Danegeld

“It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation

To call upon a neighbour and to say: —

“We invaded you last night–we are quite prepared to fight,

Unless you pay us cash to go away.”

So begins Rudyard Kipling’s poem, Danegeld. It was a foreboding lesson, and all too accurate of today. What began as raids in the 10 century continues on today. A different group demanding it, but the strategy is the same.

Today’s Danes use shame, intimidation and ridicule to gain their gold. The threat of actual violence is not mentioned – in fact, the rules of the game seem to indicate that actual use of violence robs you of points. Instead, the leaders threaten boycotts, protests and – worse – damning headlines in local and national press.

Often the victims of this attention are bewildered and befuddled. What did they do? Often there isn’t any actual guilt to assign; they are just a convenient wall to paste the message on.

Appeasement never works. Appeasement. Never. Works.  APPEASEMENT. NEVER. WORKS.

A little hesitation. A little waffling. A little committee study. And the game is lost.

If ever you are faced with such demands, cry not to lawyers. Lawyers, by their very training seek to smooth issues, to compromise – often to capitulate with misdirection. “Ha Ha! We’re giving in, but let me make it look like we’ve won!”

Don’t seek advice from the book keepers. Thier job is simply to tell you if you have the money for tribute; not to advise for or against paying it.

Instead, you need to Man up; Cowboy up; Put on your Big Girl panties.

You need to say no. And not just no, but HELL NO!! WE WON”T PAY!

An early American president, faced with ransom demands against American shipping, replied by sending a squadron of war ships. A leading newspaper of the day supported the presidents actions, with the banner headline, “Millions for defence, but not a cent for tribute!” 

That headline needs to fly again.

America was born of a pugnacious people, a rebellious rabble who demanded that their right to self-determination WOULD be recognized around the world. We’ve fought wars on that premise, and lost millions of citizens – some before they could even vote – supporting that ideal.

And when modern-day brigands shout in our faces, demanding retribution (whether in cash or recognition), our response had best be NO!

Otherwise, you’ve lost before you can even begin to fight.

This started with the first stanza of a poem: it’s only fitting to end it with that same poem. Pay particular attention to the last stanza. It is a harsh, but necessary reminder.

Dane-Geld by Rudyard Kipling

A.D. 980-1016

It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation

To call upon a neighbour and to say: —

“We invaded you last night–we are quite prepared to fight,

Unless you pay us cash to go away.”

And that is called asking for Dane-geld,

And the people who ask it explain

That you’ve only to pay ’em the Dane-geld

And then  you’ll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,

To puff and look important and to say: —

“Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.

We will therefore pay you cash to go away.”

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;

But we’ve  proved it again and  again,

That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld

You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,

For fear they should succumb and go astray;

So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,

You will find it better policy to say: —

“We never pay any-one Dane-geld,

No matter how trifling the cost;

For the end of that game is oppression and shame,

And the nation that pays it is lost!”