Remembering Michael Badnarik

August 1, 1954 - August 11, 2022

“The Godfather” of the Constitution passed away last Wednesday at home from heart failure. Those that were close to Michael knew that the day would come, but because he was so lively and adventure driven, few knew how soon. I do not know what has or will become of his Dodge Challenger that he fearlessly drove at 125mph threw Texas, but whomever drives it next has large shoes to fill.

The day after our Independence Day, Michael Badnarik and I met. I had just recorded a pilot for a new podcast I was working on (this would become America Emboldened). Michael responded the next morning and asked for my phone number. He wanted to speak to me about what I was hoping to accomplish.

When my phone rang at 10am the next morning I had no idea that the character I had seen on the internet was ten times more of a firecracker than I imagined. He began by telling me, “Why do you want to talk about the constitution? No one cares, the country is already dead. People are getting exactly what they fucking deserve. The United States is over with. The Titanic is sinking, the propellers are up in air, people are knee deep in water, and you think YOU can grab a bucket and bail?” I was speechless for the first time in many years.

He asked me, “Greg, why are you trying to save the country?” I replied, “My goal for this podcast is trying to wake people up.” He interrupted, “You can’t. I understand that, and at some level I think it’s applaudable, but you cannot wake people up. I spent the last 30 years of my life trying to teach people about the Constitution, trying to warn people that the United States is in trouble. I am the best instructor on the North American content. I can take really complex issues and make people go, oh shit, I understand that. It is not my inability to teach - and people hate when I say this, but Americans are too stupid to learn.”

Maybe this was a bad idea.

If someone could feel completely defeated in getting granted an interview, it was me in that moment. I knew that Michael had little interest in my podcast or recording a formal interview. This conversation felt more like making sure I felt my naivety in my soul.

About 25 minutes in Michael went to a place where I was not expecting. He asked me if I was capable of shaking a table with marbles on it to place them into a pyramid. It was here I realized he was explaining the concept of entropy - the constitution was falling into a place of increasing disorder. He wanted to make sure people knew they needed to take responsibility for themselves and keep government subservient to them. But he stated, “people aren’t smart enough to understand the Constitution.” And as a result they had no idea of what it would provide for them.

He spoke about shadow government and billionaires, and how they had made enough money that they think they deserve to be in charge, and that we were obligated to be their slave. I responded, “Isn’t that evident with Bill Gates.” Michael fired back, “Is it evident? So what evidence do YOU see, and how come others don’t see the evidence that you see?” I stated, “I don’t know why they can’t.” A long pause.

Badnarik continued, “Because you are smarter than other people, and you have a synapse or two still functioning in your head, and you recognize that although you may not have complete control of the universe, you recognize you have some limited input into society, and extrapolating that in your crazy little mind you think you can make the world better. I applaud you for your thought. Good luck. (pause) You can’t make the world any better because you and I are outnumbered by idiots.”

We continued speaking, and Michael asked his final question of me, “Why does interviewing me matter now?”

I had no good answer. Michael had thoroughly made his case that after 30 years he felt he fought a losing battle to educate the country. I could only tell him that I wanted to introduce him to my audience and help plant more seeds. I used the analogy of the mustard seed. Mr. Badnarik told me, I was naive.

He asked me to think about interviewing him for the next one to two weeks before responding, and if I could justify it, he would do my podcast. I told him I would, and that I did not want to waste time, so I would make sure I had a purpose for why we were going to record.

Now to find purpose.

A few days later I sent him an email thanking him for his time. He responded in kind.

A week went by and I could not shake his words. What was I doing? Why was I doing this? Why was I dedicating my time to a podcast that people may ignore or not care about? Why did it matter if I had his voice. I meditated on it. I became consumed with it.

At the end of the week I emailed him back. Here’s an excerpt:

“You asked why any of this matters, why you should be a part of the show and interviewed. At the time I stated, “if I reach 5 people”.

Here is what I should have said. Because what you said to me matters - and I want to make sure it’s preserved beyond your writing and classes.

I’d love to give you another platform to say whatever is left to say. And, I’d love to bring you to a younger generation of listeners.

No matter what you decide, I enjoyed speaking with you.

With gratitude,
Greg

10 minutes passed by.

My phone rang.

“I’m Having Some Trouble Today”

The confident Michael Badnarik that told me of his adventures a week and a half earlier were replaced with a pensive voice. He told me he had too much fun. His water retention was high and his heart was giving him trouble. Michael decided to double the prescription rather than go to a hospital because he was in a new area and didn’t know where to go. I immediately shifted from a podcast creator to a concerned friend asking how I could assist him. I offered to google health providers nearby. He told me he didn’t know how much time he had left and felt the podcast would be worthwhile to archive his final thoughts.

I Want to Tell the Story of the Titanic

He was not in proper shape to do an interview, but his mind was sharp. He said he wanted to tell a final story where he was the Captain of the Titanic, and he needed to log what went wrong. The Titanic of course was his metaphor for the United States. Refocusing him back to his health, he agreed he’d get to a hospital.

He told me that should he manage to come home from this hospital that he would record with me. I was more focused on finding my new friend care than a show.

My Gut Feeling

During my initial conversation with Michael I never knew he was having health challenges. But, I did feel he was interviewing me for something larger than my podcast. I confided in a close friend that my gut told me he did not contact me for my podcast, he contacted me to see if I would be the one to share a final message. The interview I requested would be his vehicle should he find me agreeable. I felt like I was chosen even before I knew of his health. Once health became apparent, I knew the episode needed to be his, not mine.

We recorded the episode on July 20th and Michael was filled with energy and well prepared. He had stories and launched into many of them with his metaphors and allegories. He reminded me of how in the bible stories parables were told for their effectiveness. It was clear to me that Michael was aware of the Greek philosophers and how their teachings and stories resonated.

Many people commented about their takeaways. They centered around progressives ruining the country and how our constitution is no longer respected. But that was not my main takeaway.

THE CORE MESSAGE

Perhaps it was because I knew this would be his final voice recording left for people that I was tuned into a different message. And it is why I would like you to listen to his episode again, or, for the first time with this context.

Michael was a man of principle, generosity, empathy, and love.

And with those core values in his message, he wanted every human being to do their best to also reach these as well.

Principle - a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning.

Michael received his principles from his father and mother. He spoke of both of them with a longing heart. He was proud to be their child. But he was also proud that they raised him as a principled man and encouraged him into the boy scout way of life. This helped shape his patriotism and courage to stand up for others while the rest sat and stared. He became fearless because of his fortitude. But in order to have this, Michael also needed to search and study for truth. You can hear this during my interview as he discusses his conversation seeing a water fountain that another child could not use because of the color of his skin. You can hear his fortitude for how wrong it was and is in society to treat anyone as less of a person.

Generosity - the quality of being kind and generous.

Michael was generous. I did not need to interview him to figure this out. He was a man who gave me over six hours of his time, but in doing so, always had words and a message to teach. He did not berate me, he was being kind and helping me to look into my humility to be the best person I could be. I immediately understood why so many people would love to be around him. He didn’t kiss your ass, he showed you who you were and how you could improve. And he did this with his time. During his constitution classes he would constantly update from city to city, and he would allow those who attended to call and ask questions. There was no fee. He simply did this because he knew it mattered that individuals be informed. A week before he died, he called to invite me to his birthday party. He had known me for only a month or so. But he wanted me to know he had about 40 friends joining him for one final party if I could make it. That was generous. I believe he just wanted me to meet his amazing circle. I’m sorry I could not make it.

Empathy - the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

I believe practicing empathy is one of the hardest things to do in this world. But Michael was concerned about how people think. He would travel across the country just to fight for a cause and help individuals. He did more for people than most elected politicians, and he did it because he understood that helping people feel their freedom was vital to happiness as experienced through liberty.

Love - affectionate greetings conveyed to someone on one's behalf.

As Michael and I ended our podcast there is a section I removed. It was personal. I knew that he may not be around, and so often we don’t say this to people, but I was so deeply moved by his generosity, I told him that I loved him. And I loved what he was for everyone else, and I wanted him to hear that on behalf of those who may not get an opportunity to say it. Michael thanked me, and then told me he loved me too. And in that interaction I understood the soul and frequency of which our time spoke in our lives. In my final conversation with Michael, he ended by telling me he loved me and thanked me for my concern and care.

Photo by Kevin Butz on Unsplash

THANK YOU MICHAEL BADNARIK

These four principles made all who knew him better in this world. His brain was unmatched. His fortitude was inspirational. His heart may have physically failed him, but he placed himself into the hearts of all of us. And that must continue to beat.

In the coming weeks I am gathering voices of those who knew him. We will continue to keep Michael alive, because his life mattered, as he said, All life matters.

I want to close by sharing that Michael would change his signature in his emails. Here are two that touched me in looking back at our communications.

My candle burns at both ends; - It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - It gives a lovely light!
- Edna St. Vincent Milay

Fate whispers to the warrior, "You cannot withstand the storm."
The warrior whispers back, "I am the storm."

If you would like to hear his words with me:

The Voice of Liberty - Michael Badnarik Pt 1

The Voice of Liberty - Michael Badnarik Pt 2

Pace e Bene, Michael.

Memento Mori to all.

With love,

Greg