If
you haven't actually met serious ARs before, expect the hair to
stand up on the back of your neck. These are creepy, unhappy people,
often marching to a drummer more different than most of us can
imagine. If you need a refresher course in what you're fighting,
re-read Voices
from the Dark Side at the NAIA site.
Their
drummer has different rules. Expect to be abused, lied to and
lied about. If you take the lead, expect email attacks in the
form of worms and virsus and worse; if you write to the newspapers,
expect responding letters to accuse you of chaining your dogs
in the sun with no water; if a public meeting is planned expect
anonymous calls to security saying you're inciting violence;if
you breed, expect to be called a puppy mill, 'just in it for the
money' and don't be surprised if your local Animal Control Officer
gets a false tip about your "shoddy" animal care.
Defending
our rights isn't a game for wimps.
Some,
often much, of your battle plan will go badly.
Keep
the herd moving west, keep showing up for work, keep loading and
firing.
Never
give up and do not get discouraged. Ask for pep talks if you need
them.
Do
take enough time off that you don't burn out.
If
you're a leader, encourage others to become leaders too, and cheer
their successes. You can never have too many effective leaders.
