Guest Post: Yet Another Reminder That Democracy Is An Illusion
Submitted by Simon Black from Sovereign Man
Yet Another Reminder That Democracy Is An Illusion
With over 150 million registered users, the file sharing site MegaUpload.com is one of the most popular on the Internet. At least, it was.
The site has now been seized by the US government and its homepage converted to an FBI anti-piracy warning. Its founder, a high tech entrepreneur named Kim Dotcom (yes, he had it legally changed), was arrested in New Zealand after his homes were raided and assets seized.
These actions were all at the behest of the US government. And it's just the latest example of Big Brother overextending its authority across the entire world.
Last week, we discussed the grassroots efforts to stop passage of the SOPA/PIPA legislation that would give the US government jurisdiction over the Internet. Wikipedia blacked out its English language pages to raise awareness of the issue, and people went completely nuts.
Congress subsequently withdrew the bills amid popular outcry, and the public rejoiced that their efforts successfully thwarted further encroachment on their liberty. Or so they thought.
On the exact same day that everyone was celebrating victory over SOPA/PIPA, the US government simply used another set of regulations to nab Dotcom and seize his assets. The fact that SOPA was scrapped turned out to be completely irrelevant, they just found other rules to apply (or break).
As usual, it's probably not legal. But such technicalities don't matter in the 'guilty until proven innocent' system in which we live. Executive agencies exercise extreme latitude when confiscating assets, and victims often don't have the opportunity to address the matter in front of a judge for years, if ever.
In Dotcom's case, the man probably won't even successfully make it past the extradition process for at least a year... let alone bring the issue to trial. The government is using its bureaucracy to completely circumvent due process and make an example of somebody that they consider a nuisance.
So why should they care? What interest could the US government possibly have in a silly file sharing site? None. But the entertainment industry does.
You see, we don't live in a representative democracy. Democracy is an illusion to make people believe that they're free. Instead, it's blocs of large corporations who are really in control. If the entertainment business wants Kim Dotcom to go away, the government will invent or break any law necessary to make it happen. They're all in bed together.
What's more, it doesn't matter which group or party is in power. Democrat or Republican, Labour or Conservative, Liberal or New Democratic... they're all for sale. Citizens concern themselves with the outcome of elections, investing heavy emotional and financial support for 'their guy'. Companies just wait it out and buy off whichever candidates win.
Kim Dotcom, though a wealthy and successful entrepreneur, was essentially a lone wolf standing against the entire industry. Rather than find ways to work with him in what is clearly emerging as a dominant media platform, they chose to eliminate him... by having the US government send the New Zealand government to arrest him and seize his assets.
It's mind numbing when you really think about it.
Ultimately, Dotcom may successfully find his way back to a normal life after years in court and perhaps some time in jail. In the meantime, though, his case certainly makes a strong argument for flying under the radar. It's a stark reminder that, if they really want to get you, they'll apply, invent, or break whatever laws are necessary to do so.
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They should do that to the FED!
pods
The solution is simple. Don't go to movies and don't buy music. Movies suck and music sucks anyway..
I agree with you on movies but you can buy music direct from most artist's these days. And alot of it doesn't suck.
I download old movies because I'm sure the copyrights have expired. Can you imagine a system where copyright essentially never expires and media works created by long dead individuals provide eternal income for distribution cartels? That would just be crazy.
Not even Ron Paul can save you. The cult of Libertarianism promotes and protects the Corporation. Good luck with that.
Shut your lie-hole. Libertarianism and the corporation are not compatible. The corporation exists explicitly through government intervention. A libertarian regime would no more allow the continued existence of corporations than a Communist one would.
China.
Nice volley.
When Ron Paul tells you that he even wants air traffic controllers to be run by private enterprise, you can get a glimpse of what pure libertarianism produces: an entire country run by corporations who chase nothing more than dollars and profits at the expense of general welfare. If you want to turn America into a corporatocracy with a multitude of oppressive oligarchies, a Ron Paul presidency would be the fastest, surest route. It's amazing that people revolt against our oppressive corporate/banking plutocracy by choosing an ideology which would make it worse.
Max Fischer
It's official, with this latest treasure MDB's belt is under pressure. Unless of course...
it's threatening those academics you love to extoll, isn't it?
What would make it better? Just curious - I'm agnostic.
peace bond
If that's the case, then why do the corporations and kleptocrats hate him so much?
"If you want to turn America into a corporatocracy with a multitude of oppressive oligarchies..."
The Year 2012 just called ... it said "Wake the fuck up and look around you, Max Fischer"
f-ing A.
How do you make the leap to corporations running everything? A private party or partnership caould own an airport, hire air traffic controllers and voila- private enterprise at work.
Of course, you could have what we have now: public corporations (government unions) and private corporations all protected by the police power of the state- creating monopolies and cartels in collusion with each other and the courts look the other way. Oh, that's way better.
It is chasing profits that creates jobs or have you never picked up an econ book? If you would take the time to pluck your left wing out of your ass, you might see it.
"When Ron Paul tells you that he even wants air traffic controllers to be run by private enterprise, you can get a glimpse of what pure libertarianism produces: an entire country run by corporations who chase nothing more than dollars and profits at the expense of general welfare. If you want to turn America into a corporatocracy with a multitude of oppressive oligarchies, a Ron Paul presidency would be the fastest, surest route. It's amazing that people revolt against our oppressive corporate/banking plutocracy by choosing an ideology which would make it worse."
-Bullshit. You commit the logical fallacy that Private enterprise yields more powerful corporations without even realizing that private corporations have to be run by PEOPLE, and that people are accountale for their actions, and they are liable for damages they cause.
If, in the process of prosecuting a person for their liability, their corporation is destroyed, then so be it. That is a fundamental tenant of free markets.
Libertarianism is people above corporations, and personal accountability as the cornerstone of civil societies.
Random Robert gets it right. Electing someoen like Ron Paul is only the beginning.
Once we have constitutional government again, the corporations will be drastically weakened.
And once we have constitutional government, we can amend our constitution - if we so choose - to protect us from corporations if that's what the modern world requires. For instance, there is no statute or court decision that awards corporations the status of "persons" under the law, and deserving of equal protections. That doctrine has a shady and storied history going back to the railroad monopolies and robber barons. Maybe we should make Hillaire Belloc's "The Servile State" required reading for everyone, and then see what kind of "property rights" regime crops up in culture and law - and whether it is as friendly to giant, remote corporations as it is to families.
What, you mean the SOCIALIST Republic that has a mixed market China?
the corporation does no wrong in libertarian speak. It's the government over and over. Have you ever heard Ron Paul blaming the banks by name or otherwise for creating the current crisis?
Precisely. In the last debate, Ron Paul painted the banks as victims of the government, and blamed the government for the entirety of the financial crisis. Do you think that's balanced? Do you think he's deliberately focusing on government issues (of which there are many) and deliberately avoiding corporate/industrial/banking issues? It's not an accident.
You are missing one caveat. Corporations couldn't go to the public trough for assistance when they fuck up. Wrap that into your argument as well.
Under a Libertarian utopia, as envisioned by Ayn Rand and the rest of you sick fucks, corporations won't need the government. Corporation uber alles, bitches. McGovernance.
I'll give you a +1 for putting in "sick fucks" with "Ayn Rand", since that disgusting zionist is as libertarian as your average goose-stepping Latvian SS recruit. But you are way, way off the reservation on the brand of libertarianism as espoused by Dr.Paul. All you have to do is LISTEN to his messages about smaller government, getting rid of the Federal Reserve, the Amerikan Empire/militarism, corporate bailouts, and supporting individual liberty and dignity to know that he is the EXACT OPPOSITE of the corporatism that is so pernicious throughout American society today, and the corporist ideals that you so despise with the rest of us.
Sorry pal, but you have it all wrong. Being a libertarian has more to do with the personal freedom to do whatever we wish and taking personal responsibility for our actions, than corporate freedom and power to do whatever they wish without taking responsibility for the crap they bestow on the rest of us.
You sound more like a Thoreuean anarchist -- which is fine by me.
Thanks. I learn something new every day here. ;)
different flavours, different definitions of "personal liberty" and "personal freedoms."
I don't doubt that there are many flavours. Dr.Paul does have a habit of bringing different people together for a common cause. At the risk of ignoring the flavours I dislike, I stated the obvious antitheses of corporatism. Corporatists always want larger government, and bigger government spending. Dr.Paul is of course the exact opposite.
that's a great response.
I'm just outside that "common cause" thing as I've found little in common with most people in general, and have zero belief in the systems at play currently.
peace.
Agree with most of this, but I don't think you have much insight or knowledge into the Latvian SS from your post.
It all depends on which banks you are talking about. There are two types of banks: huge, politicallly connected banks which own and control the Federal Reserve System, and small local banks, which are not politically connected and not members of the Federal Reserve.
Small, local banks are getting absolutely crushed. These banks historically played a critical role in the local economy, and as recently as 20 years ago, were vital sources of small business funding and local mortgage lending. They have been crippled and marginalized in the last decade, all according to plan.
Talk to a small banker to understand exactly what they are up against, and dont lump these good guys in with the Wall Street crowd.
All of my family's vast wealth is now held in a local credit union. GESA is really a great outfit.
How much of your vast wealth is insured by the NCUA? I hope you have different registrations
I'm an unemployed teacher and my wife teaches at a Catholic school - that a clue?
Jesus H. Durden.....The banks go bailed out and the people were kicked out of their homes was, and is, a common theme in his message. A message that wishes not to bail out the banks and stick the people with the debts. Cherry pick your asshole instead of an honest man's words.
I would goatse you if I could.
Ummm...Coercion vs. Volunteerism. Corporations don't have all the fucking guns. If you don't like a particualr corporation, you take your $ to another corporation....volun-fucking-tarily. Government is a violent coercive monopoly, that will violate your rights. If you don't like government what are you going to do? Vote? For the same bullshit over and over...Einstein?
Also of interest, is that growth in corporations bears a direct relationship to growth in government. The trend always continues until the two achieve singularity status. The corporation itself a legal fiction, created by whom? Government.
The idea that increasing government would control the very coporations which it has created in order to farm you and your rug rats, as the tax livestock you all are, is simple, fucking idiotic.
RP has stated that corporations are not people, my friend. (Why does Romnuts have to remind us of Mccain with this moron-speak?).
Ron Paul seems to want many good things, but he does not have all the solutions that we need. We got here from the beginning of our constitution. What makes anyone think we wouldn't just get here again if we only stepped back to the beginning again?
The fact that we got here means there was something missing, a check and balance missing. That check and balance is participatory democracy. We need to be able to fire bought politicians. We need to be able to strike down unjust laws, and we even with a supermajority need to be able to change our constitution.
It is often convenient to let leaders lead us, but because the few will always be subject to bribery and threat, we need the power to be able to stop them. That is what is missing.
At each of these "turnings" the people gain something. This time I am hopeful we will gain power over the elite.
It's corporate welfare that is the problem, not the corp. itself.
The current Gov't/Regime favors Big Corp, clearly, see Too Big To Fail.
Get rid of the lobbyist control of Gov't, not the Gov itself, and allow for poorly run, sociopathic entities that feast off our economy to fail.
Ron does bash banks by proxy by going after the FED, in which he claims correctly is a private entity owned by World Banks...
See this link on who owns the FED
http://www.save-a-patriot.org/files/view/whofed.html
Ron Paul has been a tireless opponent of the FED- that is the banks you moron.
Second, it is the police power of the state under the control of corpoations that creates the problems we have today. Without that protection, corporations would be subject to the discipline of the market and would not be a problem.
If you understaood economics, you might realize this. Ron Paul does.
Uh, yes: over and over, for years - including before the 2008 crash: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji_G0MqAqq8 (video is from 2007)
Ron Paul voted against the TARP bailout that saved the banks (and their shareholders) from complete collapse due to their bad investments.
Most giant corporations could not exist without corporate welfare.
Ron Paul does not go far enough, but he goes as far as Libertarianism will let him, and he goes much, much further than anyone else.
"Shut your lie-hole." Haha. That's funny.
.
the problem is, "libertarian regimes" appear to come in different flavours of late - so one would have to be very specific as to which flavour one favours. . .
we're back to seeking the definitions of words & beliefs.
Quite misinformed.
Many Libertarians take issue with intellectual property.
You might want to look into Stephan Kinsella: http://wiki.mises.org/wiki/Stephan_Kinsella
TFTL
I'm Libertarian-curious.
Indeed. Here is Kinsella's "Case against Intellectual Property":http://mises.org/daily/3682
Makes for compelling reading.
Outstanding article.
And here's a 1-minute synopsis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw-MFeR8Frw
LOL... right... cause that's exactly what we've been living in for the past 100 years. A cult of Libertarianism. I'll help you with the '/sarc' tag.
Ron Paul is one of the few honest politicians in Washington. He stands on the side of liberty, the individual, due process, etc etc etc. if people would take the time to learn some history, and then understand the principles that he basis his positions on, most people find they have more in common with him then any other politician. It's bullshit that the media misrepresents, misquotes, and downright calls him unelectable.
Imagine that. The one honest guy unelectable
End the fed and you end the wars
Copyright lasts 75 years, and can be renewed for another 50. You're not safe downloading anything from 1890 or later :-)
I was being funny.
Not to mention Congress can now place public domain works back under copyright in order to comply with the Berne Convention.
http://gizmodo.com/5877740/supreme-court-gives-the-go-ahead-for-re+copyrighting-public-domain-works
Life of the author/creator plus 70 years. Or until Mickey Mouse nears that mark again.
Like anything else in our corrupt society, the rules apply only to those who cannot buy their way around them.
Copyright lasts 75 years, and can be renewed for another 50. You're not safe downloading anything from 1890 or later :-)
I'll be anxiously hoping that the copyright on the US Dollar doesn't become renewed...
why imagine when you can just read.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-copyright-can-be-ex...
Cancel TV. ALL TV is sh*t and it is 24x7 brainwashing for the power structure. Only sheep watch TV. The serfs gave away their liberty for a clicker. Pretty much screw all elites media - newspapers, magazines, TV and movies. F em.
Great - Google sponsored Obama ads here on ZH. Avoid Google as well.
this country is a fucking sham
They all are. Governments exist to fix prices for the benefit of some-or-other bloc. Such blocs include, for example, small-government "libertarians" who want to fix the price of defending borders and neighborhood security (at someone else's expense) but not much else.
Anarcho-capitalism is the only answer.
I like the idea of a meta-system where a single proponent of each socio-political idealogical construct (communism, corporate capitalism, anarcho-capitalism, etc.) would fight to the death with his or her oponents in a giant cage match using only cutting and bludgeoning weapons. The final wo/man standing would be declared the winner and would either immediately assume the role of dictator in the case of a totalitarian system, or elections would be held. It would be televised and streamed nationally - say every 50 years or so - and all other programming would preempted.
Not really... you also have to lay the foundation for it... Anarcho capitalism at timeline 0 equals win... anarcho capitalism at timeline 50 equals corporatism... and by the time the timeline hits 100, you're at totalitarian/dictator rule...
In and of itself, it really isn't an answer... there is no viable mechanism for stasis. Further, if participants/citizens do not start off on equal footing, the previous power brokers (of the last regime) end up with head starts in the new one... this is how you get familial wealth that transcends time and political changes through centuries.
In the end, anarcho capitalism is simply a description of a temporary point on a see-sawing timeline.
The Act of 1871- The American Scam Revealed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gABSat3N7xg
District of Columbia Act of 1871 Defacto formed 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxiHojcfufk
District of Columbia Act 1871 De Facto formed 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f8Y22pfqF8&feature=related
District of Columbia Act 1871 De Facto formed 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nfHGa0LTJ4&feature=related
@ Michael, that's a great name. Save these and Forward to everyone.
The United States Isn't a Country
— It's a Corporation!
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
— Preamble of the original "organic" Constitution
http://www.serendipity.li/jsmill/us_corporation.htm
UNITED STATES is a Corporation - There are Two Constitutions - Sovereignty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVsMUpPgdT0
The original United States has been usurped by a separate and different UNITED STATES formed in 1871, which only controls the District of Columbia and it’s territories, and which is actually a corporation (the UNITED STATES CORPORATION) that acts as our current government. The United States Corporation operates under Corporate/Commercial/Public Law rather than Common/Private Law
http://dev.republicoftheunitedstates.org/what-is-the-republic/history/
The reason I started with the Flag issue is because it is so easy to grasp. The main problem I have with the yellow fringe is that by its use our Constitutional Republic is no more. Our system of law was changed without the public's knowledge. It was kept secret. This is fraud. The American people were allowed to believe this was just a decoration. Because the law changed from Common Law (God's Law) to Admiralty Law (the kings law) your status also changed from sovereign to subject. From being able to own property (allodial title) to not owning property (tenet on the land). If you think you own your property, stop paying taxes, it will be taken under the prize law.
When you walk into a court and see this flag you are put on notice that you are in a Admiralty Court and that the king is in control. Also, if there is a king the people are no longer sovereign. You're probably saying this is the most incredible thing I have ever heard. YOU have read the proof, it will stand up in court. But wait, there is more, you probably would say, how could this happen? Here's how. Admiralty law is for the sea, maritime law govern's contracts between parties that trade over the sea. Well, that's what our fore-fathers intended. However, in 1845 Congress passed an act saying Admiralty law could come on land. The bill may be traced in Cong. Globe, 28th Cong., 2d. Sess. 43, 320, 328, 337, 345(1844-45), no opposition to the Act is reported. Congress held a committee on this subject in 1850 and they said:
http://www.barefootsworld.net/admiralty.html
Why 1871? Right after a civil war backed and pushed by a european banking family. Their proxies (aka carpet baggers) then invaded the south after the war.
Off topic but perhaps not.
LA Military Exercises
David Perez
KFI News
January 24, 2012
Joint military training exercises will be held evenings in downtown Los Angeles through Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The LAPD will be providing support for the exercises, which will also be held in other portions of the greater Los Angeles area, police said.
Training sites “have been carefully selected to ensure the event does not negatively impact the citizens of Los Angeles and their daily routine,” a department official said.
The training, which a department official said would involve helicopters, has been coordinated with local authorities and owners of the training sites, police said.
http://www.kfiam640.com/pages/NEWS.html?article=9653697
Running out of wars to fight overseas, they turn on their own people.
Democrat state destroyed by liberal Democrats who promoted open-borders.
So I guess this means you really can't run away to some exotic land and be prosperous and free from the ravages of the Amerikan government. Gee, who'da thunk it?
I'd rather see their heads on pikes lining highways across the nation, but whatever.
The IPR eagle is like all angry and tough. YEAHH we're the IPR. The DOJ eagle looks like it dropping a load before take-off.
Shut down this site that allows people to download shit they wouldn't buy otherwise,,,the loss of revenue is BS... but Corzine still walks the streets. WTF.. Fanatic Blunderers International.
1.3 Billion? I dunno where it went,,,
Penetrating testimony by the Corzine...
He's correct, if they want you they will get you pure and simple.
If they really wanted to protect citizens from real peril, then they need only shut down these two giant ponzi schemes:
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/
http://www.ssa.gov/
Those are still OK for the time being. Just don't start your own.
the chinese are probably raffing their asses off at this...
Oh they want to protect US citizens from peril alright, that's why the LAPD and US military are holding joint urban exercises this week in downtown LA.
Yes, downtown fuckin' LA.
the comments on that link also state "urban exercises" in Little Rock, Arkansas. . .
they state paradrops onto the VA hospital??? Really? I'll call a few friends down there, catch up, and ask some questions trying not to sound like a nut... can't find any links with a cursory web search...
I'll hope you post any news here, and will look out for it - thanks!
(also tried a few searches, nothing yet. . .)
Here's the innocuous link I found:
http://www.kfiam640.com/pages/NEWS.html?article=9653697
aye, thanks, that's the link where I read the comment:
Carol Son Havener · Plainview, Arkansas
"Training exercises" have been going on in Little Rock also. Military here doing night drops by helicopter into downtown Little Rock at the old VA hospital where the city police department is housed. Hmm...."
was hoping to get some more information on other places where these "urban training exercises" are being staged. . .
Find a forum, find an IRC. Be anonymous, start an insurgency.
https://www.torproject.org/
http://www.i2p2.de/
https://tails.boum.org/
Thanks for the links !! I think everyone needs to be prepared to be able to communicate.
You win the Most Useful Post of the Day Award.
Note to self: If I ever become wealthy take half my money and bury it in the woods in gold coin form.
An excellent idea even if you aren't wealthy.
Yet these scum at the FBI won't go after the Pentagon for much worse.
5200 Pentagon Employees PURCHASED Child Pornography!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7qTBkA8X_E
It was purchased. No copyright laws were broken. Or something like that.