Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ Today we’re interviewing Rick Johnson a former conservative talk radio host on Paul Revere Radio, a videographer, and now the founder of the Rowan County Oath Keepers.
Steve Mensing: Glad to have you aboard Rick.
Rick Johnson: Glad to be here.
Steve Mensing: Could you tell our readers about yourself.
Rick Johnson: People often ask me, “Where are you from?” My answer often confuses, “I am not sure.” I was raised in a military family, following my dad all over the world. Before I turned 18 I had the unique opportunity to visit places like Guam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc. After high school Jimmy Carter was president and jobs were far and few between. (sound familiar) I joined the USAF and was a Combat Communications specialist with a focus on ground radar systems. I maintained Air Traffic Control radar for most of my career. My service record shows multiple overseas tours and 4 combat Campaigns.
While in the service I met my wife and we raised two great kids. My oldest son is married and lives in Graham, NC with his family. My youngest son is also married with two kids and another on the way. They live here in Salisbury.
Hobbies? I currently am an active member of the Iron Dragon Tae Kwon Do Academy which meets at the West End Plaza. I also enjoy orienteering, repelling and participating in Robin Sage, but I just don’t have time right now.
Until recently I was the founder and lead reporter for an international news blog called Paul Revere Media. PRM had a very good run and was one of my best broadcasting adventures. The blog averaged 1,500+ monthly members and about 40-50,000 views per month. We had listeners from all over the world. There was a large group of listeners from as far away as Israel and South Korea. We had listeners from each continent to include military members in Antarctica. The radio portion of the project allowed me to interview some of today’s most interesting people in politics. In January after a 10 year run, I decided to fold the PRM tent and focus on issues closer to home.
Steve Mensing: How did you first learn about Oath Keepers? What attracted you to it?
Rick Johnson: Shortly after hurricane Katrina I started hearing reports of military members being ordered to confiscate firearms from law abiding citizens. I was immediately concerned because this is in direct violation of the Constitution our military swore to defend. This was also noted by other former military members across the country. At this time Stewart Rhodes was moved to found the national organization, “OATH KEEPERS.”
Steve Mensing: What motivated you to found Rowan County Oath Keepers?
Rick Johnson: I got involved with a group of Oath Keepers before I moved back to North Carolina. When I arrived here, I was disappointed there was not a local chapter. So……
Steve Mensing: What exactly is Oath Keepers? What exactly sets them apart from other conservative organizations?
Rick Johnson: Oath Keepers is a non-partisan association of current and former serving military, police and first responders who pledge to fulfill the oath all military and police take to “defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” The oath, mandated by Article VI of the Constitution, is “to the Constitution”, not to politicians.
Oath Keepers reaches out to both current serving and veterans to remind them of their oaths, to teach them about the Constitution they swore to defend, and to inspire them to defend it.
Our motto is “Not on our watch!”
Steve Mensing: What principles of our Republic are Oath Keepers sworn to defend?
Rick Johnson: Simply put, the oath we took to defend the Constitution is a life long oath.
Our oath is to the Constitution, not to the President, not to Congress, and not to any political party. Historically, the U.S. military has been apolitical. We don’t care if an unlawful orders come from a Democrat or a Republican, or if the violation is bi-partisan. We will not obey unconstitutional (and thus unlawful) and immoral orders, such as orders to disarm the American people or to place them under martial law. We won’t “just follow orders.” Our motto: “Not on Our Watch!”
Many of our public school stopped stressing the U.S. Constitution and civics decades ago. Because of this, a debate exists within the ranks of the military regarding the oath. Some mistakenly believe they must follow any order of the President. Many others understand their loyalty is to the Constitution and to We the People. We work to increase their numbers.
Steve Mensing: Where can folks get more information about Oath Keepers both nationally and here in Rowan County?
Rick Johnson: The National web site is http://www.OathKeepers.org.
Steve Mensing: Our local web site is http://www.RowanOathKeepers.com.
The Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/RowanOathKeepers
Our TWITTER account is @RowanOathKeeper
You can also write us at RowanOathKeepers@gmail.com
Steve Mensing: I’ve read through several of the Oath Keeper’s publications. Could you let readers know about: “What are the 10 orders the Oath Keepers will not obey?”
We will not follow any order which violates the Constitution we swore to defend. The Bill of Rights would be a good place for people to study. For those too busy, here are the 10 orders we will not obey.
1. We will NOT obey any order to disarm the American people.
2. We will NOT obey any order to conduct warrantless searches of the American people, their homes, vehicles, papers, or effects – such as warrantless house-to house searches for weapons or persons.
3. We will NOT obey any order to detain American citizens as “unlawful enemy combatants” or to subject them to trial by military tribunal.
4. We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a “state of emergency” on a state, or to enter with force into a state, without the express consent and invitation of that state’s legislature and governor.
5. We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty and declares the national government to be in violation of the compact by which that state entered the Union.
6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.
7. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.
8. We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to “keep the peace” or to “maintain control” during any emergency, or under any other pretext. We will consider such use of foreign troops against our people to be an invasion and an act of war.
9. We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies, under any emergency pretext whatsoever.
10. We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.
Steve Mensing: What are some common misconceptions about the Oath Keepers?
Rick Johnson: First, we are NOT a militia. Let me repeat, we are NOT a militia.
Second, some of the local Facebook pages have already started calling us the military arm of the Tea Party. This is not the case. Yes, there are some members of the Tea Party who are participating with Oath Keepers. However, they are only about 10 % of the local membership.
For fun, take a moment to Google the term Oath Keepers. You will find articles in the Huffington Post, Mother Earth News and other left leaning web sites. These articles say we are subversive, right wing radicals who desire to overthrow the government. There is nothing further from the truth. One of my favorite terms being used to describe Oath Keepers would be “the New McCarthyites.” That is a hoot.
You can visit our web site and find an article called WHAT WE ARE NOT found at the top of the page.
Steve Mensing: Is it possible for someone who believes in and swears to publicly uphold our U.S. Constitution to become a member of the Oath Keepers?
Rick Johnson: Of course. If you never served in the military, law enforcement or as a first responder you can join as an associate member. You have to be willing to swear the following oath.
I, STATE YOUR NAME do solemnly Swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, pledging my life, my fortune, and my sacred honor. So help me, God.
Steve Mensing: When is the Oath Keepers next meeting in Rowan County? Special guests?
Our next meeting is on Saturday, March 1st. Rowan Sheriff Auten is our special guest.
Last meeting we had 96 in attendance. We hope to have this many to hear what our sheriff has to say concerning the Constitution.
We currently meet at the American Army Navy store at 2210 Statesville Blvd, Salisbury, NC 28147
We have almost outgrown the facility. If anyone wishes to come, I would suggest they bring their own chair.
Steve Mensing: Appreciate you taking the time.
Rick Johnson: Sure thing.
