"Threw down the gauntlet"

A "Gauntlet" is a glove that is made of metal or stiff leather and was worn in medieval times by the knights. Knights were men who usually were in the employ of the king. They acted in the role of part of a private army. They wore full suits of armor to protect themselves as they fought on behalf of the king. They are usually portrayed as riding a horse which was also protected by metal around its head and chest.

This writer is not certain when the custom originated but if a knight wanted to challenge another to "do battle", he removed one of his gauntlets and threw it to the ground in front of the one he wanted to challenge. If the one who was challenged picked up the gauntlet, it signified he accepted the challenge. Usually, a very strict code was followed that specified the time, place, and weapons to be used.

The battle usually began by the combatants riding their horses toward one another at full gallop. Each had a lance that he kept pointed at his opponent and attempted to at the very least, unseat his opponent. If successful, his opponent fell off his horse and hit the ground. It is difficult to imagine how anyone wearing a full suit of armor, and falling to the ground from his horse, was not seriously injured.

If the one who fell was able to rise from the ground and continue to defend himself, the battle continued. The other was not required to dismount and could continue to attempt to strike the one who had fallen with whatever weapon he had, e.g. broadsword, mace, ax, etc.

Again, it is difficult to believe that the one who had fallen would have a reasonable chance to overcome the obvious advantage the other had, being mounted. If you have seen such battles being shown in a movie, the one who had fallen, if the "hero", always managed to win!!!

In our case, Robert Gleason, the chairman of the State Republican Committee, has figuratively "thrown down the gauntlet" by ignoring the reasonable requests sent to him that asked for an "open primary" election. The requests were based on the fact that by his endorsement of one candidate for the governorship of our State over another, he has willfully assumed the stance of a dictator. He has not followed the will of the people (us) and is essentially forcing us to accept the candidate of his choice rather than ours.

We could not accept his challenge without a reply and so have "picked up the gauntlet"!! Given the climate of politics nationally, it would appear that Mr. Gleason, to some degree, has Masochistic tendencies or his neurons are not synapsing as they should. This writer certainly plans to provide Mr. Gleason with as much pain or embarassment as his Masochistic tendencies can stand. As far as his neurons are concerned, this writer knows of no specific cure for his problem other than to recommend he see a Gastroenterologist who specializes in assessment of and appropraite intervention to rectify the situation.

As far as the recommendation noted above, this writer does not intentionally infer any sarcasm but makes the recommendation based on documentation that anyone who's feet "smell" and who's nose "runs" must therefore be built backwards. Given that observation, it then follows that their neurons must reside in a different location than other folks. It is then hoped that Mr. Gleason will be able to identify a professional who will be able to intervene and provide the necessary care that will result in his recuperation and return to the mainstream of society.

In the meantime, Mr Sam Rohrer's followers who began as a squad, have grown exponentially to a platoon, then a company, a regiment, a brigade, a division, a corps, and finally an army!!! We have an army every individual of which has the resolve to achieve victory. It is therefore that this writer extends the invitation to Mr. Gleason, after receiving the appropriate intervention for his problem, to join our ranks in order to provide the most ethical decision making process for the people of our State. That decision being to choose the one who the people (us) want to represent us in the political arena.

Let the games begin!!!

Semper Fidelis

Nurse John