"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary." ~ H.L. Mencken
Are You a Patriot?
Reed asserts that patriotism is not a feeling or a blind trust in government officials, and it is not necessarily a love of country. Rather, it is “Freedom — understanding it, living it, and teaching it. That… is what patriotism should mean to each of us today.”
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I guess I'd fall under the category of "patriot". Of course I am a sovereign state. So my patriotism is rather self-centered, wouldn't you agree?
It is astounding to me how many "libertarians" challenge me regarding my declaration of self-sovereignty, though. They're still tilting at windmills, I suspect -- hoping to indeed topple "the state" (that demon abstraction -- thanks, David Calderwood).
Good luck.
Sam
I would like to understand how one becomes a Sovereign state. I keep hearing this and I, for the life of me, cannot grasp the concept. I would really appreciate it if you could clear this up for me so I can understand it. With all due respect.
Glock:
"...I would like to understand how one becomes a Sovereign state..."
If you can watch and listen carefully to this, to at least 11.0, (where he talks about D-I-V-O-R-C-E), you will then understand.
Sam
Glock:
"...I would like to understand how one becomes a Sovereign state..."
As long as I'm touting Molyneux's work, I urge you to watch (and listen carefully) to this. I have the suspicion you've been subject to the philosophy he deals with in this video.
And unless you can listen to Stefan's videos carefully, you'll never understand sovereignty (which I in some sense of facetiousness morph into referring to myself as a "sovereign state") Which, in fact, I consider myself.
No joke. I am a state with borders (which I defend) and a constitution and a Head of State.
Ask me about that, Mr. Glock.
Sam
G'day my friend,
"Define your terms, you will permit me again to say, or we shall never understand one another...” ~ Voltaire
Perhaps you could help Glock, (and those "libertarians", and maybe even one "individual secessionist"), understand "how one becomes a Sovereign state", if you would define for him, separately, simply, and clearly, the terms "Sovereign" and "state".
For example: individual secessionist
individual adjective ▸existing or considered separately from other people
secessionist noun ▸ one who has seceded, i.e. withdrawn from membership in a group, which, in my case, is man-made governments.
STATISM is the belief that you require permission to be free.
OK, my dear friend Suv:
"Sovereign" is the (state of) belief that subject requires NO PERMISSION from ANYBODY to be free.
"State" is a defined territory with borders and boundaries, subject to the defense of the sovereign.
Since I've long since seceded from trust of dead statists such as men named Webster, you will find these to be my own definitions.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
Sam
Thank you, Samarami. See that, Glock, he's a "defined territory", and not an human being that's why we were confused.
That's a very interesting quote today, isn't it?
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." ~ Voltaire
Freedom is an absurdity to those who deep down inside fear freedom. I'm convinced that applies to far, far more "libertarians" than meets the eye.
Just sayin'.
Sam
Not sure that it's freedom they fear, Sam, it's the personal responsibility that necessarily accompanies political freedom that's fearful.
Agreed, Suv. And, since many of us lean toward perfectionism (often without understanding the nature of the problem), that "personal responsibility" accompanying freedom can be the source of subconscious and ongoing feelings of guilt.
"...There must yet be something I'm missing! I've got to do more! I'm not free, because (fill in the blank)! So and so gave up his government permission to operate a truck (CDL) and I haven't had the balls (sorry, ladies) -- oh, my! I must find other employment! Or I won't truly be free! So and so must be freer than I..." etc etc etc
My ongoing mantra (incorporated in the constitution of my sovereign state) is that I want to be open to new information and change where perceived necessary. Indeed, that's where forums such as STR come in. But I may not achieve perfect liberty all at once -- just good old freedom to have my own President and/or Prime Minister or Senator (if that's what I want) without allowing the naysayers to have emotional power over me.
Because that's what naysayers seem to lust after.
The term "Free Thinker" comes to mind, but I tend to avoid that one simply because too often I find it associated with atheism -- which is just another superstition or religion in my book. I could be wrong about that. I was once, you know. I should limit that judgmental term "superstition/religion" to evangelical atheism -- where the doubter, or believer in atheism, seems driven to incessantly fly in the face of religionists out of some need for legitimacy.
It's a fun ride with few takers.
Sam
"I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself." ~ Aldous Huxley