always
being forced into making counterarguments to the opposition.

It’s time to go on the
offensive and hold the opposition accountable for who they are and what they represent.
Even at the risk of appearing offensive.

It is a well-known fact that you cannot prove a negative. So even though COS volunteers
such as yourself can present multiple reasons why motions could not be introduced at a
convention that threatens our constitutional rights it still does not prove it. For instance, think of your response if someone accused you of being a criminal. You could probably
explain all of your virtues and accomplishments, or good deeds and good intentions but
in the end that is not proof. This is the reason why our system of jurisprudence demands
that the accuser has the burden of proof. To base an argument on the word “could” is un-American. Our system of jurisprudence is uniquely American by requiring the accuser to bear the burden of proof. The opposition’s accusation that a convention of the states could lead to a runaway convention is un-American. It is absent of any proof; absent of any evidence; a speculative accusation at best. However, it has been effective in putting COS supporters in the unduly position of having to prove a negative; which cannot be done.

Our founding fathers pledged their Lives, their Fortunes, and their sacred Honor to each
other when they signed the Declaration of the United States. They didn’t know they were
going to win a war against the strongest military on earth. They could have lost the
Revolutionary War. But still, they went forward with the courage to do what they believed was
right. Not just for themselves but for their country, for freedom of man, and liberty. They
maintained steadfast by their brave courage to face down any thoughts of what could
happen to them.

The expansion Westward by the pioneers and settlers was one of the reasons that made
this nation great. It expanded commerce and available resources. But it occurred at great
risk for those who migrated seeking a better life. On their journey Westward, the pioneers
and settlers could have died of starvation as many had already. They could have died
of disease or attacks by the Native American Indians. But still, they dared to persevere despite these possibilities because they believed in the greater good, the greater cause for them and their families. These are concepts that the John Birch Society has no understanding of. They don’t recognize the threats of tyranny today that are evolving.

Above all else, the John Birch Society is NOT true to its stated convictions.
Despite their objections and rhetoric toward the Convention of States Action, they have
made NO efforts to repeal the very clause in Article V of the Constitution that allows a
‘convention of the states’ to make “proposals” for a constitutional amendment. The very
clause that they feel is a threat. This alone leads one to believe that they are only
seeking attention for themselves. They are using their opposing position to bring about
some relevance to themselves without actually addressing the real issue – the
Constitution. The John Birch Society is like a leach; a parasite using the Convention of
States - Action to project their self-importance. Without the Convention of States -
Action the John Birch Society has no relevance in today’s world. They want to present
themselves as the protector of the realm rather than doing the heavy lifting of their
convictions, be they right or wrong, which is to repeal the Article V clause that allows a
‘convention of the states’ to begin with. Isn’t that convenient?

If the John Birch Society and other conservative opposition organizations want some
semblance of creditability, they need to direct their efforts to the content of Article V of
the Constitution. The Convention of States - Action is only a recent activity. There will
be other campaigns for a ‘convention of the states’ from others in the future just as there
has been in the past. If a ‘convention of the states’ is such a dangerous concept, that
by the way our founding fathers agreed to it unanimously, then these rogue conservative
organizations need to be true to their convictions and do something about it rather than
attacking the Convention of States - Action. They need to focus their attention on
repealing the Article V clause for a ‘convention of the states’. They need to explain why
they disparage this clause in Article V of our beloved Constitution and seek to
undermine the ONLY check that the States have over the Federal Government. This
very clause that was inserted into the Constitution by our founding fathers was to prevent tyranny and maintain the sovereignty of the states. The John Birch Society is
afraid to do that and is only satisfied to stand on the sidelines and criticize. They don’t
want to appear liberal and argue against the substance of the Convention of States -
Action – term limits, spending controls, and limited power. And they don’t want to
appear crazy and speak out against the Constitution. Theirs is the cowardly safe game
of sideline criticism; throwing darts and arrows at the hard work of the Convention of
States Action that will safeguard our rights now and into the future. It’s time for the John
Birch Society to “put-up or shut-up”.

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Created:	2024-01-14 15:05 GMT
Updated:	2024-12-31 08:00 GMT
Published:	2024-01-14 05:00 GMT
Converted:	2025-11-11 12:02 GMT
Change Author:	Irv Karwick
Credit Author:	John Polestra