I don't know if any of you are familiar with it, but its about a man's survival, and the stories of others who sent him their stories, those made it through the Bolshevik's slaughter alive. It's been slow going, as I have kids and a husband, and a small homestead/farm. But, I wanted to share this early tidbit that really struck a cord with me right off the bat. Solzhenitsyn spends many, many pages reiterating how they were "taken." I think his shock over the fact that such an event happened in a world he thought he knew well shows very well with how much he harps on this. They were taken at work, at home in the middle of the night, whilst in the middle of a shopping trip. They were taken after much stress and worrying about being next, only to be visited by someone saying they had won a trip. With much relief to escape, packing quickly and going to the train station, a person they didn't know who acted as if they knew them would say, pardon me Mrs while I chat with your husband for a moment... then never to return. They had one who was taken in the middle of a surgery, blood and all. Sometimes those who were targeted would escape, and those arresting would only feel the need to fulfill their quota so they would take the next person they encountered to make "the numbers." Those who escaped were never sought after even though they hadn't bothered to change their identity in another country. ... And taken by whom? By the every day person. Sometimes a known friendly face, other times (as mentioned before) someone who acts as if you should know them and chats you up while a car pulls up and you're absconded. Sometimes local business owners, the bakery owner, the post master. It's done quietly, so that only immediate neighbors notice you're missing, people a few blocks over have no idea. So it is very well into the arrest phase before many people share knowing looks. He says that the immediate emotional response is shock, "I'm arrested? For what?" To which there is no response. Then the mind goes through acrobatics to think, "this is a mix up, they'll figure it out and I'll be set free." So everyone who was arrested cooperates, because they're *sure its a mistake*. Only, once you're arrested, no one is ever let go. Says you're so confused the first few days that you can't help but have the mistaken arrest idea play over and over through your head, so that you never cry out. Says that there were plenty times that they could've shouted, "Help! They're arresting me and I'm innocent!" And it would've at least let those around them know what was happening. Let the ire of the public raise. There was one woman who clung to a light post in the middle of the city when they came for her, shouting in protest. It raised so much attention that those who were "arresting" panicked and left without her. Unfortunately, she was foolish enough to go home to rest the night before leaving, and they got her in the night. He says he and others spent much time in sheer wonder at the fact that *no one ever resisted arrest.* They held such a strong belief in the system, that they had done no wrong therefore they wouldn't be held. If those arresting had but once been met with armed resistance, many would've defected and refused to arrest people because they would've feared not coming home. But nary a dissent was raised. I say all of this because I can actually see this happening today. Look at the high and mighty attitude the left carries. They honestly believe they're saving the world if they rid it of the right and center. The postal worker and banker very well may be a leftist, a friendly face that you know. They catch word that you're a Trump/ Nazi supporter, well they will "do their duty" and arrest you for "the greater good!" And how many on the right who aren't purveyors of subjects like those discussed here, Voat, Phuks, etc would think exactly as Solzhenitsyn and co. did? That the system will know they're innocent and release them later? With the recent questionable label of conspiracy theorists being labelled as threats (I don't fully believe it, I think it's probably some bull shit that is blown out of proportion but I've not bothered to actually look), I think it's important to actually mentally explore the possibility that someone could come knocking. I posted a link yesterday about ABC- ALWAYS be carrying. I mean this. In your home, too. Have a weapon on you. If you're in bed, have one in your drawer. Some ass hole comes busting in your door, its within reach. As a military wife with a husband who was deployed more years than home up until recently, I have slept with a gun under my pillow for years and it brings a lot more comfort than you'd think. Mentally imagine how someone would come into your home so that you can prepare for correct responses instead of freak out fail mode. I feel kinship with those who share my political and social beliefs, and desire for that to be propagated in the world. You guys have to stay alert, alive, and free. If they come, don't go peacefully into that good night.