The year is 2010. We are well into the second year of arguably the most liberal president in the history of the United States, backed by a near supermajority of liberal leaning congressmen and senators in the federal capitol. The left is pushing for a radical Eurofication of the United States, the right is determined to stall on the basis of American Exceptionalism when it comes to our form of government. The state governments are ripe with the same partisan conflicts, the same partisan rhetoric, the same core fundamental disparities. The people of the states, too, are mobilizing for one side or the other. On every level there is such a divide present that the very fabric of our society is beginning to tear at the seams.
This is a struggle that must be resolved, and it must be that absolute liberty is the victor, lest the great experiment will cease to exist.
That is why, in 2010, it is more important to defend liberty, defend streamlined government initiatives, support true liberty minded citizens who are interested in restoring balance in the government and not merely looking for a switch in partisan power.
As I have eluded to in a number of articles, my biggest fear is that the power swing in 2010 will do little to address core concerns with the direction of this country, and do more to merely swing power to a different set of criminal politicians.
Liberty means more than low taxes and republican victories. It means more than a Gadsden flag, or a tea party convention. Liberty is only possible when you live without fear of reproach from your government AND without fear of retaliation from your neighbor. We must be careful not to cry liberty while in the minority, merely to rule with an iron fist once in the majority.
Inasmuch, we must draw a clear line in the sand - what is the absolute extent of government power... and stick to it.
Unless we can resolve this fundamental question, all other disputes are unwinable.
Showing posts with label civil liberty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label civil liberty. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Liberty, Lībertās, Liberté
In June, I began a three part series on Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness - Titling my first in the series simply "LIFE".
To continue the discussion, a topic that is frequented on this blog, let us discuss LIBERTY.
As I began the last topic, I made a special not that Life was listed as the first inalienable right in the Declaration of Independence - and in the order of three it should be similarly noted that Liberty is the second of the three rights specifically mentioned (though it should also be reminded that man is not limited to these three rights, these three were simply worthy of special attention in the founding document). Once the Right of Life has been established, it is most important to identify that this most precious gift is free from fear, free from external rule, and free to use it's abilities, thoughts, and ambitions.
Where life is the most precious gift from Our Father, Liberty is the promise between men to respect the life of our fellow man - a task that requires self restraint, self control, and personal responsibility - all moral compasses provided through devotion to Higher Standards in Faith. Life is breathed into our beings as a promise - the simplest of promises, unrestrained by man - which may be why it is not protected beyond being listed as an inalienable right... however, Liberty - the promise between men - is fully defined in the Contract of our Government, the Constitution.
After the creation of the Government, the first duty was to amend the constitution to purposefully limit the ability of the government to impede personal liberty, and to also define the concept of liberty which would become our law. The Bill of Rights begins by restricting the ability of the government to make laws restricting free practice of religion, speech, press, and peaceful protest. The first amendment is the most widely referenced and most widely known protection of rights - and unfortunately the general knowledge of protected rights stops there.
Regardless of the knowledge of the remaining first rights, it is most important to understand the INTENT of the bill of rights - to limit the power of the government in regards to controlling the lives of the citizens of this nation. It was never the intent of the Federal Government to act as a business entity, to act as an Education entity, or to act as a Healthcare Provider. Based on the principles of liberty, it is the personal responsibility of the free citizen to educate himself, to work and consume within his own abilities, and to maintain his health on his own or with the help of his own doctor, who is equally free to supply a service or not.
The remaining rights outline the freedom of self protection for the better protection of the state, the protection of personal property from the government, the protection of the self against the government, the basis for legal proceedings, and my two favorite amendments - 9th and 10th: the explicit establishment of personal Liberty, and the explicit limit of Governmental jurisdiction.
Amendment 9: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
Literally meaning that a right not listed in the Constitution does not mean that it does not exist (like the right to life). This is a searing reminder that the constitution limits GOVERNMENTS powers - NOT the PEOPLES powers.
Amendment 10: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
The sweet sound of liberty - so poetic in principle.
But, I ask, what role does liberty play in our daily lives? Where has liberty gone off to at the federal level - or even at the state and local level for that matter?
Since the dawning of civilization, man has dreamed of liberty, only to find that society restricts liberty. The concept of society begs for leaders, which turn into rulers. So is the case in this country. We began with leaders, and often times find ourselves the subjects under rulers. We are subject to laws restraining liberty in every aspect of our lives - transportation, entertainment, work, food, clothes... everything is regulated, everything is limited... we have liberty under constraints - which is not liberty at all.
There is an old saying - the less influence God has on you, the more influence the Government needs to have on you... literally: if you cannot control yourself in a civil society, we will do it for you!
Liberty is an ideal, burning in the hearts of men who wish to be free from excesses in life and government... however, we are subject to the society in which we live - where equal men choose to be ruled rather than take personal ownership of their liberty, and thus surrender that of their fellow man - or likewise, demand ownership of the fruits of their fellow man.
To continue the discussion, a topic that is frequented on this blog, let us discuss LIBERTY.
As I began the last topic, I made a special not that Life was listed as the first inalienable right in the Declaration of Independence - and in the order of three it should be similarly noted that Liberty is the second of the three rights specifically mentioned (though it should also be reminded that man is not limited to these three rights, these three were simply worthy of special attention in the founding document). Once the Right of Life has been established, it is most important to identify that this most precious gift is free from fear, free from external rule, and free to use it's abilities, thoughts, and ambitions.
Where life is the most precious gift from Our Father, Liberty is the promise between men to respect the life of our fellow man - a task that requires self restraint, self control, and personal responsibility - all moral compasses provided through devotion to Higher Standards in Faith. Life is breathed into our beings as a promise - the simplest of promises, unrestrained by man - which may be why it is not protected beyond being listed as an inalienable right... however, Liberty - the promise between men - is fully defined in the Contract of our Government, the Constitution.
After the creation of the Government, the first duty was to amend the constitution to purposefully limit the ability of the government to impede personal liberty, and to also define the concept of liberty which would become our law. The Bill of Rights begins by restricting the ability of the government to make laws restricting free practice of religion, speech, press, and peaceful protest. The first amendment is the most widely referenced and most widely known protection of rights - and unfortunately the general knowledge of protected rights stops there.
Regardless of the knowledge of the remaining first rights, it is most important to understand the INTENT of the bill of rights - to limit the power of the government in regards to controlling the lives of the citizens of this nation. It was never the intent of the Federal Government to act as a business entity, to act as an Education entity, or to act as a Healthcare Provider. Based on the principles of liberty, it is the personal responsibility of the free citizen to educate himself, to work and consume within his own abilities, and to maintain his health on his own or with the help of his own doctor, who is equally free to supply a service or not.
The remaining rights outline the freedom of self protection for the better protection of the state, the protection of personal property from the government, the protection of the self against the government, the basis for legal proceedings, and my two favorite amendments - 9th and 10th: the explicit establishment of personal Liberty, and the explicit limit of Governmental jurisdiction.
Amendment 9: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
Literally meaning that a right not listed in the Constitution does not mean that it does not exist (like the right to life). This is a searing reminder that the constitution limits GOVERNMENTS powers - NOT the PEOPLES powers.
Amendment 10: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."
The sweet sound of liberty - so poetic in principle.
But, I ask, what role does liberty play in our daily lives? Where has liberty gone off to at the federal level - or even at the state and local level for that matter?
Since the dawning of civilization, man has dreamed of liberty, only to find that society restricts liberty. The concept of society begs for leaders, which turn into rulers. So is the case in this country. We began with leaders, and often times find ourselves the subjects under rulers. We are subject to laws restraining liberty in every aspect of our lives - transportation, entertainment, work, food, clothes... everything is regulated, everything is limited... we have liberty under constraints - which is not liberty at all.
There is an old saying - the less influence God has on you, the more influence the Government needs to have on you... literally: if you cannot control yourself in a civil society, we will do it for you!
Liberty is an ideal, burning in the hearts of men who wish to be free from excesses in life and government... however, we are subject to the society in which we live - where equal men choose to be ruled rather than take personal ownership of their liberty, and thus surrender that of their fellow man - or likewise, demand ownership of the fruits of their fellow man.
Monday, October 13, 2008
The Importance of Secessionism
Anyone who has been around this blog for some time knows that I was a die-hard Huckabee supporter, not because of his religious beliefs, but because of his commitment to State's Rights. Unfortunately, the Republican Party selected a candidate who could care less about the constitution in general, especially the 9th and 10th amendments. Luckily he selected a VP candidate who fully respects a state's right to vote on their status with the union. Sarah Palin has reached out to legitimize the struggle of a group of "10th amendmenters", called the Alaskan Independence Party, simply requesting the vote which Alaskans were never granted - on whether or not they wanted to join the union.
In the light of the new powers granted to an un-elected official, the Secretary of Treasury, which are unbound and unchecked allowing this individual with no responsibility to the voters to exercise unconstitutional force on the free market, we have to ask ourselves what rights we still retain.
When our founding fathers constructed the proposed union, they established the rules for an inefficient government to avoid tyranny, and followed up their governmental structure to ensure that the government understood that it's existence was at the pleasure of the citizens of the individual states... not the other way around.
The Bill of Rights was 10 of 12 proposed amendments, guaranteeing that certain rights were specifically cited as being "off limits" to the functioning of the supposed small federal government.
First, there was a protection of speech, press, practice of religion, protest, and protest against government for grievances.
Second, there was a protection of the individual's right to self preservation, by way of arming the self.
Third, there was a protection of private land - namely against occupying federal forces.
Fourth, there was a protection of the self against search and seizure.
Fifth, there was a protection of the self against self-incrimination, unreasonable trials, and protection of private property against governmental growth.
Sixth and Seventh, there was a protection of the self via jury of peers, and reasonable due process of law.
Eight, there was a protection of the self against unreasonable punishment and torture by the government.
Finally - the ninth and tenth amendments stated clearly that rights not explicitly called out did not mean that those rights were not rights of the people, and that any power not explicitly given to the federal government in the constitution was therefor a power retained by the STATES and the PEOPLE of the states.
These last two points are the most powerful of the entire constitution - declaring that the power of the states is superior to the power of the federal government. This includes the power of secession from the union, a right not discussed in the constitution, thus retained by the states and the people to decide.
Unfortunately, our country went to war over the right of secession once before... though history would indicate that it was a war over slavery, the truth being told, the war was over the right of a state to opt out of a union that fails to represent or operate on behalf of the people of that state.
As I was saying, in light of the recent NEW POWERS, unchecked powers, that the federal government has just granted itself over the people, the markets, and the states... we have to ask ourselves what rights we still retain, and what power we still have over the federal government... Truth be told, those rights and powers are gone. The answer in plain sight is none. But let's discuss technicalities, and the strength that they have.
Technically we have the right to secede from the union, to cast off a form of government that no longer represents the will of the people or the states. It is the last right of the people to keep the federal government in check - stating loud and clear that it is the people who retain the power, not the government. If the people of this nation, of these collection of states, understands that they are not subjects of the federal government but rather the power behind a once "more perfect union", we can better understand our rights and our purpose for living in this nation.
I would propose a show of force across the nation - a ratification of the collective state constitutions, citing the rights retained by the 9th and 10th amendments to the US Constitution, explicitly stating that the right of the state does, in fact, include the right to secede from the Federal Union of the United States. This is not a proposition that any governor is going to propose - it has to be a grassroots effort of the people of the collective states.
Once this effort comes to a head, the Supreme Court decision of Texas v. White (in which the 1869 SCOTUS ruling indicated that the Constitution did not permit states to secede from the Union - the decision was 5-3), will come into question. Fortunately for the argument of future state's rights of secession, the decision of the court included a statement:
The right to secession benefits each state, and the people of the United States, as a protection against an overbearing federal government. Unfortunately, the people of this great nation feel defenseless in the current state of the economy and the strict authoritarian federal government that has sprung up in the name of freedom. What freedom does a caged dog have?
Am I advocating a civil war? I would argue that we are in the midst of a "cold" civil war - a class war, a war of values, a war of power over the people... and the people are losing. I am not advocating violence.
What I am advocating is that the People of the United States understand their rights... understand that we do not have to live in a country of corruption and tyranny at the upper echelons. And we do not have to sit idly by as we watch the powers of a KING granted to an unelected Cabinet Member of the Executive Branch.
I am advocating that We the People of the United States of America take back this country - take back our personal rights, and stop living under constant supervision, regulation, and fear of our government!
I am advocating for the freedom of the people of the several states/regions to decide whether or not the Federal Government has grown beyond its usefulness.
Secession is not a resolution that should come lightly. It is a decision that brings into question the very existence of the United States, and the ties that have bound our people together. It is necessary, from time to time, to have the option to pressure the Federal Government into submission on behalf of the people.
Our politicians swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America - but I wonder if any have read it lately or understand what it actually says, or what it MEANS!?!
In the light of the new powers granted to an un-elected official, the Secretary of Treasury, which are unbound and unchecked allowing this individual with no responsibility to the voters to exercise unconstitutional force on the free market, we have to ask ourselves what rights we still retain.
When our founding fathers constructed the proposed union, they established the rules for an inefficient government to avoid tyranny, and followed up their governmental structure to ensure that the government understood that it's existence was at the pleasure of the citizens of the individual states... not the other way around.
The Bill of Rights was 10 of 12 proposed amendments, guaranteeing that certain rights were specifically cited as being "off limits" to the functioning of the supposed small federal government.
First, there was a protection of speech, press, practice of religion, protest, and protest against government for grievances.
Second, there was a protection of the individual's right to self preservation, by way of arming the self.
Third, there was a protection of private land - namely against occupying federal forces.
Fourth, there was a protection of the self against search and seizure.
Fifth, there was a protection of the self against self-incrimination, unreasonable trials, and protection of private property against governmental growth.
Sixth and Seventh, there was a protection of the self via jury of peers, and reasonable due process of law.
Eight, there was a protection of the self against unreasonable punishment and torture by the government.
Finally - the ninth and tenth amendments stated clearly that rights not explicitly called out did not mean that those rights were not rights of the people, and that any power not explicitly given to the federal government in the constitution was therefor a power retained by the STATES and the PEOPLE of the states.
These last two points are the most powerful of the entire constitution - declaring that the power of the states is superior to the power of the federal government. This includes the power of secession from the union, a right not discussed in the constitution, thus retained by the states and the people to decide.
Unfortunately, our country went to war over the right of secession once before... though history would indicate that it was a war over slavery, the truth being told, the war was over the right of a state to opt out of a union that fails to represent or operate on behalf of the people of that state.
As I was saying, in light of the recent NEW POWERS, unchecked powers, that the federal government has just granted itself over the people, the markets, and the states... we have to ask ourselves what rights we still retain, and what power we still have over the federal government... Truth be told, those rights and powers are gone. The answer in plain sight is none. But let's discuss technicalities, and the strength that they have.
Technically we have the right to secede from the union, to cast off a form of government that no longer represents the will of the people or the states. It is the last right of the people to keep the federal government in check - stating loud and clear that it is the people who retain the power, not the government. If the people of this nation, of these collection of states, understands that they are not subjects of the federal government but rather the power behind a once "more perfect union", we can better understand our rights and our purpose for living in this nation.
I would propose a show of force across the nation - a ratification of the collective state constitutions, citing the rights retained by the 9th and 10th amendments to the US Constitution, explicitly stating that the right of the state does, in fact, include the right to secede from the Federal Union of the United States. This is not a proposition that any governor is going to propose - it has to be a grassroots effort of the people of the collective states.
Once this effort comes to a head, the Supreme Court decision of Texas v. White (in which the 1869 SCOTUS ruling indicated that the Constitution did not permit states to secede from the Union - the decision was 5-3), will come into question. Fortunately for the argument of future state's rights of secession, the decision of the court included a statement:
The union between Texas and the other States was as complete, as perpetual,This indicates that if the multitude of the states, and the people of the states, indicated that the right of secession was a right retained by the states by the 9th and 10th amendment, then secession could be voted on by any given state and enacted against the federal government's rule.
and as indissoluble as the union between the original States. There was no place
for reconsideration, or revocation, except through revolution, or through
consent of the States.
The right to secession benefits each state, and the people of the United States, as a protection against an overbearing federal government. Unfortunately, the people of this great nation feel defenseless in the current state of the economy and the strict authoritarian federal government that has sprung up in the name of freedom. What freedom does a caged dog have?
Am I advocating a civil war? I would argue that we are in the midst of a "cold" civil war - a class war, a war of values, a war of power over the people... and the people are losing. I am not advocating violence.
What I am advocating is that the People of the United States understand their rights... understand that we do not have to live in a country of corruption and tyranny at the upper echelons. And we do not have to sit idly by as we watch the powers of a KING granted to an unelected Cabinet Member of the Executive Branch.
I am advocating that We the People of the United States of America take back this country - take back our personal rights, and stop living under constant supervision, regulation, and fear of our government!
I am advocating for the freedom of the people of the several states/regions to decide whether or not the Federal Government has grown beyond its usefulness.
Secession is not a resolution that should come lightly. It is a decision that brings into question the very existence of the United States, and the ties that have bound our people together. It is necessary, from time to time, to have the option to pressure the Federal Government into submission on behalf of the people.
Our politicians swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America - but I wonder if any have read it lately or understand what it actually says, or what it MEANS!?!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
When in the Course of Human Events...
The Declaration of Independence, written by men no longer able to idly allow usurpation of their natural right to freedom from tyranny and excessive and burdensome law, has been forgotten by most and ignored by more. What is worse, the importance and relevance of this document is further il-understood in the context of the sequence of events which have recently elapsed.
Over the weekend, the United States ceased to exist as a free nation, as a nation of free men.
This statement has been closer to reality for some time, but the events of the last week have ensured an end to the free society which was so nobly defended by the blood of our forefathers - the same blood that now boils in my veins.
The United States Government, under the guise of security in the financial markets, has simply cast aside the Constitution - a document which identifies the limited government which was allowed by the free peoples of this nation to be established with the limited roles of providing for the common defense of this nation and it's people - and have instituted in it's place an entity with limitless power over finance, business, banking, and the very core of the market system.
This nation ceases to be a Republic, and has now boldly stated that Republics are unnecessary - instead relying on a socialist democracy where the mob rules and the government remains in power of business, jobs, and the once free market. Free thinking minds need not apply - the United States of Freedom has officially gone bankrupt.
Free thinking men continue to do nothing, insisting instead that it is actually a good thing for an entity of once limited power to have unlimited power over businesses - and now has the ability to cease failing businesses for the cause of financial security.
Benjamin Franklin noted: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"
So what about those of us who acknowledge the error in the government - what choice do we have but to dissolve the political bands between ourselves and the Federal Government - to declare that we are the Harbinger of Liberty, the protectors of our inalienable rights! Experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
Our Federal Government has violated the contract in which WE ALLOW THEIR EXISTENCE. They have proclaimed themselves rulers of their people, masters of the land, and have shown intent to bring slavery and military force upon her people.
The Federal Government is guilty by their own admission of the following:
*It has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies with the purpose of combat against citizens in protest against them
*It has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power, usurping jurisdiction from rightful local citizens.
*It has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving its Assent to their Acts of unwanted Legislation:
- For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us
- For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent
*It has violated the trust of the people, conducting unreasonable search and seizure of persons and property without just cause or due process under the guise of Homeland Security and the "patriot act"
*It has moved to establish itself as superior in all matters where rights and laws are naturally reserved for the people or the states, including but not limited to marriage, education, and local security
*It has established evidentiary proof against itself to be called into question its intention of treason against the good will of the free people of the nation
All these actions occur in violation of the contract between the people and the government. We are under siege, yet we remain distracted and indifferent to action.
My recent near detention at the SeaTac airport in Seattle Washington emboldened me to action. I refused to cooperate with additional screening three hours after I went through security as the TSA agents conducted "random searches" of citizens at my gate. My refusal was on the grounds of the 4th amendment protection against unreasonable search or seizure without probable cause - unless they could present me with a warrant or some other document authorizing such a search of my secure person. They were unable to provide a warrant, and unwilling to show me an authorizing document to conduct this additional and unreasonable full body search. Their response to my protest was to call in their management, who was equally unable to cite any directive or authority to conduct such a search, and when fully frustrated that they could not beat me in a battle of constitutional wits, they threatened to have me arrested. I answered back that there is no need to show unnecessary force, when all I am requesting is documentation of their right to search my person. Needless to say, after a 25 minute stand-off, I took down their names and their position and informed them that i intend to file a full complaint - and allowed them to perform their search under my protest so that I could board my plane. I am currently investigating legal action against the TSA for failure to provide warrant or authority to conduct unreasonable searches under force.
And I call into question any citizen who is unwilling to question the actions of our government. What has this society become? Am I mourning the death of the Republic while others are celebrating the birth of whatever our nation has become?
We should never forget that a government that ceases to act on behalf of the people becomes an enemy of the people. This is just as true today as it was in 1776 - when our Founding Fathers - those brave souls - proclaimed that enough was enough.
Over the weekend, the United States ceased to exist as a free nation, as a nation of free men.
This statement has been closer to reality for some time, but the events of the last week have ensured an end to the free society which was so nobly defended by the blood of our forefathers - the same blood that now boils in my veins.
The United States Government, under the guise of security in the financial markets, has simply cast aside the Constitution - a document which identifies the limited government which was allowed by the free peoples of this nation to be established with the limited roles of providing for the common defense of this nation and it's people - and have instituted in it's place an entity with limitless power over finance, business, banking, and the very core of the market system.
This nation ceases to be a Republic, and has now boldly stated that Republics are unnecessary - instead relying on a socialist democracy where the mob rules and the government remains in power of business, jobs, and the once free market. Free thinking minds need not apply - the United States of Freedom has officially gone bankrupt.
Free thinking men continue to do nothing, insisting instead that it is actually a good thing for an entity of once limited power to have unlimited power over businesses - and now has the ability to cease failing businesses for the cause of financial security.
Benjamin Franklin noted: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety"
So what about those of us who acknowledge the error in the government - what choice do we have but to dissolve the political bands between ourselves and the Federal Government - to declare that we are the Harbinger of Liberty, the protectors of our inalienable rights! Experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
Our Federal Government has violated the contract in which WE ALLOW THEIR EXISTENCE. They have proclaimed themselves rulers of their people, masters of the land, and have shown intent to bring slavery and military force upon her people.
The Federal Government is guilty by their own admission of the following:
*It has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies with the purpose of combat against citizens in protest against them
*It has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power, usurping jurisdiction from rightful local citizens.
*It has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving its Assent to their Acts of unwanted Legislation:
- For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us
- For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent
*It has violated the trust of the people, conducting unreasonable search and seizure of persons and property without just cause or due process under the guise of Homeland Security and the "patriot act"
*It has moved to establish itself as superior in all matters where rights and laws are naturally reserved for the people or the states, including but not limited to marriage, education, and local security
*It has established evidentiary proof against itself to be called into question its intention of treason against the good will of the free people of the nation
All these actions occur in violation of the contract between the people and the government. We are under siege, yet we remain distracted and indifferent to action.
My recent near detention at the SeaTac airport in Seattle Washington emboldened me to action. I refused to cooperate with additional screening three hours after I went through security as the TSA agents conducted "random searches" of citizens at my gate. My refusal was on the grounds of the 4th amendment protection against unreasonable search or seizure without probable cause - unless they could present me with a warrant or some other document authorizing such a search of my secure person. They were unable to provide a warrant, and unwilling to show me an authorizing document to conduct this additional and unreasonable full body search. Their response to my protest was to call in their management, who was equally unable to cite any directive or authority to conduct such a search, and when fully frustrated that they could not beat me in a battle of constitutional wits, they threatened to have me arrested. I answered back that there is no need to show unnecessary force, when all I am requesting is documentation of their right to search my person. Needless to say, after a 25 minute stand-off, I took down their names and their position and informed them that i intend to file a full complaint - and allowed them to perform their search under my protest so that I could board my plane. I am currently investigating legal action against the TSA for failure to provide warrant or authority to conduct unreasonable searches under force.
And I call into question any citizen who is unwilling to question the actions of our government. What has this society become? Am I mourning the death of the Republic while others are celebrating the birth of whatever our nation has become?
We should never forget that a government that ceases to act on behalf of the people becomes an enemy of the people. This is just as true today as it was in 1776 - when our Founding Fathers - those brave souls - proclaimed that enough was enough.
Monday, September 29, 2008
How a Republic becomes an Empire - ROME v. US
Beginning October 1st, this WEDNESDAY, the US Army will assign The 3rd Infantry’s 1st Brigade Combat Team on ACTIVE DUTY inside the United States - dubbing it "Consequence Management Response Force" operating in the United States - operating out of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.
This combat brigade has spent 35 of the last 60 months operating in heavy combat in Iraq - now they are being stationed as part of an active combat operation within the United States.
Though this is not the first time an active operation has taken place within the borders of US proper, this is the first time that an unprecedented active and permanent deployment of US combat troops has been deployed in the United States.
I cannot help but recall the early days of the Roman Empire, when defending the Republic was the mantra of those in command, however Rome became a place of martial law and eventually an Empire under the Caesar's. Roman law stated that no Roman Army could cross the Rubicon River - Yet, when Julius Caesar marched his army south and into Rome, a new age began in which Rome ceased to be a Republic and set the stage for the Roman Empire.
Yet, Caesar's deployment of combat troops to Rome was not the only act that ended the Republic - it was Caesar's bribery of the troops, the citizens, and the wealthy with gold from Rome's treasury. These payments came as goodwill signs that Caesar was intent on ruling on behalf of the people - yet the Civil Wars that ensued ensured the death of the Roman Republic.
Parallel to the United States in the new century... After the attacks of September 11th, Homeland Security was created, giving rise to the day-to-day existence of authoritarian government officials in our daily lives. This is the sign of the unrest of the nation - just as the unrest existed with the growing concerns in Ancient Rome when Pompey and Julius broke their friendship. The United States handed out a $600 per person payment from "the treasury" to show a sign of goodwill to the Plebs - just as Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar did on many occasion to ensure domestic jubulance. The United States Federal Government has taken an authoritarian stance towards the states, and the citizens, now stationing active combat troops inside the United States and tramping on state's rights - just as Julius Caesar stationed troops inside of the city walls of Rome, as well as throughout the countryside, instituting martial law and military authoritarianism.
Conspiracy Theory or not? There are now too many coincidences for a conservative libertarian like myself to ignore. Without discrediting myself, I want to take a moment and question the intentions of this United States Government.
1. Presidential Directive 51 - In order to maintain an "Enduring Constitutional Government", the President has the sole power (where it used to take an act of congress) to take over all functions of the government in the event of a "catastrophic event" to provide "leadership visible to the nation and the world". This gives the President absolute power to mandate certain operations to ensure "stability" as he sees fit.
2. Telephone Tapping Infrastructure - Since 9/11, the US government has been conducting a surveillance of telephone conversations in search of intelligence regarding terrorism in the United States. This tapping debate was led by the battle cry "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" - regardless of the implications to civil liberties. One thing that was not also considered was the building of the infrastructure to tap the general public. Now the infrastructure exists to listen to, and record every conversation via telephone services - less Blackberry because Canada refuses to cooperate with tapping.
3. Inflation and Distraction - The value of the US dollar has decreased by 96% since the inception of the Federal Reserve, the Federal Debt has gone from $0 to nearly $10 Trillion in the same amount of time (and has continued to increase an average of $2.32 billion per day since September 28, 2007!) , and the Federal Government is making no plans to stop spending (especially under Obama). The taxpayers of the United States seems not too concerned about this debt, as we have been cultured into a "credit" state of mind, and distracted by commercialism and reality TV constantly demanding that we "watch and vote" - as if it made some sort of a difference in the world! The burden of the debt is over $30,000 per US citizen - more than a years pay for most Americans. Such a burden forces the citizenry into a state of "constant work" in order to survive - thus removing the mind of the masses.
4. Digital Television Infrastructure - Beginning Feb 2009 all televisions will be on a digital signal, allowing interactive information sharing between the TV and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This allows, initially, an exact tracking of what each TV is watching - trends, stations, etc... even volume information may be available as digital TVs are asked to deliver certain information to the Federal Agency. In the future, as Orwellian as it may seem, Televisions may be constructed with a voice and/or picture recording device (so you can webcam on your tv) - however, those cameras would also be able to be activated through a digital signal - thus monitoring conversations of every household in America.
5. Intersection Cameras - National Surveillance is already underway. I challenge my readers to go to any Colorado intersection and NOT see a camera. I am not just talking about the Red Light Ticket Cams - I am talking about "traffic cameras" used for general surveillance of motorists. Every minute of every day these cameras are active - and it is not much of a jump to suppose that these cameras can be networked or operated by a federal/national agency. Add to those cameras the ATM cameras across the nation, and other cameras hardwired to the net, and tie in facial recognition technology (I got scanned at the Denver Airport two weeks ago by a facial recognition booth on my way to security) and the government can track you anywhere at any time.
6. FEMA camps - As a part of REX 84 (Readiness Exercise 1984), in which the Federal Government has planned for the mass arrest and detention of US citizens in the case of civil unrest, the FEMA camps are those mass detention centers. This Link provides a list of the FEMA camp locations - including the refurbished Trinidad Camp in Colorado where German and Italian Americans were detained during WWII and the Canon City Japanese internment camp. Don't forget about the corresponding FEMA Coffins - now this may be conspiracy theorist garbage, but I have to question the existence of millions of coffin liners popping up near the FEMA camps.
7. Active Deployment of Combat Troops - The deployment of combat troops for the purpose of putting down civil unrest within the United States is the last reality of the Authoritarian Society in which we now find ourselves.
Call me crazy, or a Conspiracy Theorist, or call me a realist and a patriot for questioning the actions taken by the Federal Government. As we move further toward a nationalized marketplace and a Federal Authoritarian government, I am left contemplating the words of the late Benjamin Franklin: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both"
What ARE the intentions of the US government?
I don't want to have the children of tomorrow's generation look back on this time and ask "Why didn't anybody do anything?"
This combat brigade has spent 35 of the last 60 months operating in heavy combat in Iraq - now they are being stationed as part of an active combat operation within the United States.
Though this is not the first time an active operation has taken place within the borders of US proper, this is the first time that an unprecedented active and permanent deployment of US combat troops has been deployed in the United States.
I cannot help but recall the early days of the Roman Empire, when defending the Republic was the mantra of those in command, however Rome became a place of martial law and eventually an Empire under the Caesar's. Roman law stated that no Roman Army could cross the Rubicon River - Yet, when Julius Caesar marched his army south and into Rome, a new age began in which Rome ceased to be a Republic and set the stage for the Roman Empire.
Yet, Caesar's deployment of combat troops to Rome was not the only act that ended the Republic - it was Caesar's bribery of the troops, the citizens, and the wealthy with gold from Rome's treasury. These payments came as goodwill signs that Caesar was intent on ruling on behalf of the people - yet the Civil Wars that ensued ensured the death of the Roman Republic.
Parallel to the United States in the new century... After the attacks of September 11th, Homeland Security was created, giving rise to the day-to-day existence of authoritarian government officials in our daily lives. This is the sign of the unrest of the nation - just as the unrest existed with the growing concerns in Ancient Rome when Pompey and Julius broke their friendship. The United States handed out a $600 per person payment from "the treasury" to show a sign of goodwill to the Plebs - just as Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar did on many occasion to ensure domestic jubulance. The United States Federal Government has taken an authoritarian stance towards the states, and the citizens, now stationing active combat troops inside the United States and tramping on state's rights - just as Julius Caesar stationed troops inside of the city walls of Rome, as well as throughout the countryside, instituting martial law and military authoritarianism.
Conspiracy Theory or not? There are now too many coincidences for a conservative libertarian like myself to ignore. Without discrediting myself, I want to take a moment and question the intentions of this United States Government.
1. Presidential Directive 51 - In order to maintain an "Enduring Constitutional Government", the President has the sole power (where it used to take an act of congress) to take over all functions of the government in the event of a "catastrophic event" to provide "leadership visible to the nation and the world". This gives the President absolute power to mandate certain operations to ensure "stability" as he sees fit.
2. Telephone Tapping Infrastructure - Since 9/11, the US government has been conducting a surveillance of telephone conversations in search of intelligence regarding terrorism in the United States. This tapping debate was led by the battle cry "if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear" - regardless of the implications to civil liberties. One thing that was not also considered was the building of the infrastructure to tap the general public. Now the infrastructure exists to listen to, and record every conversation via telephone services - less Blackberry because Canada refuses to cooperate with tapping.
3. Inflation and Distraction - The value of the US dollar has decreased by 96% since the inception of the Federal Reserve, the Federal Debt has gone from $0 to nearly $10 Trillion in the same amount of time (and has continued to increase an average of $2.32 billion per day since September 28, 2007!) , and the Federal Government is making no plans to stop spending (especially under Obama). The taxpayers of the United States seems not too concerned about this debt, as we have been cultured into a "credit" state of mind, and distracted by commercialism and reality TV constantly demanding that we "watch and vote" - as if it made some sort of a difference in the world! The burden of the debt is over $30,000 per US citizen - more than a years pay for most Americans. Such a burden forces the citizenry into a state of "constant work" in order to survive - thus removing the mind of the masses.
4. Digital Television Infrastructure - Beginning Feb 2009 all televisions will be on a digital signal, allowing interactive information sharing between the TV and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. This allows, initially, an exact tracking of what each TV is watching - trends, stations, etc... even volume information may be available as digital TVs are asked to deliver certain information to the Federal Agency. In the future, as Orwellian as it may seem, Televisions may be constructed with a voice and/or picture recording device (so you can webcam on your tv) - however, those cameras would also be able to be activated through a digital signal - thus monitoring conversations of every household in America.
5. Intersection Cameras - National Surveillance is already underway. I challenge my readers to go to any Colorado intersection and NOT see a camera. I am not just talking about the Red Light Ticket Cams - I am talking about "traffic cameras" used for general surveillance of motorists. Every minute of every day these cameras are active - and it is not much of a jump to suppose that these cameras can be networked or operated by a federal/national agency. Add to those cameras the ATM cameras across the nation, and other cameras hardwired to the net, and tie in facial recognition technology (I got scanned at the Denver Airport two weeks ago by a facial recognition booth on my way to security) and the government can track you anywhere at any time.
6. FEMA camps - As a part of REX 84 (Readiness Exercise 1984), in which the Federal Government has planned for the mass arrest and detention of US citizens in the case of civil unrest, the FEMA camps are those mass detention centers. This Link provides a list of the FEMA camp locations - including the refurbished Trinidad Camp in Colorado where German and Italian Americans were detained during WWII and the Canon City Japanese internment camp. Don't forget about the corresponding FEMA Coffins - now this may be conspiracy theorist garbage, but I have to question the existence of millions of coffin liners popping up near the FEMA camps.
7. Active Deployment of Combat Troops - The deployment of combat troops for the purpose of putting down civil unrest within the United States is the last reality of the Authoritarian Society in which we now find ourselves.
Call me crazy, or a Conspiracy Theorist, or call me a realist and a patriot for questioning the actions taken by the Federal Government. As we move further toward a nationalized marketplace and a Federal Authoritarian government, I am left contemplating the words of the late Benjamin Franklin: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both"
What ARE the intentions of the US government?
I don't want to have the children of tomorrow's generation look back on this time and ask "Why didn't anybody do anything?"
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Heller Revisited - Under the Obama Court
The year is 2011.
Heller v. DC has long since been decided... Now the Supreme Court is witness to Michelle Obama v. United States - an historic case in which the First Lady of the United States has brought a federal suit against the US "on behalf of the people" to protect us from gun crimes plaguing inner cities and "polluting our society".
The case has been brought before the new faces of the Court.
John Paul Stevens retired after 35 years on the court, replaced by Associate Justice William Jefferson Clinton.
Anthony Kennedy retired after 22 years, leaving the swing vote seat open to replacement by a Ginsburg-esque radical left justice.
Antonin Scalia retired after 25 years, opening the door for the newest face of the court... another Obama appointed Ginsburg-esque justice.
The court is now comprised of 3 Conservative/Orignalist justices and 6 Liberal Marxist justices. The court's structure is the perfect setting for long lasting legacy of the Obama Presidency.
The opinion of the court falls along these lines, 6-3 in favor of Michelle Obama, stating that the intent of the founders was to provide security for the Citizens of the United States, "A security that is provided by the offices of the government and the military established to defend and protect the United States." The opinion further states that "the private ownership of firearms is a direct threat to the stability and security of the United States and the powers inherent to the offices and military of the government." The Liberal controlled Congress and Senate pass sweeping legislation calling for the upholding of the Court's decision, mandating an immediate mass-collection and destruction of all private firearms. The legislation passes into federal law after President Barack H. Obama signs the bill, with his proud wife standing immediately to his left.
On the streets of America, private citizens are instantly labelled as criminals. Scenes of violence erupt across the nation as police efforts to confiscate weapons are met with resistance.
States are forced to mobilize the national guard to aid in the efforts of disarming the populace.
As the resistance in America is crushed, the federal government, under Obama, announces a success in unifying the people of America in a crime free society.
*****
Of course, this is a fictional scene, but one that is eerily possible under a Socialist minded Marxist like Barack Obama. Barack Obama will be a political power for the state, over the individual... which is touted on his website: My.BarackObama.com.
Never before has a Leftist been so close to victory in American Executive Politics... There have been many Democrats or Center-Left leaders, like Bill Clinton, but Obama promises to lead this country with a Socialist fist... Some would classify this as hype or panic... I would suggest it is a prognostication of things to come under a Marxist leader in America - The end of Liberty... Change, indeed!
Heller v. DC has long since been decided... Now the Supreme Court is witness to Michelle Obama v. United States - an historic case in which the First Lady of the United States has brought a federal suit against the US "on behalf of the people" to protect us from gun crimes plaguing inner cities and "polluting our society".
The case has been brought before the new faces of the Court.
John Paul Stevens retired after 35 years on the court, replaced by Associate Justice William Jefferson Clinton.
Anthony Kennedy retired after 22 years, leaving the swing vote seat open to replacement by a Ginsburg-esque radical left justice.
Antonin Scalia retired after 25 years, opening the door for the newest face of the court... another Obama appointed Ginsburg-esque justice.
The court is now comprised of 3 Conservative/Orignalist justices and 6 Liberal Marxist justices. The court's structure is the perfect setting for long lasting legacy of the Obama Presidency.
The opinion of the court falls along these lines, 6-3 in favor of Michelle Obama, stating that the intent of the founders was to provide security for the Citizens of the United States, "A security that is provided by the offices of the government and the military established to defend and protect the United States." The opinion further states that "the private ownership of firearms is a direct threat to the stability and security of the United States and the powers inherent to the offices and military of the government." The Liberal controlled Congress and Senate pass sweeping legislation calling for the upholding of the Court's decision, mandating an immediate mass-collection and destruction of all private firearms. The legislation passes into federal law after President Barack H. Obama signs the bill, with his proud wife standing immediately to his left.
On the streets of America, private citizens are instantly labelled as criminals. Scenes of violence erupt across the nation as police efforts to confiscate weapons are met with resistance.
States are forced to mobilize the national guard to aid in the efforts of disarming the populace.As the resistance in America is crushed, the federal government, under Obama, announces a success in unifying the people of America in a crime free society.
*****
Of course, this is a fictional scene, but one that is eerily possible under a Socialist minded Marxist like Barack Obama. Barack Obama will be a political power for the state, over the individual... which is touted on his website: My.BarackObama.com.
This group is for self-proclaimed Marxists/Communists/Socialists for the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency. By no means is he a true Marxist, but under Karl Marx's writings we are to support the party with the best interests of the mobilization of the proletariat. Though the Democratic Socialists of America or the Communist Patty of America may have more Socialististic values, it is pointless to vote for these candidates due to the fact that there is virtually no chance they will be elected on a National level.Hat tip to The Rocky Mountain Right for the link to the Obama Page and the quote from the page.
Never before has a Leftist been so close to victory in American Executive Politics... There have been many Democrats or Center-Left leaders, like Bill Clinton, but Obama promises to lead this country with a Socialist fist... Some would classify this as hype or panic... I would suggest it is a prognostication of things to come under a Marxist leader in America - The end of Liberty... Change, indeed!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Breaking News – 2nd Amendment Upheld by Supreme Court
The first ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the right for private citizens to own weapons was handed down today, marking a turning point in the NRA’s struggle. The question was always whether the amendment was intended to be defined as the State having rights to train a militia and keep arms on their behalf, or if the citizens armed are the militia, and their private use and knowledge of the weapons served to better the protection of the state and the self.The ruling was 5-4, along “party” lines, that the amendment should be understood that it is the right of a private citizen to own a weapon, and that laws to that effect cannot infringe on their ownership or assembly status.
The NRA finally gets a win. Fox News suggests that the NRA will now bring suits against other large cities that have a ban on hand-guns as well. This is a great day for the personal responsibility and liberty of a free society and free man (or woman).
The opinion of the court reads, in part, {The Second Amendment is naturally divided into two parts: its prefatory clause and its operative clause. The former does not limit the latter grammatically, but rather announces a purpose. The Amendment could be rephrased, “Because a well regulated Militia is necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.” }
It continues with a very well written opinion breaking apart the language, and how it is used throughout the rest of the document, in an attempt to fully define and interpret this Right accurately:
1. Operative Clause.
a. “Right of the People.” The first salient feature of the operative clause is that it codifies a “right of the people.” The unamended Constitution and the Bill of Rights use the phrase “right of the people” two other times, in the First Amendment’s Assembly-and-Petition Clause and in the Fourth Amendment’s Search-and-Seizure Clause. The Ninth Amendment uses very similar terminology (“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people”). All three of these instances unambiguously refer to individual rights, not “collective” rights, or rights that may be exercised only through participation in some corporate body.
b. “Keep and bear Arms.” We move now from the holder of the right—“the people”—to the substance of the right: “to keep and bear Arms.” - a “right” (singular) rather than “rights” (plural), implying a right of an individual, not the right of a plural state militia.
c. Meaning of the Operative Clause. Putting all of these textual elements together, we find that they guarantee the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation. This meaning is strongly confirmed by the historical background of the Second Amendment.We look to this because it has always been widely understood that the Second Amendment, like the First and Fourth Amendments, codified a pre-existing right. The very text of the Second Amendment implicitly recognizes the pre-existence of the right and declares only that it “shall not be infringed.”
There could not be a more historic event regarding personal freedoms from the government. The court, which I am often critical of, has made the correct decision today, fully understanding that there is a separation from what was being created to what was being agreed to… that the creation of this union was not intended to infringe on rights that free men already had in existence.
Let me state clearly, that through all the doom and gloom I hear about this country, moments like this are a shining beacon of hope… there is still hope in my heart that this country will remain a country of freedom and liberty.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
It happened in the USSR...
When the USSR collapsed in the late 80's, the Cold War ended. The United States was filled with joy of the end of the CW, but new threats began to arise.
Those threats were rogue states, unstable nations, and civil wars throughout the old soviet republics.
What would it look like if the US government, and it's complacent voters, continues the gap between the people and the leaders... What would it look like if the gas prices reached $4.00 a gallon and drove the nation into an economic panic, as the lower and middle class could no longer afford the basic necessities. What would it look like if the lower and middle class was systematically uprooted from their homes because of government mingling in the private housing market?
What would it look like if the US ceased to be a union of peaceful states, and instead became a series of independent states fighting for resources enough to survive?
It is not crazy... we have done it before... and as the people are less and less able to thrive, let alone survive, we march forward along the same path that destroyed the Soviet Union.
We are truly at a pivotal point in our nation's history... and our nation's existence.
Here is an interesting timeline starting in 2008... it is from a video game, but is hardly unlikely.
Those threats were rogue states, unstable nations, and civil wars throughout the old soviet republics.
What would it look like if the US government, and it's complacent voters, continues the gap between the people and the leaders... What would it look like if the gas prices reached $4.00 a gallon and drove the nation into an economic panic, as the lower and middle class could no longer afford the basic necessities. What would it look like if the lower and middle class was systematically uprooted from their homes because of government mingling in the private housing market?
What would it look like if the US ceased to be a union of peaceful states, and instead became a series of independent states fighting for resources enough to survive?
It is not crazy... we have done it before... and as the people are less and less able to thrive, let alone survive, we march forward along the same path that destroyed the Soviet Union.
We are truly at a pivotal point in our nation's history... and our nation's existence.
Here is an interesting timeline starting in 2008... it is from a video game, but is hardly unlikely.
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