I have something of a personal grudge against the John Birch society. When my father got out of the Navy after 20+ years he went to school and got a degree in education, specializing in government and anthropology. He was eventually hired to teach government at a high school in a small town in California.

The reason the job was available was that the John Birch society had managed to take 3 of the 5 seats on the school board, and had fired the previous government teacher as a pinko of some sort.

When Dad came in and began teaching US Government in a more or less factual manner, using a text that compared and contrasted the US system with the Soviet system, the JB board members decided it was time for a repeat. The community fought back. I was a small child at the time, but the climax of that battle was told to me several times as it was rather epic.

Board meeting takes place. Subject: fire Dad, or not. Room is packed. Tensions are running high. And just before the meeting starts ...

Well, first let me tell you something about my father. A big man, he was over 6' tall before he broke his back in the Navy and fused 3 vertebrae together. And he loved the theater and was an accomplished actor, and he knew how to project it his voice. And he'd been a chief petty officer for nearly two decades. He had a presence, and a voice to match.

So, the meeting is about to start and the door opens and my father walks in. In his dress whites. With his medals (such as Purple Hearts). And he walks right up to the space between the board and the audience, faces the board, and declaims:

"I served this country for more than 20 years in 3 wars. I broke my back, I broke my neck, I have shrapnel in my body, I have scars. If anyone wants to criticize my patriotism to my face, I'm right here. Say your piece."

crickets

Dad stares at each of the Birchers in turn.

crickets

Dad continues to stare.

One of the non-Birchers makes a motion to adjourn. Seconded. Passed.

A recall election was organized and the Birchers were replaced.

EPIC WIN for Dad.

So, Charles and David, you come from truly rotten stock, and my father was a better man than yours, no matter how much money you inherited from him. Deal with it.