Two weeks ago, I was invited for another interview with Libertarian Institute Director Scott Horton, who’s still fresh off his extended, three hour appearance with Tucker Carlson.
In the closing minutes of his presentation on America’s Middle East wars, Scott gave the Defend the Guard movement the biggest media hit in its history. As a follow up, he wanted me to speak to his audience again about this bill which would prohibit your state’s National Guard from being deployed into active combat overseas, unless Congress has first voted to declare war.
I encourage you to listen to the full forty-eight minutes, but there’s a particular exchange I wanted to highlight.
For over five years, my right-hand man in this movement has been Diego Rivera, who works as the Director of Field Operations at Bring Our Troops Home. Diego is an Iraq War veteran who served as a U.S. Army Ranger, with a long resume of campaign work. He’s tilled the grassroots more than anyone currently working in politics, and his rolodex reflects that.
Diego lives in Austin, where Scott is a proud native son. This gives them many opportunities to coordinate in-person on how to defeat the Washington empire, and as Scott tells it, he loves Diego because “his temper is about as short as mine.” (And woe to politicians at the receiving end.)
“He’s got no patience at all for politics,” Scott goes on, “and yet that’s his only job: dealing with these people in these capitol buildings. UGH! Somehow he does it.”
Now comes the important part: how does Diego bend politicians to his will? How has he helped me introduce Defend the Guard legislation into over thirty states, passing committees and winning votes in places like Arizona, New Hampshire and others?
Scott gives the best distillation of my organization’s practice of “confrontational politics” that I’ve heard:
“[Diego] stopped trying to convince anyone. He stopped trying to persuade anyone or reason with anyone. Because it just doesn’t work. And what he decided instead was he would just let them know: ‘We have the numbers to ruin your life. You want to fight? Let’s fight. That’s it. You can either play ball or you can get wrecked.'”
Bring Our Troops Home does not cut background deals. We make ultimatums: follow the Constitution and listen to veterans, or we’re coming for your seat. We leave the fancy dinner parties to the Beltway think tanks.
“You think you’re afraid of the Israel lobby? Try messing with the veterans of the United States of America who are lining up behind this thing,” Scott publicly warned legislators.
And you know the best part? Diego isn’t hording this knowledge to himself. He wants to share it with you.
That’s why we have our Political Leadership School, where Diego or I fly out to your hometown and teach you and your friends a day-long class on confrontational politics, real tactics, and how to achieve liberty—not just tweet about it! You’ll learn how politics works in the real world, and become equipped with actionable lessons that you’ll be able to utilize for the rest of your life.
Is that something you’re interested in? I can’t guarantee politicians will listen to your arguments—but I can guarantee they’ll fear you. And from that power you’ll achieve real success, like passing Defend the Guard or any other bill you want that puts America First and restores the liberty that is your birthright.
Visit the Political Leadership School page on the Bring Our Troops Home website and fill out the form that you want to host a school. We’ll schedule the dates with you as you round up a couple dozen of your friends, family, and other local patriots. And in one day, Diego Rivera will change your whole outlook on life.
