Perspectives: Walking the walk instead of just talking the talk

OPINION – How serious are you about freedom? A great many Americans sense that it is in decline but remain unsure as to what they can do to defend and uphold it.

There’s no shortage of voices commenting on the passing scene. This is particularly true when the subject involves freedom. But which voices deserve our attention?

Amidst a cacophony of commentators, there are some voices that carry more weight than others. These are the voices of those individuals who have moved beyond lip service and who actively walk the walk of defending freedom.

They have moved from complaining on the sidelines to playing an active role in moving the cause of liberty. The reason their words are worth considering is because they have paid the price to personally understand the principles and practices of freedom.

They are classically educated and have carefully studied history and the works of the greatest thinkers. They understand the necessity of original research and the importance of original sources. They are problem solvers rather than partisan hacks.

They speak and write with a power and gravity that eludes parrots, polemicists, and shills. This power is not based upon their understanding alone, but also on their ability to live up to the principles they espouse with great consistency — even when it is inconvenient. This is what separates them from mere politicians and opportunists.

Like all individuals who are having real impact, they attract the relentless opposition of those who live to smear and discredit others. It never occurs to their critics that tearing down what others have built is nothing like actually creating something of value. Their detractors have little of significance to add since they thrive on discontentment.

It requires great courage to remain true to one’s principles in the face of public antagonism. But it takes no courage whatsoever to be a critic these days. The anonymity of the Internet has greatly exacerbated this tendency.

Truly great individuals often have great personal challenges and tragedies to overcome while on their chosen path. The greater the individual, the greater the demons they likely had to wrestle along the way. But it is the struggle and the tenacity to continue following their dream that acts as a strengthening and refining process in their lives.

More often than not, the greatest battles they fight are not played out on a stage for the entire world to see. Instead, they consist of the personal struggles that are won in private moments and known only to the individual.  They are often rejected because they are not well known. But if simply winning the approval of the masses were an effective test of legitimacy, we’d all be looking to Lady Gaga for advice.

One of the best examples of an individual who walks the walk and speaks with clarity and authority on the subject of freedom is my friend Oliver DeMille.

Nearly 14 years ago, I first met Oliver when he filled in for Senator Jake Garn at a banquet for the Southwest Science Foundation in St. George. I was impressed with his call for statesmanship in every facet of our society.

What impressed me the most about his call to action was that it was directed to the common citizens who are tempted to leave leadership to others. DeMille believed that there are seeds of greatness in each of us and that we each have an indispensable role to play in this life.

I greatly appreciated his emphasis on allegiance. He unflinchingly prioritized the need for allegiance to God, to family, and then to country. He didn’t just call for smarter voters, he called for men and women of virtue, wisdom, diplomacy and courage to inspire greatness in others and move the cause of liberty.

This message sparked an awareness in me that there was much more that I could be doing with my own life to fulfill a sense of personal mission. I count it as a great privilege to have been mentored by Oliver DeMille and I can attest that he is one who truly walks the walk.

DeMille has faced deep hardships, personal trials, and betrayal that might have crushed lesser individuals. He has paid a price that few others were willing to pay. He has endured the kind of vicious opposition that few of us ever will and has remained true to his principles.

This is why when he speaks on “the Battle for Liberty” tonight at the Life and Liberty Forum being held at the Dixie Center St. George, it would be wise to be in the audience. RSVP requested, follow the link for details.

Bryan Hyde is a news commentator and co-host of the Perspectives talk show on Fox News 1450 AM 93.1 FM. The opinions stated in this article are his and not representative of St. George News.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @youcancallmebry

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2013, all rights reserved.

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11 Comments

  • Chris August 22, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    For an alternative view of the integrity of Oliver DeMille, go to http://news.gw.edu/?p=393. As the public statement from the trustees of George Wythe University contained therein indicates, not everyone who knows Oliver considers him in such glowing terms. Aside from a great deal of mere talk on the subject of freedom, what specific action has Oliver DeMille ever taken to further the cause?

  • Chris August 22, 2013 at 6:29 pm

    The Life and Liberty Forum is being presented by local members of LIFE, the latest direct marketing scheme (“scam” might be more appropriate) created by the infamous Orrin Woodward. The pyramid schemes originated by this man seem to be never ending. So, now we have Bryan Hyde shilling for this shady outfit. My, my Bryan! The company you keep!

    • Thomas Dyches August 22, 2013 at 11:21 pm

      Hey “Chris”: You missed a great meeting tonight. I was the MC of the event. It was great to hear Oliver D’s message, it was powerful & poignant. U may have enjoyed it. Who knows? But I’ll tell u what, u should tell us all what you are doing to move forward the cause of freedom. U should also hold a mtg (u personally organize, market & fund – we had no company sponsorship whatsoever) and invite us to it. We would come. It’s easy to be critical but what are u actually doing to fix things? We would support u wholeheartedly. Respectfully ~ THOMAS DYCHES

      • philiplo August 23, 2013 at 8:41 am

        U should learn to spell “you.”

      • Chris August 26, 2013 at 2:43 pm

        Hey “Thomas Dyches,” I am calling BS on your assertion that “we had no company sponsorship whatsoever.” The event’s own website clearly states that LIFE sponsored the forum. Perhaps, you were unaware of what sort of gathering you were the MC of. The fact remains that LIFE is the creation of the king of pyramid scams, Orrin Woodward. No matter how inspiring Oliver DeMille sounded, it is still just talk. Talk is cheap, although it might not be cheap for anyone who was conned into joining LIFE.

  • David Crowther August 23, 2013 at 10:10 am

    I’ve met better speakers but Demille’s honesty and straight forward speech with the background he has is most likely the most engaging presentation I’ve ever seen.

    • Chris August 26, 2013 at 2:45 pm

      You might want to verify the “background” of Oliver DeMille by checking the link I cited above. DeMille is a giant fraud.

  • Lisa August 26, 2013 at 8:07 am

    Hmm, how things change. I always thought it was “walk the talk”. In other words, don’t just talk about it; get up and do something. Now it’s “walk the walk”? Just an observation.

    • Craig August 26, 2013 at 9:21 am

      It IS “walk the talk” but keep in mind, this is Utah and they are not always up to date on how far apart the walk is from the talk.

      • ????? August 26, 2013 at 7:34 pm

        The saying – from outside of Utah, mind you – is “You talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?” Meaning, you boast/sound like you know what you’re doing, but can you actually perform/aren’t just full of sh**?
        .
        I’ve never heard “Can you walk the talk?” but it makes sense.

  • Craig August 27, 2013 at 6:40 am

    The saying that I have heard…OUTSIDE of Utah is :
    You can talk the talk but can you walk the talk…meaning can ” you” walk the talk you’ve been spewing.

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