“Slavery is freedom. Colorblindness is racism. Smears are political arguments. Thugs are freedom fighters”. Orwellian projection regarding our descent into a statist utopia is a bit trite and obvious. Media narratives regarding the “racism” of the Right have become more so. Conservatives, Libertarians, and sundry Tea Partiers now dive into the muddied waters of the Left’s latest game of “marginalize political opponents with invective and secret coding.” Ominous foreboding for the November elections.
The lines are drawn in the ideological battle for America’s soul. Intimations of Racial Jihad stir the air when the likes of Minister King Samir Shabazz of the criminally insane New Black Panther Party (NBPP) screams ‘kill some of their{cracka’s} babies.”
July 4th, 2010. Independence Day, current.
its been two hundred thirty four years, and yet we haven’t understood the lessons of history nearly as well as our founders did; and they had two hundred thirty four less years of history to learn from. Racial unrest despite legislation, cultural standards, taboos, and the elimination of any possible legal wrangling by which those who have a racist bent can get away with depriving a single individual of their liberties. Cynical political gamesmanship which pits every possible group against each other. A media so devoid of journalistic integrity, common sense, and moral values that few blink when one of them declares that a sitting President — and – I — quote — is “sort of God.” (evan thomas, ed. Newsweek). damn.
That being said, what a phenomenal position we are in! We are witnessing, in real time, the final evaporation of a cultural poison that has infected our political body for such a long time that we stopped even noticing the effects until those effects had brought the body to near ruin. Fortunately, the poison — this parasite of Statism, no longer has the strength to feed; and it will not kill the host.
Thank all that has reason that the calm, rational voices (with only a mercifully few exceptions) of the limited government, constitutional literalists, and tea party activists have spoken loud and clear and have said “enough”. The States are hearing these voices, as are the courts; and even a few courageous senators and congressman are getting the message loud and clear: We will have our independence from the overreaching authority of the federal government. So many are finally getting it that even the liberal wingnuts in the media are acknowledging that this President and this Congress have lost the consent of the governed.
For those of you who have condemned the opposition to your Progressive agenda as out of touch, racist, clueless, ignorant, greedy, or (fill in your favorite adjective) — those of you still hooked on the koolaid, its time you guys wake up as well. You who believe that those of us with a conservative or libertarian bent simply woke up a few days after Nov. 6th, 2009 and( after many of us voted for this Congress and this President) yet suddenly decided “hey, let’s go out and complain about a black president”, where the hell have you been and what friggin’ election results did you watch? Congress has had the approval rating approaching that of foot fungus for years, and the entrenchment of the two parties and their base has been here for years, All this, yet the President won by large margins, much of his support coming from the “teabagging rednecks” you now wish to vilify. The earthquake you are feeling under your feet is the tremble of discontent that has been building for a hell of a long time, you guys were just too strung out on all the “hope and change”, all the “I feel your pain”, all the “ask not what your country..” that you forgot that the change and the resentment had come a long time ago, and it wasn’t brought by the new black guy at 1600 Pa. Ave. The change was brought to our Republic while we continued to endure for decades (mostly in resigned silence) the results of the kool-aid of collectivism, socialism, mysticism, and straight on tyranny while many of you had no idea it was going on. You guys didn’t care, you were lovin’ the socialization and the progressivisation of America while you were distracted by pluggin’ in to your Ipod, cashing in on Reagan’s eighties, freakin’ on Yasger’s farm, and crying for the Rosenbergs. You failed to notice a damn thing till G.W. Bush went ballistic on Iraq and Afghanistan.
I’m reminded of the document whose signing we observe in reverence on this very day, a line in which Thomas Jefferson aptly describes the situation facing the colonies and the sort of thinking that leads to tyranny:
all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed
The fact is that we on the Conservative/Libertarian side have simply been paying attention a hell of a lot longer and watching a lot closer. We, you know, kind of like the whole freedom from tyranny and authority thing. When we dealt with T. Roosevelt, we failed to stop the “Progress”, when we endured W. Wilson, we got clobbered, taxed, jailed, smeared, and WW One’d into shutdown mode. When Hoover came, very few of us saw that loser coming. When F.D.R., that darling of the left, came and turned on the “change”, and turned the nation on to fascism with a happy face in the form of a monthly retirement check or government cheese, we temporarily got dosed with that smile on the koolaid pitcher. When he could only get us out of the depression his policies had created by joining WWII and by creating a labor tax –and then when he stuck around for an unprecedented 3+ terms, we changed that constitution real quick like to make sure his kind can’t stay too long. Kennedy getting us nearly nuked made us shake in fear. Nixon made us cringe in disgust, and Ford gave us a disgusted yet bemused chuckle, still we endured. and stayed relatively silent. Carter made us cry over our over taxed beer while he failed in getting our guys home, and empowered the one’s who are now preparing our nation’s elimination. Silence, and respect and deference to our Constitution and its process is what you got from us. Reagan inspired some of us, others worried about whether his fingers were in very criminal pies. Bush 1 kept some of us gagged into silence, and sold us out when we read his lips. Bill Clinton just made us gag. Bush 2 opened Pandora’s box with
“I’ve abandoned free market principles to save the free market system”. and “Islam is a religion of peace” (“shoot to kill, shoot to kill”)
You see, my friends who claim we just are feeling a bit sour grapy over electing a bit of “hope and change” and keep asking us”where were you when…”(again, of course, you must use the Bush sidestep in avoidance of the issue at hand), and yet you conveniently forget the last, you know, seventy years or so – we were here. We were listening and watching, and we are now wondering about you guys, you who finally awoke momentarily to gripe over Bush….”where the hell were you”? We’d been sleeping, you see, enjoying the peaceful slumber that comes from knowing you have a decent security system on the house, there’s a watch dog outside, and that 911 is only a phone call away. oh, wait. 911…let me think…
For those of us who care about liberty, who understand what it means, and who recognize and weep over the blood spilled by patriots and martyrs in order to keep liberty’s tree watered, 9/11 was our wake up call. We woke up to the fact that all too often, you can’t get to that phone and make that call to 9/11 because someone ripped out the phone from the wall. We came to understand that much too frequently, someone is fully prepared to shoot the dog barking at them. Sadly, our new apollogizer in chief and our power-lusting and money worshiping Congress are turning off the security system of Capitalism and border security; they hate and ridicule the notion of peace in strength, and they will not ever ascribe to Jefferson’s creed of “eternal hostility over every form of tyranny over the minds of men.” So, forgive us if we don’t smile and politely go away so you can continue to suck down the kool aid and enable the parasite that is corruption and entitlement which has been feeding off America. For our Nation’s survival we will not go back to sleep ever again. When you ask us why, oh why..are you only complaining now, and why won’t you, what was it John Stewart demanded us do..”shut the fuck up?” was it? it’s because we understand the words of Jefferson:
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security
In the tradition of the Declaration, I’ll offer my take on why America is demanding it’s Independence today. Just like in 1776, we have tyrants in our midst. Just like the times of Jefferson, Madison. Adams, Franklin, Paine, Washington, Hamilton, Revere, and so many others quiet, and wise..we have history to view, and we have two hundred thirty four more years of it than our founders had. , We also have a list of grievances that they left so that we can compare our abuses and usurpations to theirs:
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
– as in Congress members and the Administration’s opposition to their own federal law mandating that the federal government must protect the border. as in the govt’s opposition to the states reflecting the same language as the federal law in their respective state laws…and then, low and behold — enforcing them. As in the President lacking in common sense understanding of the language of the Constitution in respect to the first amendment, the second amendment, the seventh amendment, the ninth and tenth amendments — open calls for the fairness doctrine to limit free speech, dismissal of the clear language of the second amendment protections of the right to bear arms , trial by public ridicule and then extortion of “damages” by shame instead of a civil trial by jury for businesses not up to the Presidents high standards, and forcing through grossly Unconstitutional health care mandates and policy against the wishes of the majority of the nation which elected him.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
As in Congress and the President summoning recalcitrant individuals and business leaders for failing to act slower than they demanded when govt rammed through changes to oil drilling law and procedure, and thus experiencing the accident that logically followed not adequately studying and then adapting the brand new procedure and providing proper new safety standards, and of course as punishment they just needed to extort money to fix Congress’ and the President’s own mistakes.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
As in bully pulpit nullification of State law by the President, redistricting of congressional areas which are troublesome for the next election by Senators elected via Unconstitutional changes to the Constitution, supreme and federal court nullification of state laws which they deem to not fit the times such as Prop 8 and state gun laws.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
As in the President summarily dismissing the authority of the federal courts and the Supreme Court when he disapproves of their decisions, and then plans to circumvent them. for instance, the SCOTUS decisions on campaign donations and gun law.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
as in federal regulators coming into businesses to enforce the 45,000 federal regulations on the books, one shopkeeper at a time. As in the czars applenty with no accountability to the states, to congress, or to the people.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
oops, my bad..not yet — but with the President calling for a “civilian defense, just as powerful, just as strong” as the military…and, oh.., and, ugh, …why? defense from who?
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
as in some within Congress, the President, administration officials, (and perhaps soon with the current supreme court wannabe) supporting the submission of the United States Constitution and its sovereign authority to international law. as in subordinating the culture and the people to the moral code, if not the “legal” practice of collectivism.
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
as in who in govt on the left or the right doesn’t advocate for regulation, taxes, and controls that encourage or create restrictions on free and fair trade and job exporting? anyone? for stopping that alone. i’d vote for them.
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
please.
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
for instance, ask any business owner prosecuted under anti-trust or any drug arrestee who (with good sense) plea bargains just how that trial by jury was.
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
“we are three days away from Fundamentally transforming America” — Barack Obama, 2008.
responding to a question regarding the Constitutionality of the (then) health care proposal : “are you serious, are you serious…” – Nancy Pelosi, 2009.
responding to questions by a sitting member of congress demanding that he explain where (very specifically) in the Constitution the fed got its authority to nationalize the banking industry: Secretary of the Treasury Timothy (Turbo Tax Tim) Geithner: “under the laws of the land, of course…”.
explaining her position on the federal govt enforcing its own laws in regard to immigration: Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi: “it’s UnAmerican”.
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
as in the chair of the federal reserve refusing to acknowledge any limits on the power of the federal reserve, when questioned by a sitting congressman.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
as in the President refusing to state in simple terms, and very specifically, that we are at war with radical Islam and that Islamofascists are the enemy which we are fighting — thus ceding the ground to an enemy he will not name. as in stating in his own written word, that if battle lines are drawn between the United States and radical Islam, he will side with radical Islam.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
see above
You see, my friends drunk with glee with the idea that you can just shame us down with “what rights have been taken away?” type of questions, we actually have some answers to that question…and a hell of a lot of others as well. This is because we know that our Congress, Our President are clueless, and pitiless, that they are wannabe kings, and that they are (whether by design or by default) delivering us into “benevolent dictatorship”.
A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
November 6th, 2009 seems a like long way off today, not so for the Left, I’d imagine. They were too damn excited and they moved so fast they forgot to keep things steady and accidentally woke up that sleeping giant. A very special November awaits this year, and there are a couple more coming till the Nobampelosiprinceharry trifecta find their butts kicked to the curb, along with all on the left who support them. The traitorous sell outs of freedom on the right, as well, know that these Novembers are coming. And there is a whole lot more than just voting that needs to be done to clear out the poison in the veins, but we will get it done. What is so wonderful to know is that our Constitution has within it such little and yet powerful devices that could be engaged to protect and ensure our futures; they were designed by those who understood:
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Happy Independence Day.
Traditionally we take one day out of 365 every year to give thanks to those who died defending our nation in times of war and strife. Why one just one day? I don’t have a clue. Our history, that of a nation created and dedicated on principle to create the circumstances which produce freedom and the Rights of Man, suggests that one day, seven days, 30 days, 365 days per year are just not enough. Not enough time at all to give thanks and reverence to the men and women who were so committed to our values that they would lay down their lives to defend them. But today, at least by the calendar and by tradition, is it. It would be a no-brainer to thank the soldiers and citizen soldiers of the Greatest Generation who died defending Europe from being swallowed up by collectivism and thus stood up and defended our nation and our interests following the attack by Japan. A no brainer, yes. An insult to the memory of those men and women, most definitely.
Today, that same collectivism; the specter that Jonah Goldberg calls “fascism with a happy face”, is swallowing up us and the rest of the world. Unlike the during period the Greatest Generation faced, we are doing little to stand up as they did and say “no’. Our President and our Congress, much like in the 30s and 40s, are threatening our liberties every day and are preparing us (against our will) for the same nightmare that my Grandparents lived through, fought against, and beat down. I will not insult them by honoring that fight when my President and my Congress engage in behavior and write legislation which will recreate those events once again.
Today, on the day on which we honor the men and women who died defending our principles, I would like to thank the original American Generation; those men and women who died in the War for Independence. Unlike the fallen of Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq, or even the non-war on terror war on terror, those heroes knew and understood fully that for which they were fighting, they were not insulted while being dragged off against their will or manipulated with sentimental and nostalgic rhetoric about “American values” , “sacrifice”, “duty”, “god and country” – the men and women who died in the Revolution died defending the principles of freedom, reason, personal responsibility, self-interest, self-determination, self-rule—they literally died defending the Rights of Man. How far (far?) we’ve come since then.
We continue to ignore the struggle and the blood that they shed , and the amazing result of that struggle. To now pretend that we honor the dead of America, on this of all days, when we ignore and betray the very values those heroes died for, fills me with sadness; and with hope. We are beginning to fight back for those principles in Tea Parties across the nation. Perhaps now that America is seeing the irony and the hypocrisy of defending “Americanism” while abandoning everything America was, we will once again rise to the occasion as was done before. Perhaps their will be a second “Greatest Generation” — one that peers into the lens of history and understands that events do repeat themselves, if we allow ourselves to forget the premises that move those events.
We were told at the birth of America that we were being given “a Republic, if you can keep it”. On Memorial Day, when we honor the fallen — as well as every day on which we still retain that Republic, it is beholden on all of us to do everything we can to keep it.
The lamestream punditry’s false smears of alleged racism and violence on the part of the right has failed miserably in the court of public opinion. What’s a collectivist to do? They have no arguments, no ideas, and history’s uncompromising light shines brightly on the Progressive’s darkest parts of their collective closets. Their most recent ad hominem attacks on those of us concerned over creeping fascism? Lo and behold, finally ask legitimate questions—and assume that the right cannot answer them. I choose to respond to Fox News’ interview with Alan Colmes, simply because he has seemed to be the most reasonable liberal to have asked this loaded question. I also choose to respond to Mr.. Colmes because he has always been the most intellectually honest.
In a recent interview with Fox anchor Megan Kelly, Mr.. Colmes asked his gotcha question, with the minions of the left in the blogosphere and cable news gleefully crowing over Ms. Kelly’s apparent inability or unwillingness to answer what is a legitimate question to ask of those charging our government with usurping the people’s rights.
Colmes: I’d like to know exactly what freedom — what freedoms are being taken away from people?
Kelly: People are worried they’re going to lose their health-insurance coverage! They’re worried the federal government is going to step in, take over, and they’re not going to be able to see their coverage.
Colmes: I didn’t see any particulars about exactly what freedoms people think are going to be taken away. I would like to know what they are.
Kelly: There is just as much in this survey about health care as there is the Patriot Act!
Colmes: Yeah, but nothing in this survey says particular health care, particular Patriot Act, it’s just a general question, "freedoms". I mean, what particular freedoms. People call my radio show all the time, ‘My freedoms are being compromised.’
All right, I ask them. What freedom is being compromised? What freedom have you lost under Barack Obama?
Kelly: You tell me, Alan — do you think the Democrats on Capitol Hill are going into 2010 election thinking, ‘The problem with numbers like this is the Patriot Act! It is the Bush administration policies.’
Colmes: They’re also not going, ‘The problem is health care. If we get health care, my freedoms are being taken away.’ How do your freedoms get compromised?
Kelly: If you have a majority of Americans saying that the federal government poses a threat to the right[s] of Americans, those are not people who want the public option!
Colmes: Well, what rights are being — wait a minute, you’re suggesting that the public option is more government. No, it gives you greater options. It gives you greater opportunity.
I’d like to know what freedoms people think are being taken away. What particular freedom — where in the Bill of Rights are you losing something, based on what? What have Obama or Democrats done to take any right away from you? I’d like to know
Reasonable question? Absolutely. Is Kelly’s inability to articulate a direct list or set of principles evidence that in fact no freedoms or rights have in fact been lost. Hardly.
let’s begin with definitions: rights are those things understood to stem-not from government, individuals, the monarch or the church, but from our nature as rational animals (claims by religionists of the granting of rights by the deity not withstanding). Principles are those ethical standards rational beings must define by rational methods, and apply vigorously to a given concrete-and in context in order to live one’s life and maintain happiness.
the former is utterly dependent on the latter because one cannot protect or keep rights without the principles which underscore and validate them.
To Mr.. Colmes and all those who make the absurd ad hominem argument about the lack of evidence of lost rights and freedom:
If laws are enforced in an arbitrary and ad hoc manner (as in immigration policy, drug law, and the multitude of anti-trust and business regulations and laws), with no objective and clearly stated principles to undergird, define, and justify those laws; how can one say that article 1 section 9 of the constitution remains intact when preferential treatment has repeatedly been give to some states over others in regards to obamapelosi care—in the forms of bribes.?
“No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.”
what then of the principle the regularity and fairness of law and the right of equal treatment?
If no freedoms, rights, or corruption of the process has occurred, in regard to the writing and passage of much of federal law over the last several decades how is it we have ignored our supreme law when it comes to acquiring revenue outside of the power of congress and in a manner inconsistent with the text of our governing document when house in congress writes its own bills (and then later “reconciles” them despite article 1 section 7:
“All bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.”
what then of the principle of separation of powers and the right of self determination and representation?
If property rights are central to the American system and crucial to Capitalism, how is it that one can lose one’s property to eminent domain, be prosecuted for actions one cannot possibly know were {alleged} crimes when one makes decisions (under anti-trust), be subjected to arbitrary and mutually contradictory regulations which stifle innovation and limit growth, and must pay for and acquire meaningless licenses and certifications in order to be considered “legitimate and legal”—often at great personal cost in lost production, personal time, and money spent. If this is necessary to own, maintain, and use property—that it no longer is yours by right, but by permission.
what then of the principles of personal choice, private ownership, and earning by one’s effort without interference by others and thus the right to property?
All of these principles—and their resulting rights, were abandoned when ignoble souls decided that commerce, personal choice, free will, and mutual interest were inimical to their desires for the State to rule, and the people to obey. A handful of wealthy Europeans (with much help from non-Europeans) fought this notion—and built a nation like no other and freed the world. That freedom is seriously in jeopardy, because we’ve abandoned freedom’s foundational principles.
Ultimately, our Federal government-via red tape tyranny- is co-opting and thus obscuring our most vital rights, outlined in our Constitution:
Amendment 9 – Construction of Constitution. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment 10 – Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people
While our current President and his supporters bemoan the fact that our Constitution is a document designed of negative liberties (and he is certainly correct that it is), it is these last two (first, however in importance) he wishes to obliterate…by obfuscation and fiat.
A clever philosophical trick now being employed by those smearing opponents of the current government power grab. The basic argument: if you benefit in any way from collectivist treats (Medicare, handouts, public highways, ObamaPelosicare, parks, tax cuts, fill in the blank..), you have no right to gripe, and no philosophical leg to stand on. A seemingly reasonable and fully argued position—with an ugly moral premise smuggled in for those who are willing to accept the attached guilt. It is also full-on hypocrisy posing as righteousness.
As our current non-representing representatives are militant in their intent to leave no industry, no private decision, and no power outside the Federal Governments all-seeing, all-knowing eye and reach, one must come to the conclusion that any authority the Fed usurps must be accepted uncritically-providing alms are subsequently handed out to any impertinent dissenters. —“Be quiet, you small government greedy capitalists, and enjoy the candy while we burn down the store.” Smart, amusing drivel.
The paradox lies not with those racist, tea baggin’, violent, seditious retirees on Social Security opposing fascism with a happy face, but with those who demand subservience to the new State-as-God religion. Just as one can be ethically opposed to abortion yet happily leave that difficult decision and its aftermath outside the realms of the law, one can demand that Congress keep within its Constitutional restraints while indirectly (or even directly) benefitting from policy one is opposed to.
My personal favorite of these progressive arguments from intimidation is directed at Social Security or welfare recipients. It is formulated in a “but you “need” the help, so if you hate “the system”, don’t be part of it-or stop complaining about it” condescending nod. Collectivists accept completely the notion of “need” as an unspoken claim against others– so they argue that if you “need” their allegedly benevolent help you have an obligation to refuse it and suffer if you oppose socialism. Such a compassionate approach from the apostles of moral righteousness. Moral blackmail against the very oppressed or deserving masses they seem intent on capturing with love and benevolence. If the recipient in question is genuinely in need and is qualified to receive such help (whatever the hell that means) than the argument implies that ethical opposition disqualifies the recipient by default. Ms. Progressive, if your “victim” is due such alms by your morality-than it is his by right, is it not? If so, than it remains a right regardless of your opinion of his moral opposition. If such alms are not a right, and you continue to bully America into believing that they in fact are, than collectivism’s moral argument fails utterly. so which is it?
Such is the dilemma faced by the collectivist. He can claim a superior moral code only by arguing that socialist goodies are either rights-or alms.–they cannot be both. If they be alms, they are bribes to those who claim the right to the wealth of others. If they are rights, than only those who properly may have such rights are those who oppose them—as no man may claim the right to steal from others, and profess moral outrage at those who refuse to be victimized by a government designed to protect one’s rights.
