Recently, I purchased William Bausch’s “A World of Stories.” Among the many good stories, some fictional, some historical, one struck me as particularly pertinent to this crucial hour in our country’s history.

This story centers on King Christian X of Denmark, famed for his personal resistance to the Nazis who had conquered and occupied his tiny country. The heart of the story follows:

One day he observed a Nazi flag flying above one of his public buildings. He reminded the German commander that this was contrary to the treaty between the two nations and said, ‘The flag must be removed before twelve o’clock. Otherwise, I shall send a soldier to remove it.’ At five minutes before noon, the flag was still flying, and the king announced that he was sending a soldier to take it down. ‘The soldier will be shot,’ the Nazi officer said. Then King Christian calmly announced, ‘I think I should tell you that I will be that soldier.’

The Swastika came down.

On Dec. 1, 1940, Time Magazine reported this story. Perhaps it happened, perhaps it’s apocryphal, yet this stout-hearted monarch, who daily rode his horse unguarded through the streets of Copenhagen to inspire his people and signal his defiance, might easily have performed such an act of courage and resistance.

For the past decade, the political and cultural differences dividing Americans have reached an acute stage. We’ve endured the riots and chaos following George Floyd’s death, the Covid pandemic, the DEI policies that infused and fractured institutions from corporations to Hollywood studios, assassinations, and ongoing attacks on faith and the traditional family.

Now threats abound that around the midterms the left intends, for reasons that remain undefined, to renew their attacks on a legally elected president and his supporters through continuing lawfare, more impeachment attempts, and even widespread protests and riots in hopes of crashing the government altogether.

What will play out in the next few months remains to be seen. But those of us who support liberty, virtue, and real justice must not only stand against these aggressors, as did King Christian, but also launch an offensive of our own against these assaults on country and culture.

Check and Double-check the News 

Sadly, few in the media, whether corporate newscasters or online political podcasters, aim for objectivity in reporting. From the right and the left come all manner of rumors, half-truths, and outright lies. Before jumping to conclusions, check two or three other sources, and the original source, if available. Take the news, especially statistics, with a grain of salt. You’ll find that some “nationwide trend” doesn’t match the people you know.

Condemn Violence and Illegality

Watch for concocted events, false tinderboxes used to cause explosions. If you live in a city where protests occur, such as those wracking Europe, point out to anyone who will listen that the government’s first function is to protect its citizens and their property. If government fails to do so, then assume you are on your own and turn to family members, friends, and neighbors for assistance and protection.

Personalize the ‘Broken Glass Theory’

Over 50 years ago, sociologists James Wilson and George Kelling devised the theory that a broken window is a sign of deterioration and lack of care that can give rise to lawlessness. Mayor Rudy Giuliani famously applied this theory to the streets of New York City, having the police enforce minor laws, even loitering, that signaled a change in law enforcement and drastically reduced crime.

We can apply this on a personal level by upping our standards of appearance and dress, cutting obscene language, attacking policies rather than people, and treating ideological opponents with respect until, by their words and deeds, they forfeit that right. Civility won’t come from the government or even from much of our current culture. It only comes from us.

Hope for the Best, Prepare for the Worst

These old words of wisdom remain as true as ever. All too often, however, “prepare for the worst” becomes “expect the worst.” Too many conservatives, including some commentators and even some of my good friends, have decided that America and Western civilization are going down the tubes.

That pessimism leads only to defeat. Prepare for hard times, but always, always remember your heritage and do your best in whatever way you can to preserve, protect, and promote it.

Be of Good Cheer

Want to drive the left and the doomsayers crazy? Be happy. Exude cheerfulness. Display a cautious optimism with a smile on your face. Find humor in the many stupidities that pass for wisdom these days. Mockery may be necessary at times, but best of all is pure laughter.

Want to see this idea in action? Watch some of the shorts of Arynne Wexler, like this one on “positive racism.” In her comedy, Wexler sharply criticizes those she disagrees with – in this case, poking fun at our obsession with race – but relieves the sting with her constant smiles. In some of these clips, even some of her targets laugh along with her.

Recently, we once again saw a spate of “No Kings” rallies. Actually, we should all declare ourselves kings, governors of ourselves, our character, and our actions. That’s the American way. What we really need these days are “No Tyrants” rallies, all delivered with good cheer.

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This article was made possible by The Fred & Rheta Skelton Center for Cultural Renewal, a project of 1819 News. ‘

Image credit: Picryl