End the War on Freedom

From a book of poems by Kabir, don't remember which one:

From survivalarts:

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life." -- Winston Churchill

From root:

"When I came out of prison--for some one interfered, and paid that tax--I did not perceive that great changes had taken place on the common, such as he observed who went in a youth and emerged a gray-headed man; and yet a change had come to my eyes come over the scene--the town, and State, and country, greater than any that mere time could effect. I saw yet more distinctly the State in which I lived. I saw to what extent the people among whom I lived could be trusted as good neighbors and friends; that their friendship was for summer weather only; that they did not greatly propose to do right; that they were a distinct race from me by their prejudices and superstitions, as the Chinamen and Malays are that in their sacrifices to humanity they ran no risks, not even to their property; that after all they were not so noble but they treated the thief as he had treated them, and hoped, by a certain outward observance and a few prayers, and by walking in a particular straight though useless path from time to time, to save their souls. This may be to judge my neighbors harshly; for I believe that many of them are not aware that they have such an institution as the jail in their village." -- Henry David Thoreau

# Sean Delonas at the New York Post - Was it good for you? - cartoon commentary on Michael Moore's relations with the Democrat Party. Cruel, but hilarious. [trt-ny]

# Richard Seaman - First Flight of SpaceShipOne into Space - nice pictures!

# Doug Newman at Strike the Root - America Is Not a Free Country - an Independence Day screed. Please don't call it the Fourth of July. Remember what we're celebrating, our independence from a tyrannical government. Today we need to win independence from another tyrannical government... [saltypig]

In a free country, you would only be punished if you inflicted physical harm on somebody else. Rick Stanley would never have been arrested and Martha Stewart would be a free woman. Randy Weaver's wife and son would still be alive. The Branch Davidians would be living in peace on the outskirts of Waco. Non-violent drug offenders would not waste away in prison, while convicted rapists and murderers went free.

...

So there you have it.

America is not a free country.

I know, I know, I know: I can vote this November and I can write this essay without fear of punishment. And, no, there are no death camps yet.

However, if this country continues on its present course, one day I will be imprisoned for dissing the FEDGOV and there will be death camps.

The incineration of 80 innocent people by the FEDGOV at Waco in 1993 was a trial balloon floated before a brainwashed nation. Grotesquely excessive forced was used for no good reason, and millions of Americans derisively giggled at "that cult." When they came for the Davidians, we did not say anything because we were not Davidians.

# Tom Buchanan - CO State Rep. Leslie Michaels Tarred and Feathered! - an April Fools Day piece from 2001. We need these to happen for real in capital cities across America. [stanleyscoop]

# Elias Alias at The Mental Militia - Farenheit 911, First Reflections - I have great respect for Mr. Alias. His review almost convinced me to go to the theater now instead of waiting for the video. Almost. We're going to Spider-Man 2 this weekend. [lrtdiscuss]

But Michael Moore has shown that he is willing to learn, is willing to go beyond the smoke and mirrors of governmental lies and deceptions; therefore, Michael Moore shall, sooner or later, most possibly, come to see the anarchist's perspective on government. I hope he is still capable of making documentaries as fine as Farenheit 911 at that time.

But, despite my less-than-enthusiastic opinion of Michael Moore, one thing caused me to decide to see the movie right away. That one thing was the radio talk-show blitz which attacked Michael Moore. Radio shows intensely attacked him instead of attacking the facts contained within the film.

Apparently, the radio talk-show hosts who blasted Moore in every way during the week prior to the show's opening simply do not know how to handle the material Michael Moore has just dished up for public consumption. They went mad, wildly veering and careening through the turns and spins of main-stream media death-blows, trying everything, ever dirty trick, every fraud of logic, every challenge to one's senses, to destroy Michael Moore, in hopes, I'd guess, that by destroying Moore they could thereby cancel the truths he has now given the American public.

One dude with a talk-radio show, (I can't recall his name and hope to never chance upon his ridiculous show again, a real cheerleader named "Beck" or something), was blasting Michael Moore for being 'fat', and excitedly announced to American listeners that Michael Moore was NOT "Mainstream". He actually said that. I could hear the fear in his voice when he said it, as he repeated it again and again, as he sought to convince listeners to *not* believe Michael Moore.

That was all it took to pique my interest. If shallow-minded talk-show audio-goons were so adamant that nobody should go see the film, of course I had to go. So I figured what the heck, Michael Moore must be learning a thing or two, and Lordy knows there is precious little other sign of liberty-fighting going on within America right now, so I pitched my ante into the ring, bought the ticket, and witnessed the film to see what Moore is willing to share with the American public.

I went. I saw. I remain in awe.

...

What is to talk about with one's neighbor after seeing this film?

There are a number of things discussable which our beloved national press has somehow managed to downplay or ignore altogether, of course. But for me the most significant item of interest which could be bought for the price of a movie ticket is the abundance of film-clips showing the Bush family enjoying life atop the global power pyramid with the Saudi Royal Family and with, of all people on earth, the Saudi Bin Laden Family. How brightly do their eyes illumine their wealth-grabbing glee!

That, and the proposition, which I'll bring to the fore here and now, that this Farenheit 911 documentary has just cost Bush Junior the coming election. (Providing of course that there *is* an election in November.)

# John R. Lott and Eli Lehrer - Add Gun Control To Litany Of Misbegotten Gov't Plans - some statistics from England and Australia showing that less guns equals more crime. [scopeny]

# John Nichols at The (Wisconsin) Capital Times - Pampered Bush meets a real reporter - commentary on the interview King Georgey faced when he was in Ireland. [root]

After the interview was done, a Bush aide told the Irish Independent newspaper that the White House was concerned that Coleman had "overstepped the bounds of politeness."

As punishment, the White House canceled an exclusive interview that had been arranged for RTE with first lady Laura Bush.

Did Coleman step out of line? Of course not. Watch the interview (it's available on the www.rte.ie Web site [in RealVideo]) and you will see that Coleman was neither impolite nor inappropriate. She was merely treating Bush as European and Canadian journalists do prominent political players. In Western democracies such as Ireland, reporters and politicians understand that it is the job of journalists to hold leaders accountable.

The trouble is that accountability is not a concept that resonates with our president. The chief executive who gleefully declares that he does not read newspapers cannot begin to grasp the notion that journalists might have an important role to play in a democracy. And, if anything, the hands-off approach of the White House press corps has reinforced Bush's conceits.

# Gunfyter at The High Road - Letter to al-Qa'ida - a forwarded message from "a Marine officer on the Iraqi warfront with Jihadistan", warning the animals threatening to behead a fellow marine. [highroad]

I see that you have captured a U.S. Marine, and that you plan to cut off his head if your demands are not met. Big mistake. Before you carry out your threat I suggest you read up on Marine Corps history. The Japanese tried the same thing on Makin Island and in a few other places during World War Two, and came to regret it. Go ahead and read about what then happened to the mighty Imperial Army on Tarawa, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They paid full price for what they did, and you will too.

# Garry Reed, The Loose Cannon Libertarian - Good Golly Ms Molly - a rant against Milly Ivins' proposal for "clean money" in elections. Ha!

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