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And So, My Fellow Americans: Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You ………
And So, My Fellow Americans: Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You ………
For a few months now, I've been sensing a shifting vibration in the comment section of ZH and it’s something I wanted to talk about. There’s a growing undercurrent of inevitable defeat and resignation in the air and if nothing else, we need to be aware of and acknowledge it. I suspect some of it has to do with the very nature of Zero Hedge, which has a single minded focus; to expose the ugly underbelly of the beast and its various assorted minions, lackeys, stooges and front men. So the range of comments that are "on topic" will obviously be narrower (and a bit more negative) than a standard financial news blog or a general interest news site. This is to be expected. Tyler, Marla and the rest of the crew set the beat and we dance to the tune.
In addition, the invited contributors are guests of Zero Hedge and pretty much stay within the Zero Hedge theme, though poor Leo gets beat up for being realistic (some would say optimistic) in his assessment that the rocket fueled market rise isn’t over. I can't speak for the others but my sense of social grace demands that I not burden or embarrass my host by singing off key. After Tyler invited me to contribute and Marla showed me the house, my primary question was "What were the house rules"? Marla said that other than the obvious, meaning no loud parties, keep my feet of the coffee table and use a coaster under my glass, there really were no rules. The ultimate judge of whether an article is off base would be the reception it receives on ZH. She wouldn't need to run me out of town if I bombed or went off the reservation because the ZH community would do it for her. Fair enough. But this is a financial blog and I’ve often wondered where the line is between inbounds and out.
With that in mind and with sufficient rope in hand to hang myself, I’d like to start a new dialogue. There seems to be a growing survivor’s vibe on ZH that has ballooned as the stock market rise has continued in defiance of all known laws of gravity. There’s quite a bit of anticipation that the bubble’s going to blow soon and it's going to be ugly when it does. And while everyone doesn’t subscribe to this perspective, in my view we seem to be developing a herd mentality that is narrowing our focus and tolerance for contrary views. Considering this is a contrary blog, we’re becoming somewhat intolerant of contrary views. In my humble opinion these are warning signs, and this was the reason I decided to post my "How To Start A Populist Movement In Under Three Minutes" article. My intent was to break up the music mix and spin some new tunes. And as always, I wanted to spark discussion and debate.
The response was great, with many jumping in and providing intelligent and thoughtful feedback, proving once again that the real value and hidden treasure of ZH is in the comments section. In fact, there appears to be a movement growing already, with many discussing the idea of a one page synopsis of the top issues we're facing that can be quickly distributed to friends and community. This was an excellent example of proactive thinking rather than reactive, of positive instead of negative; a sign of healthy community discourse. In fact, there was an wonderful comment posted by "Bob" that I would like to (in part) repost because it deserves closer attention. He (assuming Bob is a he) brings up a valid point and something I was hoping to see. Bob said....
"I'm pleased to see this question addressed. My perception of the ZH commenter community's evolution from the beginning to now is that the herd here has developed ever more sophisticated rationales, analyses, arguments and proofs, excuses, etc., for fatalistic surrender to impotence in the face of the criminal mass clusterfuck by the banksters and their minions. This strikes me lately as the perfect soil for a non-movement . . . a potential crop that just never germinated. If I were a NSA psy-ops guy, I can see that clever passivity would be a great thing to cultivate as cool enlightenment. I would indeed like to see something different here, however."
Further down, in response to some back and forth commenting, Bob makes another valid point. He says……
“I do understand the math, B9K9, but I don't understand sitting back. That posture may be good for the individual, but the larger community (it seems to me) deserves more from the people who are most knowledgeable--meaning much of the ZH readership--than for us to circle our wagons and simply await the fireworks together. I understand the odds of it making any difference, but it strikes me as throwing in the towel. Do I have an active alternative to offer? Not in cyberspace, I'm afraid.”
The focus of my articles and comments, particularly since I was invited to be a contributor, has been to see the bigger picture, to look within the mind as well as over the hill, to see beyond the single minded perspective of “the one” and gain the perspective of the many. If we were to dogmatically follow a path of strict self interest in our thinking and actions, the community as a whole, whether in cyberspace or in earth space, would rapidly disintegrate into a narcissistic naval gazing self centered hell hole.
In my view, Bob quite eloquently challenged us to see not only that we need to move beyond the self, the ego, but that we must do so, that it is our obligation as members of this community to reach out to others and return far more than we consume. He’s talking about the selfless impulse of community service in whatever form it may take. Bob is challenging us to put our money where our mouth is and do something rather than just talk about it. His comments certainly hit home with me. While my message has been consistent, I’ve been timid and hesitant, reluctant to push any harder than to drop ideas and concepts here and there and see what germinates. As I said earlier, some of that has to do with my position as a guest. But that doesn’t mean I couldn’t do more.
So are we just sitting around, waiting for Armageddon to arrive to prove us correct in our assessment? Are we endlessly discussing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin while congratulating each other on how refined our analysis is? I don't mean to be harsh or critical. ZH is by far the best blog I've ever seen, with an active community of dedicated contributors and posters of obvious high intelligence, open mindedness and tolerance for contrary views and opinions. The community is the icing on the cake Tyler, Marla and company serve up piping hot on a daily basis. Hands down, we have a great community.
But where are we going and what will our contribution be to the community outside of ZH if we’re correct and the world is headed for a very painful awakening? What if it doesn’t? We talk all the time about the sleepwalking masses. I published two articles titled "End of Empire" which obviously speaks to where I think things are headed, though I expect the unwinding to be agonizingly slow as the vampire powers extract every last ounce of blood from the body, eventually killing it’s energy source. But what am I doing about it? How am I preparing myself and my community for what I see coming? If you think this thing through, if the veins and arteries of this nation become clogged, not only will the nation as a whole suffer greatly but the communities where we live will be impacted as well.
I found myself thinking the other day that my America, the one I grew up with and took for granted, was missing in action, AWOL, gone and seemingly never to return. And I wondered what had happened. Why wasn’t someone doing something about this? Where were the responsible people? Where did “we” go wrong? How could we have let these bastards steal that which is most important to each and everyone one of us, our identity, our national soul, our presence. It feels like someone snuck in during the night and took the very essence of America. Then I realized that this essence isn’t static or stationary, that it can’t be formed into a box or tin can which is then placed on a shelf for easy retrieval when needed. It’s much more than that.
My body is not the same “body” I possessed a month ago. Most of my cells have been replaced or repaired and technically I’m not the same person I was. But obviously I am the same. This seamless transition occurs because my essence (some would say my soul) is passed from one cell to the next, with both old and new cells acting in concert to maintain and possibly improve the whole, the entity of which each cell is a part of. The continuity provided by my consciousness ensures that my essence isn’t lost as my component parts are repaired and replaced.
Thinking this through to its logical conclusion, a deep sadness fell over me as I recognized that at some point I had failed to pass on America’s essence to the next person, the next citizen, that I was in fact AWOL, not America. America is exactly what you would expect her to be after decades of neglect and disinterest, of constant use without renewal. I looked into the belly of the beast and that beast was me. If I had been upholding my end of the bargain, these bastards would not have been able to do as much damage as they’ve done. I’m not shouldering all of the blame, only my fair share of this mess. I’m not asking us to walk a self destructive path of endless guilt and despair, only that we do an honest self assessment of our own responsibilities and (in) action and then move the ball forward.
America isn’t a land mass located in the Northern Hemisphere between the Pacific and Atlantic. America isn’t 350 million people who live within its boundaries nor is it a government drifting dangerously close to a rocky shoal in uncharted waters. America is none of these things. America is an idea, a concept, a state of mind, the cumulative product of the collective consciousness of not only its inhabitants, but of the 6.6 billion humans who live outside its borders. Which means America can renew and rebuild as quickly as we wish, for the reality of this renewal can materialize as quickly as our imagination can create it. We can change everything in an instant if that is our wish.
For example, I can instantly decide I no longer wish to be angry with my son for some silliness he may be guilty of. It’s me, and me only, who can decide at this very moment that I would rather love and hold him tight than spend another minute angry about something of no consequence. This conscious decision, not anything my son did or didn’t do, is the spark that creates the change that then effortlessly materializes. No one “makes” me angry, sad, glad or frustrated. It’s always my choice, my decision, what my reaction or perspective will be, regardless of outside influences. I decide what state of mind I possess and what will be presented to the world from one moment to the next. To blame anything or anyone else for my state of mind is nothing more than blame shifting and the ultimate in self deception. The same applies to all of us; to that state of mind we call America. This is our center, our energy source, where our true power originates. It can never be taken from us, only given away because we’re either ignorant that we posses it or tricked into believing it doesn’t exist at all.
The American renewal could begin in an instant if only we make the conscious decision. When done, it would quickly be followed by the fleeing sorcerers and magicians. It’s so deceptively simple that it remains incomprehensible. The powers-that-be have tricked us to believe that only they possess the power to change what we see. So while fully armed but convinced we are defeated, we hand over our power and turn back to our bleating. The powers may appear to be supremely arrogant, but they’re also aware that the time bomb is ticking. They’re more frightened of us than we are of them and the evidence of this is in their preparations for the end.
While there are always a thousand and one reasons not to do something and sometimes just one or two in favor, the consensus roadblock to change is awareness and self-actualization, brought about through organization. Here is a brief excerpt from the book “Here Comes Everybody: The Power Of Organizing Without Organizations” by Clay Shirky.
“For most of modern life, our strong talents and desires for group effort have been filtered through relatively rigid institutional structures because of the complexity of managing groups. We haven’t had all the groups we’ve wanted, we’ve simply had the groups we could afford. The old limits of what unmanaged and unpaid groups can do are no longer in operation. The difficulties that keep self assembled groups from working together are shrinking, meaning that the number and kinds of things groups can get done without financial motivation or managerial oversight are growing. The current change in one sentence is this. Most of the barriers to group action have collapsed and without these barriers we are free to explore new ways of gathering together and getting things done.”
For thousands of years, each successive generation of the powerful have perfected the techniques and methods used to distract, deflect or destroy populist movements that have a dynamic leader. And the belief is that movements cannot exist without a leader. The failed populist movements of the past 50 years of American history are perfect examples of this. The labor, anti-war and minority movements of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were subverted from within or by execution. The same can be said with the political assassinations by the state of JFK, RFK and MLK, to name just a few. To think that such overwhelming forces could be subverted by a leader of a nascent movement is pure folly. You do not attempt to meet head on any forces that are overwhelming. But, what keeps the powerful up at night is precisely the opposite, a leaderless movement that can’t be appeased, divided or decapitated. And since the mechanisms of communication for leaderless organizations are now a central part of the economies of the world, the tools we can use to create this movement can’t be taken from us without crippling the powerful as well. Power to the people now has a new and more powerful context in which to germinate and bloom.
A very famous line from John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address of January 20, 1061 has been rattling around in my head for weeks. Kennedy was attempting to tap into the soul and creative spirit of America with his signature speech, and he continued this theme during his tragically short presidency. JFK was not only trying to wake a sleeping giant, he was doing something far more dangerous to the entrenched powers-that-be. He was attempting to transfer power back to Americans by inspiring Americans. He was showing us that we can, that we should, that we are in fact obligated and responsible as citizens of this nation to give more than we receive. Most importantly, he was telling us with actions and words that by doing so; we grow stronger both individually and collectively. This is a concept we take for granted when dealing with our families, but we’ve forgotten it’s also our responsibility and reward as citizens of this nation and our community. We complain that we’re called consumers rather than citizens. Do we deserve to consider ourselves citizens? Do we honor the concept of citizenship with little more than our rhetoric?
So with apologies to Tyler and Marla if I'm breaking the house rules and in the spirit of the season of spring renewal, I’d like to ask the ZH community what we think each of us might do to move the ball forward. Short of moving into an underground bunker with a stash of dehydrated food and emergency supplies of Playboy magazine (or Playgirl for our female contingent) if or when the breakdown comes, we'll still be living in our community and thus we'll need to make do with what's in place at that time. What can we do on a local, regional or national level that will improve our lot in life as a community and as a nation, now or later? How can we organize without leaders? As far as I’m concerned, anything goes and no comment should be shouted down as silly because quite frankly, we really have no idea how this will play out.
As inspiration, below please find Kennedy's inaugural speech in its entirety. Ready.....Set......Go!
Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning—signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe—the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage—and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge—and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do—for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom—and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required—not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge—to convert our good words into good deeds—in a new alliance for progress—to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support—to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective—to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak—and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course—both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.
So let us begin anew—remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms—and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah—to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."
And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again—not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are—but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"—a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.
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I have seen plenty of examples of people who have been dormant in the fifth stage (acceptance) for a long time to finally rise up to the occasion. It may take a sudden revelation or some important event in their personal lives, such as loss of the last hope they have been clinging to, but it happens.
Human nature is more complex, and I would say more exciting, than what these five stages suggest.
very nice, but none of you seem to understand what Glaucus is really saying.
States serve one purpose and one purpose ONLY. to protect and leverage the ability of psychopaths to prey on non-psychopaths.
its not about voting out the bastards. its about DE-legitimizing any group that claims to have some right to coerce you or "tax" you.
the State is the greatest hoax ever played on humanity... still today, only 1 in 10,000 see through it. that is the real struggle.
understand perfectly what Glaucus said.
America = the State, the Empire, the Bully, the Uncle Knows Best, the Pyramid scheme
america = the ideal, the beautiful, the inexplicable reason why people from all over the world have & continue to come to these shores to live their lives & raise their families.
the question i continue to chew on is can america survive America & if so how? i have a feeling that the road to the answer leads through the Reservations, but that's me.
I suspect that in the final analysis america will prove to be much stronger and more resilient than America could ever hope to be. Which is why folks continue to not only flock to our shores, but remain.
winner
Dude,
I wasn't agreeing, I was correcting velobabe's assertion that the third step was acceptance. It is the fifth step.
CD - I greatly appreciate your attempt to change the rhetoric on this site. I was introduced to ZH a few months ago, and hope that my various posts helped to encourage discussion. It is clear that many opinions, mine included, have gone unheard.
I always welcome a critical view of my (and others) opinions and views, because once we see where we may fault, we can grow. It is a brave post you have here, and I'm not sure what the reaction will be in this community. It is interesting that JFK's famous speech would be welcomed and beloved by many "tea partiers" today (in my opinion), and that it was a Democrat who uttered the words so many years ago (considering how much the party has changed since those times).
I must say that I see many major faults in our current monetary/economic system, and the word oligarchy does come to mind. I see many examples of kleptocracy at the top end, but surely there are examples of many smaller, regional banks who are doing good work (or not?). I think the question, in my mind, is whether we wish to continue the system as is in hopes of "stability" (although it is clear many here believe it is very unstable), or if we would rather have something far more "free" but unherently unstable (in the short term). The debt-backed system we live in surely smooths out short-term economics, with the rare, but very shaking, debt-contractions we are currently seeing. Another interesting issue with "debt-slavery" is that a majority of the populace believes it is wealthier, and thus, freer, than they really are. Perhaps that is not a terrible thing, because great violence can occur at the hands of those that feel persecuted (read: french revolution).
It is certain, in my mind, that a free people is the best medicine in all cases, but what if the cost to such freedom is the very stability that we have come to enjoy? Provocative, yes, but worth considering. I do not know the answer.
Anyway, long, rambling reply, but in short, thank you for your questions to the ZH community. It matters, to me, at least.
Outstanding article CD. We all needed a call to action. I don't know about the rest of the ZH community but my view of the world has been downright depressing this last year or so.
Seriously, I am the most positive person I know but I find myself slipping into despair when viewing the fate of the USA.
The one thing that the USA still has is the constitution. She may have been trampled on and is a little frayed but she it still holding on.
These midterm elections are going to be critical and I have a feeling that many incumbents are going to be replaced. One piece of positive action we can all do is to emphasize to the current candidates that we expect them to adhere to the constitution and the intent of our founding fathers if they get elected.
My guess is that the Republicans will win back many seats, but if they carry on with "spending as usual," the union will be lost.
The new crop of candidates must know BEFORE they get elected that we expect spending cuts, low taxes and small government. They must know that we are prepared to withstand the withdrawl DT's to wean our nation from its addiction to debt.
both parties are 'in the game'.
"Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day. But a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period, and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly proves a deliberate systematic plan of reducing us to slavery." - Thomas Jefferson
Its called 'globalization' and American workers aren't invited only the bankers, their minions and the military.
Sounds like somebody "gets it". The two party system is a game. Globalism has been alive and well since the first jobs were outsourced by the Sumerians and Egyptians.
It's ALL about cheap labor by pretending to fail, pretending to be against things you're for (illegal immigration etc). Wall St has never not loved socialism.
The only thing I know for certain is this whole show (read: world) is engineered by TPTB.
I'm not taking part; I won't go into debt and I won't be a "consumer". I choose to live free from fear, I would rather live in a sand hut with nothing rather than be a slave to the things which surround me.
Interesting piece. Obama has beaten the entire nation into submission.
Huh? By doing what, exactly? We've seen the rise of corporatism since, well, forever. Eisenhower warned us. There is money to be made. The prior administration decided that there was power to be gained in fomenting endless war on no actual enemy. Obama hasn't been able to stand up to the bankers, but "beaten ... into submission"?!? bizarre
Thanks for saying what had to be said. If Obama could actually do that in a year and some few months he is a lot more powerful than any of us thought. It has taken 50 years to reach this point. To give credit/blame to one measly president is the height of thoughtlessness.
Oh, never mind....
No, you have that backwards, it's the idiots and fools who voted for the illegal alien Kenya born Indonesian one termer junior senator ACORN community organizer, election heavily financed by Wall Streeter, wife disbarred by Illinois Supreme Court and whose salarey tripled when he became Senator — no xppt, you have it backwards — a nation of drooling flouride drinking idiots and fools is what has me demoralized and looking for a new country in which to permanently reside.
Swamp, if you are not one the many coolaid drinkers, then you are one of the road signs we need see. Any other country will have the deaf,dumb and blind also. I am used to being alone and an outsider.
Sounds like we need a get together of awake wise ones. Bring a beard and tin hat.
don't drink tap water, chlorine, is pretty hard, on living organisms too. a little daily meditation, has an excellent return on investment. anything the mind can conceive, and believe, can be achieved. our potential, is only beginning to be realized.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/04/obamas-17-minute-2500-word-r...
except it's not the 13th round yet
Pretty much. And so as not to be political, Bush started it. I am suffering from mental fatigue over the whole issue. This is why there will inevitably be major violence. When the sheeple wake up, they will not be happy. I don't know who flagged this, but it succinctly sums up our predicament.
Look at what violence is permitted to happen, though.
Any violence that poses a legitimate threat to governance is destroyed. Random "minority" rioting? They let that proceed and maybe disarm the populace before and during and after.
So if a bunch of white people start rioting, expect tanks. And they will shoot. And if the cops get shot, they'll call the military and they will shoot too. All their commanders have to do is finger YOU as the enemy and they will kill you. They will send 30mm ordnance onto you and a group of photographers and laugh about it and hope you get up so they can shoot you again.
I truly appreciate your feelings along this subject as I have been wringing my hands over what it is I can do to alert friends, family and countrymen to the incredible criminality that has besieged our land and the idea of America since the day I was born.
I can understand the frustration you may have with the whole lot who talk a good and educated game but have no real power to do anything about it. For instance...
The media is bought and paid for nowadays, so any sort of stray off the reservation is immediately met with recoil from the masses about "tin-foil hats" and "conspiracy theorist wackos." The people know we are all tinkling with a couple of screws loose because the very same media tells them so.
In your statement, you say, "For thousands of years, each successive generation of the powerful have perfected the techniques and methods used to distract, deflect or destroy populist movements that have a dynamic leader. And the belief is that movements cannot exist without a leader." That much is true. And it is also true that, given the proper light on the crimes of the powerful over the centuries has revealed the slimy underbelly of our existence as human beings. With that, people seek toward godliness, revolt and start over afresh with a sense of enlightenment until the new sense of entitlement rears its ugly face again and the process starts anew.
The difference here is that our "leaders" now have tools that can evaporate our homes on a whim; devices that can see through walls; listen to our conversations digitally from miles away and even machines that can set us on fire from a distance of three-quarters of a mile.
Jim Morrison said Five-to-One, baby. One in five. No one here gets out a live. They got the guns but we got the numbers...
The guns are a lot bigger than they were even thirty years ago. The media is in cahoots with the Bilerberger agenda and it is nothing for these people to wipe out three steel structures full of human beings by simply flipping a switch.
In all deference to President Kennedy, for it was he who was the last leader to try to stop it but his driver blew the side of his head off right in front of his wife, God and everybody else. Last time I checked, no one said a word about it.
Prithee, what the fuck are we supposed to do about that?
Goddammit, that's the kind of distraction that's gonna make it hours for me to get through these comments. Had to google Kennedy Driver. First time I ever heard that one. Prithee, what the fuck am I supposed to do about that? Do I need to add a snark tag? Caause I'm just pullin yer leg. :-)
Orly, 9/11 is still not in the open. It was explosives.
I thought a trip to DC was needed. I almost went,and may still end up going. Advice from fellow responders and the needs of my partner has kept me home so far. My grandchild and son motivate me . I am an unwitting party to the theft of their future.
Citizen militias. Know what it means and know why the founding fathers said we MUST be an armed citizenry. The militia used to be a highly respected concept; after all, they beat one of the most powerful empires the earth had ever known. Now, the media and public perception of the citizen militia is that they are a joke. Sad, really.
So, how could a citizen militia win back our freedom IF it ever comes down to that? There are 200 million firearms owned by ~100 million citizens. Probably, most are conservative and, probably, most are pissed off. In addition, all the years of imperialism spawned an unintended consequence: a very large number of highly trained, ex-military civilians. On the other hand, we have about 3 million in our volunteer military and police force. How many of those will melt away when ordered to fire on civilians? Many, not all though. Ever studied how difficult it is to occupy a country the size of the U.S.? It is a logistics nightmare and is completely impossible. The very best the U.S. military, loyal to the current president, could do is control some urban centers. The rural areas, forget it. Most of our food is grown rurally, and he who controls the food...
We have a very real hope, IF it ever really comes down to absolute Totalitarianism. Practice the 2nd Amendment, it's not about hunting and loving to shoot, it was written because tyranny surfaces time and time again.
In my post below, one of the things I am doing to be a 'builder' is to pass on the concept of 'America' to my children, teaching them about the founding documents and teaching them about down-to-earth, quiet, well-armed citizen militias. The MSM is wrong; the concept is not freakish, though they try hard to make it look that way. Whatever proaction means to you, it IS action.
Here is a great primer to start the ball rolling on a talk regarding world governments with your children:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVYxGG8albs
.
The militia is not, and as far as I am concerned never was, a "highly respected concept." Washington fought the Brits with regulars, supplemented with militia. (The militia did, however, acquit itself very well at the remarkably brutal battle of Bunker Hill, even though it was a loss; Nathaniel Greene famously said afterwards: "I wish we could sell them another hill at the same price.")
Militia musters were sometimes boistrous and rowdy affairs. Discipline in the unorganized militia was lacking. Washington, having taken command of the Continental Army outside Boston, wrote soon after in a private letter:
"As we have now nearly compleated our lines of defense, we [have] nothing more, in my opinion, to fear from the enemy, provided we can keep our men to their duty and make them watchful and vigilant. But it is among the most difficult tasks I ever undertook in my life to induce these people to believe that there is, or can be, danger till the bayonet is pushed at their breasts."
"There have been so many great and capital errors and abuses to rectify, so many examples to make, and so little inclination in the officers of inferior rank to contribute their aid to accomplish this work, that my life has been nothing else (since I came here) but one continued round of annoyance and fatigue. In short, no pecuniary recompense could induce me to undergo what I have..."
The militia brought something, though, that regulars lacked: rifled long arms, and the skill to kill with them at extended distances. This skill was often called upon; sometimes used to deny the enemy use of their heavy ordinance by shooting gun crews, but more often than not the riflemen had a simple penchant for shooting British officers from their horses, something the Brits complained bitterly about during this war and the War of 1812.
This skill with long arms was a powerful if not deciding factor.
The result for Washington if memory serves was to accept the offer of assistance from Baron Von Steuben who authored The Blue Book and transformed the Army at Valley Forge and later assisted with the transformation of the Army.
http://www.ushistory.org/valleyforge/served/steuben.html
http://appleseedinfo.org/
+10
Public perception, at that time, saw the militia as a 'reserve' necessity, much as we see a fire department or police force as necessities now. As such, the militia concept was respectable then; not today.
But in their role in the American Revolution, you are right. The members of the Continental Army did most of the fighting, but there were many in the militia who stayed the course along side the regulars.
Our founding fathers understood that a good government was limited and 'respected' an armed citizenry. This government will try to find a way to disarm us.
Take a look at that Wikileaks FOIA video right here on ZH.
Do YOU wanna fight that shit? I'd personally rather leave and go to a country not infested by the almighty dollar.
Just think, when the militias stir up some shit and a couple cops get killed, they will bring the jackboot down HARD. If you want to be standing in a crowd holding a "weapon" when an Apache is circling, and end up on a future FOIA disclosure, by all means.
I'd rather cash everything out and move.
Nobody wants to die, but everybody will eventually. It's sad and scary to watch people get cut in half by remote control. Fear propaganda works. However, you must remember that it works equally well against the elite. Being a billionaire is great, as long as the probability of being a dead billionaire is negligible. 800 billionaires will change their behavior VERY QUICKLY when 1 billionaire is found hanging from a lamp post.
The Apaches will probably wipe out some "extremists" before it's said and done, but the following principles will apply nonetheless:
* You can't kill an idea
* You can't squeeze blood from a stone
* Absolute power corrupts absolutely
You know those wing nut militia guys in the Midwest? THEY'RE THE SAME PEOPLE WHO JOIN THE ARMED FORCES. You may want to start being a little smarter about this before the tides turn. Whiny-assed liberal finance types are first up against the wall.
Don't congregate in groups,
Don't form groups, form nests that teach independence
Don't work for BIG G.
Ask for payment and make payment in gold, silver, local currency or time credits, it takes away their power centre.
Deny ALL debt offerings.
Live within your means.
Befriend and educate a soldier or policeman or government employee (TEACHERS IN PARTICULAR) of their true role, re the constitution and about real constitutional money.
As VK iterated on the Automatic Earth site, understand and explain the process of "Indentured Slavery", inherent in debt. It IS a MUST READ article, posted yesterday.
Turn your back on big business, big banking, and big government. We are indentured slaves to those three monoliths.
Organize locally.
Promote another article by CD.
CD, if you read this, perhaps you can make available in the comments section of your next article, a series of Solution Input sub-headings or comment areas, that people with thoughts in a particular area, can contribute? The comments about various topics of action are strewn over too wide an area to make head nor tails of using this format.
how about in the forum section?
"CD, if you read this, perhaps you can make available in the comments section of your next article, a series of Solution Input sub-headings or comment areas, that people with thoughts in a particular area, can contribute? The comments about various topics of action are strewn over too wide an area to make head nor tails of using this format."
I don't know what this means. I have basically the same way to post articles as you have to post comments (blog word processor) though mine allows posting pictures and other more complex links. Have you seen other contributors using this "Solution Input sub-headings"?
Can you educate me on what this is?
Sorry, to be more specific;
Having written your article, could the comments section be formated into windows(?) that allow the reader to make suggestions under headings that catagorize responses and actions. You might ask for responses under headings such as Protest Strategies, Local action committees, Education, citizenship duties etc. Don't know if that is the way, just a suggestion. As stated below by Tip.E, perhaps a forum entry, but personally, it would be terrific to have it as an immediate reference.
By the way, where has the article been moved to? I can't find it except in "History" on my computer.
trav7777 i thought you were an american! I am german resident alien since 63. I am staying , come what may. Besides i really love where i am.
This is worth dying for
That is exactly what I am talking about. Yeah sure, back in the day, the "well-armed militia" was having a group of neighbors gather their muskets and go over defensive postures in the fields, have the wives cook a nice dinner and go home.
They have amped-up Apache helicopters flown by pilots who have never gotten their hands dirty and 19-year-old amped-up gunners firing shit that literally tears the tires OFF of vans in a matter of three seconds.
How do you say, Trav? Do YOU wanna fight that shit? I'm with ya. There's no way.
And to others who say that the military wouldn't fire on civilians and there would be a mutiny amongst the ranks, I say, "really?" And how do you know that? Psy-ops is a pervasive technique- everybody in uniform gets it. Are you telling me they couldn't find say a thousand brain-washable, high-strung, power-hungry killers amongst them?
Have several of these guys hover over your neighborhood with one of those "choppers" (kind of gives new meaning to the word, doesn't it?) for, you know, crowd control...
Nah. There has to be a better way. As frustrated as I am that my rhetoric has been just that- rhetoric- all these years, it may now be necessary to amp it up myself. I am not talking about going to get me an Apache. No, no. Relax.
I am talking about amping up my own volume, locally. To the people I work with, to my mom, my cousins, my neighbors.
Here's an idea to demonstrate Solidairty: How about if everyone gets themselves a "Don't Tread On Me" flag and hangs it outside their house? Make it yellow.
I already have one. It's been sitting in a box. I feel like "they" would see me and my anononimty would be erased if I shouwed my colors. Well, I am going to take that flag from the box and I am going to take it out and hang it in my yard. On a magnolia tree.
Everyone, get a flag and tell everyone you know of like mind to simply get a flag. They will ask, "Hey, what's with all the flags?" Well, here, have a seat. Let me tell you...
Flags, flags and more flags. We don't feel so alone any more. They country is awash in flags. A company in New Jersey has eight months of back orders.
The powers that be can see the groundswell and begin to even feel it. Sure, they could keep count on the internet but now, even little old ladies who don't own a computer are flying the flag. Think they won't start sweating? Think that is not just the beginning?
I guess, CD, that I am mostly tired of feeling alone and "dangerous," a "home-grown terrorist," a "tin-foil hatter" that it does overcome me sometimes. (A lot of the time, actually...) It seems that resistance is futile because no one I know is championing any cause like The Truth besides me.
If there were a more visible groundswell around us, maybe we wouldn't be so quick to feel down.
CHEER UP SISTER!!
Correct me if I'm wrong but you seem to be buying the lies that are being fed to those around you. You know that the MSM is propigating an outright fallacy.
You know that, but let's say, for instance, that your neighbour doesn't.
You may not be able to change her mind about anything, but you can at least get her to examine why she thinks you are a tin-foil loony for thinking that the powers that be are trying to own us.
Maybe all she would need would be a nudge to get her to start asking questions of herself. That is how we light the world, one candle at a time. Again, start with yourself. Don't be afraid. We're with you!
i would like to hang some bankers, now thats a flag needs raisen
I got straightened out real quick after seeing the Nat Guardsman kicking in doors after Katrina. The ABC interviewer caught a kid saying "I really hope I don't have to shoot Americans". Not for looting, mind you, but for refusing to evacuate - and refusing to disarm in their own homes.
I've been wearing my Gadsden t-shirt to rallies and flying my Gadsden flag on my home for over 500 days now. It's a good thing, but it alone will change nothing. In my text, I did not say 'all' would defect (awol) but you underestimate how many will. Finally, Trav and Orly, between death in servitude and death by Apache, I fear the former the most, truly I do..
I stopped living according to my core values. I knew what I was doing was wrong but thought only about myself and thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to.
Tiger Woods
Perhaps he is the leader we are all looking for.
Or... perhaps not.
Great piece CD!
I have finally broken thorough to my Mom and my boss (2 different people) about gold and silver.
We will survive!
A song for the FedRes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=596qaxm-u4o
oh now go
Walk out the door
Just turn around now
your not welcomed anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to break me with desire
Did you think I'd crumble
Did you think I'd lay down and die
Oh no, not I
I will survive
I dont disagree with Leo that the rocket fueled fake rally can go higher, in fact apparently when unemployment reaches 50%, the DOW will reach the 247,000 level. Its all fake and driven by propaganda and phony accounting, so who knows how far as it can go up? The sky is apparently the limit.
The disagreements and irritation that I have with someone like Leo is based on the fact that it all SHOULDN'T be, and warning that while it may go up another 100 point or 5,000 points doesn't much matter when the banksters feel some kind of pinch in some area and need another 'collapse' to set up short for. At that point of course with no warning, who will buy those bubble shares that Leo and others are holding? The trading is already thin, FED apparently being the only buyer.
So buyer beware, its all fake phony data designed simply as cover to put the 1/2 hour evening news viewing public into a calm Hindu cow status while they ram thru a Marxist agenda. So pump your shares higher Leo and others, fine with me but good luck selling your new dot.com bubble shares when the rug gets pulled next. And please dont give me this line that theyve got it all figured out and Q/E is now the norm quarter after quarter. The only reason for a pump is to dump, whenever they need it.
They can create money ad infinitum to squeeze the shorts with, forcing the Dow to heights that show no nominal losses.
Im not too down with all this 'Yea see they just pump and squeeze shorts for eternity'...what are shorts, idiots? I dont believe theyre getting their action by short squeezes, anyone who can actually short is not such a gulliable rube to fall for that day in and day out.
I'll take the other side of the trade, particularly if one realizes that the Fed's unlimited money injections just might be feeding both sides of the trade.
Ya know what I mean?
That too, CD, (Two farmers repetitively selling a cow to each other at higher prices) and as long as there are gamblers who reckon on being front runners, without the splice into Goldman's mainframe.
Three observations:
1. Agree with AR, long-winded.
2. On the "herd" mentality at ZH: I haven't been here long enough to observe such, but maybe it exists. Personally, I find that my own anecdotal observations closely match that of other posters. If multiple independent thinkers reach similar conclusions, how is that a "herd"? Further, my own course is charted: I'm going to pay off my debts, buy PM and rural land, and stockpile food, clothing, and portable shelter--regardless of what the rest of ZH decides to do.
3. On improving society: The single best way that I can have an immediate positive impact on my community is to not be a burden on that community. I need to be proactive in preparing for future events, be it government collapse or the start of summer. If I utilize personal responsibility to prepare, then I will not be a burden to others.