Don't Take the Bait
When is a trap not a trap?
Don M. posted an essay exhorting folks to get off their ass and Do something peaceful(paraphrased all to hell), and has issues with some(okay, My) responses, and another today requesting clarification.
Always happy to oblige(HAH!), I'm gonna give it a go in the interests of furthering dialogue.
A trap is not a trap when you Know it's a trap. Simple, right? I'm not advocating taking their bait, I have no interest in the 'dupes' of whatever persuasion that are running the streets. That's a fools game.
I'm talking about applying pressure where it can be most effective, and that is Not in the political realm at this time. You may, and can, disagree with me at any time, on any point. We're all human, right? Supposed to be anyway. But the Psychopaths That Be, I'll argue, are not right in the head. They haven't been in a long time, perhaps they never were right in the head at all. The overwhelming need of greed for money and power(or lack there of) seems to be a differentiating trait. Would any of us be like them if offered the blandishments of wealth and power? I would like to think not, but again, we're all human.
Many people think of themselves as nonviolent, and would like all humans to be that way also. Not gonna happen in this, or any other life.
We can look back at history but we don't really need to. Look around you today, what do you see? Violence being perpetrated on entire populations FOR A BUCK! That's it. A dollar.
That's how this 'mound of dirt' got started as a country. Sure, they prettied it up with nice words and and appeals to honour. But it boiled down to Ka-Ching!
Threaten that and you have leverage. But also a Big Bullseye on your ass for them to bring their violence down onto.
So, what to do? Something they expect? Au contrair, mon Ami! There are quite literally hundreds of choke points that can be pressured through precise application of violence.
'Timing beats speed, precision beats power.'
It doesn't matter how fast they are. If your timing is right, they miss. It doesn't matter how much more powerful they are, if you're precise with your aim, they fall.
If, in this ACADEMIC Discussion you believe I'm advocating 'blow it all up' type of resistance, you would be wrong. If you believe I'm advocating for violence in the street, or Blind violence, again, you would be mistaken.
People are Already dying in the street and more will follow if they choose the fools errand way.
We have to be smarter, craftier, more deceptive. Writing(and publishing) this post puts a target on my back. Reading and commenting on it puts a target on Your back. They will brook No dissent from the unwashed masses lest the idea of revolution take hold. And revolution is sorely needed.
Will it be violent with blind fury? Or will it be violent with cold, clear eyed rage?
THAT seems to be the choice we will have to make.
Sure, March down the street in protest and get skull cracked and arrested. Or dead. They don't care which.
Do you?
'Those who make peaceful revolt impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.'
DILLIGAF if the quote is off.
The floor is yours.
Comments
Well, it's been up a
couple of hours and no drone strike yet.
Nobody wants to play?
Stop These Fucking Wars
peace(I'm trying)
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march
I'll play--but I've always been reckless
But hey, let's have some fun!
I thought your essay was kinda mild. A trap is not a trap if you know it's a trap! That is syllogism, so why fear drone bombings? Violence in the street. Yeah, more and more--but you didn't propose it. Let's have a cheer for George Soros and fellow Nazi-lovers! Choke points to curb violence--great idea, but do they exist? Elites have and successfully operate choke points for Progressivism (or are we calling ourselves Alt-Left now?).
TBU, I like your essay but if you want violence, you'll have to try a lot harder.
I had to look it up,
but what I think it is, is actually an enthymeme(compressed syllogism).
However, I am Not a linguist and I Don't play one on tv.
Stop These Fucking Wars
peace
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march
My comments from his two essays
I would love to go to a peaceful protest against various issues, but the protests are always turning violent.
The cops either start it themselves, or they watch like they did during the Bundy standoff with federal authorities.
They did this at both of the Bundy's poobahs.
The tea party people also had guns at their rally and they were also left alone.
The cops watched as the Nazis attacked the other protesters who gave as good as they got.
The OWS, BLM and DAPL protests were peaceful until the cops showed. Them all hell broke out.
It seems that the way to get cops to back off is to bring your own gun to the party. But I don't think that the BLM protests would get the same reaction as the Nazi and the other ones did.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
High Ed and snoopy
I'm not trying for violence, more pointing out what I know in my gut that it will take to make a meaningful difference with the way the System is set up now. Choke points do exist and are extremely vulnerable. Ed, you have kinfolk in the sewers, They should know a few of those points.
Snoopydawg, your observation is Exactly pertinent to this discussion. Th Black Panthers knew this as well, but the rest of us have Allowed ourselves to forget. In another thread it was mentioned that power respects Power. We have been brainwashed for nonviolent responses to be the only acceptable response. THIS is a part(but only A part) of the debate I was trying to make.
If power Only respects power, why throw part of that power away? It makes no sense to me to take Any option we have and say'No, I won't use that ever!' Limiting ourselves in what is an actual, real life struggle for A DECENT LIFE is the height of folly. Because that is all people are asking for; a decent life to raise a family, a secure job that pays for a home, GOOD food on the table(Not poisoned with pesticides, chemical contamination, or genetically altered into Frankenstein food), clean Safe drinking water, an adequate education for those that want it.
An End to endless war.
These are not outrageous things to want and need. Sure there are many other things on the list and None of them should be viewed as unattainable or too much to ask of our society. In fact these should be the Bare Minimum necessities in a First World Country! For All the People!
Plutos Republic pointed out that we should move to another location and the question I have for that is Where? The World is under assault from psychopaths that Do Not Care about US!
We put rabid animals down because they are a danger to the populace at large- are these psychopaths that hoard money for power(and vice versa) so very different than a rabid dog?
Thank you both for being brave enough to play, we are all on a list somewhere now.
Stop These Fucking Wars
peace(I'll be working on it 'till the day I die)
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march
I can remember times when Americans fought for their country.
Now, the fight is against our country. That's a big divide.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
Respectfully
I disagree. I believe we are still fighting FOR our country, the people that inhabit it and the land it encompasses.
The struggle is to reform our gov't, both elected and unelected. Barring that necessary reform, to abolish and replace it with- what, exactly I do not know. Socialism of some sort with mechanisms built in to limit the power mad from taking over. HOW this is to be accomplished I also do not know and I Have been thinking about it.
Stop These Fucking Wars
peace(could we have some)
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march
Think these are the guys we're looking for, TB&U.
and of course, Sgt. Shamar Thomas:
I'm struggling with this myself. Want to think it over...
People are being pushed to the brink.
"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"
- Kurt Vonnegut
wow, just
wow on Shamar video.
Quite literally tears-and I haven't finished watching it yet (poor service). I've been ruminating on it for some time myself, and the quality writing that occurs here from so many gifted writers and Thinkers has been a great help in the process. I have great respect and fondness for all of you on this site.
I might not always display it, but it's there. You folks actually help curb some of my baser reactions and This Is A Good Thing!
I feel I have been flippant with don at times and wish to apologize for it.
The man is sincere, intellectually honest and compassionate to 'virtual' strangers which is why I decided to take this plunge. Of course I haven't been as circumspect as a more cautious person would have been-'give me six lines from an honest man and I will see him hanged' or some such quote.
But that is the time we live in..
And I have tried to respond honestly and openly to the comments as to what direction things Could go. And as usual I start to find clarity in the act of writing that is most helpful.
I should probably do so more often.
Stop These Fucking Wars
peace
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march
TBU, please do some more writing.
Your writing not only clarifies things in your mind but helps us all to clarify our thinking.
@Tall Bald and Ugly
The US government - using the powers delegated by the American people - is conducting a war on the world, including the people to whom the country of America belongs, as a commons.
This is because the government has been invaded by pathological self-interests who hate the fact that that people other than themselves have freedoms, property and rights and have spent ages working on rectifying this to their own liking, so that all power, rights and wealth stolen from their victims accrue only to themselves/their lackeys.
If the public good, forming that of the country, is not served, those in public office have, at best, not been doing their jobs, have betrayed their oaths of office and do not form a legitimate government.
The water is boiling; whatever happens, it's long past time to hop it toward survival before the meat's boiled off the bone. I only wish a pacific means of doing so would be found...
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
Ellen, I feel ya.
I, too, wish for a pacifist solution to reform our gov't, I just fear we are well beyond that stage and abolishing and instituting a workable gov't that truly Promotes the General Welfare will not be easy or free of bloodshed.
Hell, blood has already been spilled. With more to follow, it appears.
Stop These Fucking Wars
peace
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march
@Tall Bald and Ugly
I'm afraid you're right... What was that quote floating around here about those who will not allow a political solution forcing a violent revolution?
Edit to remove a vagrant letter and to make the obvious point that the above was a very rough paraphrase.
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
@dkmich
The fight is against the illegal - if long-standing - infiltration and take-over of a government intended to be of, by and for the people, with equal rights, treatment and opportunity for all, by hostile and destructive self-interests now intent on illegally taking over the rest of the world even though they'll destroy it in the taking.
As stated (edit: by the essayist on this thread), the fight is for your country and the survival of life on the planet.
Edited for the traditional letter typo.
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
I'm pretty much camped on your side of the river.
As for these goings-on:
The only way to win is to not play the game.
I have no emotional attachment to the US, so it's simpler for me to ferret out propaganda, for example, and to speak of forbidden topics. And to go somewhere else when the bad outweighs the good. But I do have guilt and shame about it. What's with the Psycho-Right when they say, "I will never apologize for America." Do they even qualify as citizens if they don't own it?
____________________
The political system is what it is because the People are who they are. — Plato
Pluto, there is no need
to feel guilt or shame that you no longer(if ever you did) feel love or affection for this country. I'm sure you are not alone in this and in no way should Anyone be obligated to do so.
Btw, I Love the meme. Spot on!
Stop These Fucking Wars
peace
Ya got to be a Spirit, cain't be no Ghost. . .
Explain Bldg #7. . . still waiting. . .
If you’ve ever wondered whether you would have complied in 1930’s Germany,
Now you know. . .
sign at protest march