Why do we call acts of political secession independence? When we speak of these things, we do so from the perspective of “the people” in contrast to the state. From whence lies the dependence of which we are now independent?
Tag: independence
Patriotism, an Abomination
How exactly does “celebrating freedom” equate to swearing allegiance to a republic (which is a form of “government,” or ruling class)? Well, it doesn’t. And, for those who dare to look, this is where the true, diabolical nature of “patriotism” starts to rear its ugly head.
Taking Independence Day Seriously
If you really valued independence, you wouldn’t fly the gang colors on Independence Day. Instead you would demand independence from all such gangs. You wouldn’t pledge allegiance to any gang, nor to any gang’s Holy Pole Quilt. You would reject such things as the fawning behavior of a slave.
Our Trip to Ireland, Continued
The grain is in the wood before the sawyer gets to it. It doesn’t matter how you crosscut or rip or turn it, the grain reveals itself, predictably but in an unique way. The history of the wood is there to see. Such is the spirit of the Irishman and the Irishwoman. The Túatha is part of how the stock will be seen, no matter how it is turned.
“Spurious Quotes”
It bothers me when a quote which is truthful is doubted just because the “famous person” the quote is attributed to may not have ever said it.
Truth isn’t propped up by the person who says it; people are raised up by the truth they speak.
Why the Schism?
The debates and arguments continue. Both sides can’t understand why their opponents can’t see their own point of view. The battles between Progressives/Liberals and Libertarian/Conservatives are the most vociferous. Why does such contentiousness exist? Here is my analysis. It boils down to some specific realizations.
A Voluntaryist Begins The Proust Questionnaire
I recently encountered the Proust Questionnaire. It is a regular feature in “Vanity Fair” magazine, where it is answered by a guest celebrity. When I got about halfway through I thought, “Voila! This would be a good architecture for an interview with a very objective voluntaryist.”
Social Norms, Moral Judgments, and Irrational Parenting
Our current norm of extreme protection of children has become, unfortunately, not just a social norm, but a moral norm. If you don’t watch your child (or have some other responsible guard watching) every minute, you are, in the eyes of many people, doing something immoral. How can we change this crippling social norm and get back to common sense?
Anarchy and Islam
I’ve met Muslims of every school of anarchist thought from anarcho-socialists to national-anarchists. Prominent among them are Hakim Bay’s “ontological anarchism” and Yakoub Islam’s “post-colonial anarcho-pacifism” but this is my story.
Question Authority
Ultimately, the questioning of authority is not only a good thing. It is a necessary thing. It is the backbone of freedom. Cherish the right to protest. Cherish the right to be different. Cherish the right to question authority.