What is "being a cop" all about?

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Ask a cop, or someone who supports cops, what being a cop is all about, and you may get something along the lines of "cops protect and serve the people, being the thin blue line of protection between the citizen and the guys who want to harm them".

That sounds good. I've heard them parrot some version of this all my life. It's happy "Officer Friendly" propaganda.

But, what do cops actually do?

They enforce "laws", most of which do nothing but violate the life, liberty, and property to prop up the opinions of politicians and lawyers.

Cops are the guys who most often end up harming "citizens" exactly like those they pretend to protect you from. Trading one bad guy for another isn't a net benefit. And when you are forced to finance the bad guy's career to your own detriment, that's even worse.

Cops have been given special privileges due to their connections. They believe their "job" entitles them to extra "rights"- rights which don't exist and therefore can't be granted by anyone to anyone.

I don't "need" cops and neither do you. If you believe you do, you might want to hide somewhere soft and warm so that reality doesn't scare you further.

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Citizen

Dictionary.com defines "citizen" as someone who "owes allegiance to its [sic] government and is entitled to its protection". 

It sounds more like a description of slavery. Let's check that out: 

"Slave"- someone who "owes allegiance to its master and is entitled to his protection". 

That sure sounds like what they are describing. 

The reality is "citizen" is just a fancy word for "slave".

"Owe allegiance"? You owe government-- and obviously when they use the word "government" they mean State-- nothing but contempt, regardless of which government you refer to.

The only thing you can be "entitled" to from any government is to be left alone. To not be violated in life, liberty, or property. It's the same thing everyone owes you. 

Government can't protect anyone, "citizen"/slave or not.

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"Everyone else does it..."

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Is it OK to do wrong, just because other people do?

Maybe for you, but not for me. I live by the Zero Aggression Principle (ZAP) whether you do or not. It doesn't matter, and your choice doesn't affect mine. The ZAP is a promise from me to you about how I will interact with you; to tell you what to expect. It doesn't obligate you.

If you choose to initiate force or violate my property, you might also take my adherence to the ZAP as a warning.

But, just because most other people choose to initiate force and violate private property-- either in person or by sending bullies to do it on their behalf-- I had better just suck it up and become the same as they are. Right?

Liberty has an uphill battle for certain. Until people actually understand the issues, they'll keep straying off-course in the same sad ways. "Statism is bad... unless it is doing something I want it to do, then you have to go along. Pay your taxes, have your property rights violated in the name of National Borders and such. You might allow people on your property who I don't like. It's for your own good, and anarchy is Utopian, and no one really lives that way. Etc. etc. etc."

It's almost enough to make a guy say "Screw it, Just go with the crowd. Eat babies, or whatever, because everyone else says it is necessary, and no one else will ever agree with you that it's wrong."

Almost... but not quite.

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Today’s counterfeit laws not ethical

(My Clovis News Journal column for July 15, 2016 I was really, seriously unhappy with the headline assigned to this one, and got in trouble with the editor for saying so on Facebook. But I am still unhappy with it.)

"You are the government" is one of the most useful lies ever crafted by the bullies who mean to enslave you.

If you are to blame, you can't blame anyone else. If a "law" makes gun ownership or drug use or driving without a seat belt "illegal", you can't really blame the people who wrote the "law", nor their hired guns who violently enforce it. It's your own fault.

But, truth gets in the way.

If I were government, I could fire all legislators, police, and bureaucrats, because they'd work for me. I could abolish all the harmful laws they have created. I can't, because I am not the government.

If I were the government, no one would be violating you in the name of the law. Former enforcers would be paying restitution to everyone they've harmed through committing acts of enforcement.

If you vote, how often do you find yourself on the winning side? Even when your guy wins, do the politicians in power do what you want them to do? Not the "majority", but you, individually? Probably not very often.

It would be bad enough if their new laws were real laws, but none of them are. Haven't been for centuries. All recent laws are counterfeit "laws".

A counterfeit "law" looks like a real law. It is described in more or less precise language, by lawyers. It is recorded in a government office. Judges act as though it is binding. Officers will kill to enforce even the most minor and arbitrary of these "laws"- if you fail to instantly obey their every demand to the letter, or if you accidentally scare or confuse them while complying.

A counterfeit "law" has no ethical basis. It attempts to forbid or control something other than the use of violence against the non-violent, or the violation of individual property rights. Often, counterfeit "law" acts as though a collective-- society or the state-- can have rights which can be violated.

I don't want any counterfeit "laws" enforced on my behalf. Not one.

So pretending that I am in any way the government, doing what I know to be wrong by violating your individual rights, is a lie. Even if I were on the winning side in an election, it isn't going to change what government is or what it is doing.

You can't magically change wrong into right (or vice versa) by voting on it, nor by making up a law. And if I were the government, I wouldn't even try.

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Statists- making their own lives difficult since forever

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Why is it that so many people seem set on making so much extra trouble for themselves?

I'm not even necessarily speaking of those who seek out interpersonal "drama" when they don't have enough of it naturally. Although, they are of the same sort.

I'm talking about statists.

The world isn't perfect. There will be trouble whether you have a State and all its associated bullies and institutions or not. It's just the way it is. Some people are just bullies. If there's a State to join so they can bully in safety, the smart ones may choose that route. If there isn't, all the bullies will be freelance or form gangs that they don't call "government", but the actions remain the same. And, for the most part, the outcome does, too.

State or no State, you are going to have trouble. But with a State you get to pay extra for the thrill of being molested. You get to pay to build imposing buildings, huge office towers, fancy cars, guns (which they'll forbid you to own), weapons to be used to make enemies of people all across the globe (before being used against liberty on the streets of America by the Blue Line Gang welfare whores), and all manner of other things which will be used against your life, liberty, and property. By permitting a government to exist, you get bullied and robbed at least twice as much as you would otherwise.

So, why go to all the trouble of adding the layers of extra problems you get by supporting a State?

Anarchy is the natural state of human interactions. It's not perfect- nothing is. But why go to all the effort and expense to build an institution which will- at best- give the same results with a lot more trouble, rather than getting rid of all the extra nonsense and dealing with what trouble exists anyway by accepting reality?

I still think cowardice explains a lot.

What about you?

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Be the better person- reality is on your side

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Liberty lovers can be some of the very best people I've ever known. They stand with others, help others when they can. They reach a hand to people they don't know- statists even. They can be loving and inclusive. They can be generous to a fault, understanding, and compassionate.

I am proud to count myself among them, even as I can't hope to be half as inspiring as some are.

But... and if you've been around long you knew this was coming... liberty lovers, or, at least those who proclaim themselves to be lovers of liberty, can also be as bad as the statists they oppose.

I'm sure there are times I would be included here.

They can be unforgiving, inflexible, hypocritical, hateful, and aggressive. They can be arrogant and dismissive.

And that is a shame.

Why would anyone want to learn more about liberty with examples like that? If you're going to be miserable anyway, you can do that just fine without rejecting statism; by taking the easier route.

I am happy to report that the negative examples in the liberty crowd are greatly outnumbered by the shining examples of goodness. But the nasty guys seem to have an impact greater than those I would rather people see. They tend to be loud and get lots of attention- especially by statists who want to show how unreasonable liberty lovers are. The bad examples play right into the hands of the cowardly slavers.

It should be so easy to be a good person when you understand and love liberty. After all, you are on the right side- standing against everything negative and harmful. So, why does it seem so easy to fall into The Dark Side?

Well, I have some idea about that, based on my personal experience. I am only human and as a liberty lover, I end up dealing with a lot of statists.

Statists are infuriating. They are cowardly and want to violate everyone else to coddle their fears. They don't listen to logic and reason, but are ruled purely by emotion and propaganda. They don't want to be told that 2+2=4. and they won't pay attention when you try to show them how easy it is to demonstrate. They don't like it, so to them it simply isn't true. Or it doesn't matter one way or the other. It is easy to get angry and frustrated over their juvenile behavior.

But, you and I are the better people. I can't speak for you, but I want to be the reasonable one. The one not baited into a fight with a feces-flinging monkey. Because, even if I win the fight, I'm going to be left feeling very unhappy.

Life is too short for that.

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"Be afraid! Run away!"

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I guess I suffer from a terrible lack of fear.

Or, so some would have me believe.

Sure, there are some things I don't want to happen. One of the worst already has. There's something freeing in that, even though I'd give anything to have avoided it. I now know that the thing I always considered to be the absolute worst thing ever couldn't destroy me.

I take what measures I can to avoid bad things- but I know nothing can prevent them all. It's just the nature of reality. And I don't sit around consumed with fear.

I wish I had more money, but even without it I'll find a way to go on... or I won't. But if I don't, it won't be the lack of money that kills me. I may become socially unacceptable and living in a cave or a wikiup, but I don't worry about survival.

I try to be prepared for difficulties. I'm a bit of a "prepper". It's not out of fear, but just because it's fun, and has bailed me out of bad situations so many times that I know I'd be stupid to not be prepared. I've found that being prepared also de-fangs fear. And, like I said, it's FUN!

I don't like government or any of the bullies doing the will of those who call themselves government. But I don't fear them any more than I fear other bad guys. Or rabid wolves. They are dangers to be acknowledged, observed, avoided, and dealt with. But not feared.

I certainly don't fear the absence of The State (what most people mean when they use the word "government") or its gangs of armed bullies committing acts of enforcement to impose the opinions of "lawmakers" on me. Fearing the absence of such is as silly as fearing good health.

There's nothing special about me. I'm no once-in-a-century genius. I'm not brave, or particularly skilled. Maybe some would say my ignorance is causing me to not be afraid- that if I were smarter I would see why I should be scared all the time. I don't care to live in fear. That's not freedom or liberty.

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If you get any value from my writing, consider rewarding me with your financial support commensurate with the value you receive. You can also do that with zero cost to yourself by upvoting my posts on Steemit. This blog is in its 10th year now. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during these ten years, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the fear of saying something to get fired over. I really, desperately could use some more help; please don't depend on the same people always helping out.

In need of donations or subscriptions

I had this little PS on the last post...

I recently helped someone out, and now find myself in dire need of money. Again.I'm not complaining; I knew the bind this would put me in when I did it. If anyone is in the position to help, and wants to (yes, please meet both conditions, and never feel bad if you don't), please donate and/or subscribe today. This time, Paypal would be best for me. Thanks so much!

As it turns out, my situation is worse than I thought. Besides the money I thought I was going to need, I need $62.37 in the next day. (Note: This most dire need has been met. I'm leaving the post up for now, because I could really use more help.)

So, again, if you can help, and if you want to help, please donate or subscribe through Paypal.

Thank you.

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Hillary- worst among the horrible

(Previously posted to Patreon)

This is a bit of a break from my usual. Because this time I will talk politics.

I don't v*te, and I don't endorse candidates, so it really doesn't matter, but...
I dislike Hillary Clinton much more than I dislike any of the other candidates.

Part of that is because I have disliked her far longer than I have ever known of any of the other candidates.

You see, although I am not from Arkansas, I lived in Arkansas as Bill Clinton was climbing the political ladder. I have known people who were close to the Clintons during that time, and even a few who called the Clintons "friends", but even they said to NEVER trust either one of them.

I talked to Arkansas State Police officers who were on the governor's security detail. They universally hated and distrusted him. They told me tales about setting up "visits" of women who went to "meet" Clinton. I asked how they could stand being responsible for keeping him safe and alive. I told them to accidentally duck if anyone ever tried to "off" him. They just smiled.

I even met and visited with the amusing little man who interrupted Clinton's run as governor, causing Bill to run and hide when he found out he had lost the election. Unfortunately, he came back next time the office was up for grabs.

My dad worked for a big utility company during that time (Arkansas Power & Light), and had many brushes with Bill Clinton's minions forcing the company executives to favor those he wanted to get support from- to the point that when Bill Clinton said "don't shut off this person's electricity", the company executives would let certain favored folk have free electricity. Forever.

And, all during that time I remember miserable Hillary.

I remember what a nasty harpy Hillary was when she tore into people who called her "Hillary Clinton", insisting that she was "Hillary Rodham"- no "Clinton" at all.

She always came across as a hateful, lying, ill-tempered shrew. And my opinion of her has only gotten worse through the years.

I left Arkansas near the beginning of the 1992 presidential election, and was absolutely shocked to discover that people were actually serious about supporting Bill. Arkansas people joked that they wanted him elected president so he'd leave the state for good, but I never dreamed anyone outside of Arkansas took him seriously. I was also shocked that no one knew of the scandals that were common knowledge in Arkansas.

So, even though I dislike all the candidates to one extent or another, I have a special loathing for Hillary Clinton- just because I have been aware of her vile existence for many years longer than I have known of any of the others, and my impression of her has been universally negative. She is utterly disgusting in a way no other current candidate can even approach.

Now, I'll go wash my hands, since I feel dirty.

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I recently helped someone out, and now find myself in dire need of money. Again.
I'm not complaining; I knew the bind this would put me in when I did it. If anyone is in the position to help, and wants to (yes, please meet both conditions, and never feel bad if you don't), please donate and/or subscribe today. This time, Paypal would be best for me. Thanks so much!

Also, I'm not posting this blog post on Steemit for obvious reasons, but if you can, go there and upvote any of my stuff that you like. Thanks, again.

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"We have to have some kind of government..."

Yes, someone just said those words to me.

I wish I had been able to take the time to dig deeper into why he thought this was so, but my daughter was waiting in the car.

Is it because "we" have always had some kind of government, and he can't imagine life without it?

Is it because he believes that without government, society would collapse?

Is it because he believes there are things he (or others) requires which can only be provided by government?

Is it because of the "sunk cost fallacy"? Does he feel we have put too much time and effort into building governments to just give up on them now?

Is it because he feels he has paid into things like "social security" and "medicaid" and doesn't want to end them just before he begins to get something back?

I can think of a lot of things along those lines which might cause a person to believe they "need" government, but I don't know which (if any) applies in his case.

Is there some other reason a person would hold such an illogical belief?

I wish I had been able to talk to him to see exactly why he believes this.

You need to govern yourself. You need to defend yourself and your property from those who refuse to govern themselves. I hope you'll also defend others from violators when you have the opportunity. There are some projects too big or expensive for most people to do them alone, so cooperation is necessary. But none of that requires establishing an institution based upon theft and aggression.

(If you use Steemit, please go there and upvote this post.)

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Statism is unacceptable

There are many behaviors which are simply unacceptable.

Rape, murder, theft, kidnapping... the list includes all violations of life, liberty, and property. There is simply no justification for them that holds water.

Yet, there is a belief system which excuses all of these within certain parameters: statism.

In fact, without those behaviors, statism would cease to exist as anything real. It wouldn't be able to hurt anyone, except the person who holds the belief in statism in his own mind.

Statism is anti-social and uncivilized. If there were such a thing as a "social contract", statism would be the breaking of that contract.

Statism is just unacceptable.

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(If you use Steemit, please go there and upvote this post.)

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If you get any value from my writing, consider rewarding me with your financial support commensurate with the value you receive. You can also do that with zero cost to yourself by upvoting my posts on Steemit. This blog is in its 10th year now. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during these ten years, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the fear of saying something to get fired over. I really, desperately could use some more help; please don't depend on the same people always helping out.

Refusing to vote is vote for liberty

(My Clovis News Journal column for July 8, 2016)

In last week’s column valid alternatives were offered to those hesitant to waste a vote by endorsing an evil-- lesser or not. For some reason almost everyone focused on the point that it isn't smart to keep playing a game you know is rigged.

Overwhelmingly, the people demand their right to keep losing to known cheaters.

They apparently see voting as essential to liberty rather than recognizing it as a tool to empower the opposite.

Fair enough.

I won't demand you not vote; I'm saying if you vote, please don't stop there. Learn, think, and reason-- no matter where it leads. I hope you do this because I believe the more you know, the more you'll practice rightful liberty and the more you'll ignore politicians and their arbitrary opinions called "laws".

You don't need a professional bully class to control you and your neighbors, and I hope for the day you realize it. The truth will set you free.

Many people view the refusal to vote as "doing nothing", when nothing could be further from the truth. Back when most doctors believed bloodletting was an effective treatment, those who declined the disastrous procedure weren't doing nothing, they were refusing to make matters worse. It's an important distinction. Don't make matters worse by doing the wrong thing.

The refusal to sanction a politician, or an office for a politician to hold, is voting for liberty and independence in the most effective way. It is the individual withdrawal of consent.

If you are happy with how things are, vote and go home. Be content in the knowledge that you have helped ensure no real change can threaten your familiar world. If something unexpected crops up you can believe it wasn't your fault. You did your part to prop up the status quo.

If, however, you want things to change and bring a chance for a better life, there are plenty of options. Before, after, or instead of voting, get out there and tell people what you stand for, and what changes you want to bring to the world. Explain why the status quo is not good enough. Then show everyone you mean it by acting on it. Live as though the world were already as you advocate-- but be smart. There are those who will use laws to punish you for daring to threaten the status quo and the cozy police state they've built around you. And they vote.

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Taking government seriously. Seriously?

(If you use Steemit, please go there and upvote this post.)

Really, people. How can you take government seriously?

You have the clowns campaigning for president. An unhealthy old harpy, and an orange blowhard. Both statist to the rotten core.

Then, just look at your state and local politivermin. They are no better, and if you believe they are, it's a sign you are delusional.

Some around here are having an adolescent cat fight. I've seen two year-olds act more mature. Yet, somehow, people look to these morons for guidance, and believe their opinions have weight.

I absolutely don't get it.

Yes, I realize they are making up "laws" that their hired guns are perfectly willing to murder you over, and they steal your money and violate your property rights in myriad other ways, too. This means they are a mortal threat to your life, liberty, and property. So are other bad guys- they aren't special.

They fear you being armed, and so they do all they can to make sure you give up your weapons. The only reason anyone wants you unarmed is so they can do things to you (or your loved ones) which you wouldn't ever allow if you were able to resist. And you CAN resist if you have effective weaponry. Even if it only costs one bully his life before you are killed by his gang, it still cost that one. One less bully in the world, and probably at least one person will decide to pursue honest work rather than join the gang.

But you can also resist in other ways. As long as a government employee isn't looking directly at what you are doing right this minute, why comply? Nibble away at their power, and laugh away the respect your silly family, friends, and neighbors give them. They don't deserve it. They haven't earned it. Quite the opposite. They are ridiculous.

Treat them like the absurd fools they are. It's what they richly deserve, and have worked to earn.

And never forget: Government is nothing more or less than a club for drama queens who like to try to run other people's lives while spending stolen money.

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If you get any value from my writing, consider rewarding me with your financial support commensurate with the value you receive. You can also do that with zero cost to yourself by upvoting my posts on Steemit. This blog is in its 10th year now. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during these ten years, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the fear of saying something to get fired over. I really, desperately could use some more help; please don't depend on the same people always helping out.

Patriotism

(If you use Steemit, please go there and upvote this post.)

Blind patriotism is bizarre to me. And, I think all patriotism is blind.

"My country, right or wrong" is a great example of this. It means the person uttering this phrase values a "country" more than rightness. It means they are willing to overlook wrong- evil- just because of who is committing it. It is totally devoid of reason or ethics.

It's like supporting a person to the point of covering for that person, even if he is a mass-murdering psychopath. It's like supporting cops.

A country, which is to say a State (which is what most people mean when they say "government") can never really be right, since countries are built on a foundation of theft and other property violations, and are maintained through aggression.

But maybe they actually mean "America"; the people who live here on this landmass. Can "America" be anything? Individuals can, and enough individuals acting in concert can affect the flavor of America, but it's still just individuals. I have trouble seeing "America" as a unified thing, and even more trouble seeing a "country" as anything real and concrete. So, forget the country.

For the purpose of argument, I'll say I can support America when America does right.

But I don't excuse evil, no matter who is doing it.

I can discern between "America" and the US government, and in fact I see them as mortal enemies. Most people don't seem to make that distinction, just like they conflate "government" and "society". There are no good States. Not one. But don't hate the people suffering under those States. They are victims.

I don't support countries any more than I support any evil act- and governing others is one of the most evil acts you can commit.

If you support any country "no matter what", you do a disservice to the cause of rightness, and to your neighbors. Rational supporters insist on a standard of behavior. Rational supporters require no evil be committed.

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Also, just as an aside- You can't have "patriotism" without "riot". Interesting, that.

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If you get any value from my writing, consider rewarding me with your financial support commensurate with the value you receive. You can also do that with zero cost to yourself by upvoting my posts on Steemit. This blog is in its 10th year now. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during these ten years, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the fear of saying something to get fired over. I really, desperately could use some more help; please don't depend on the same people always helping out.

Here's an idea...

I'm going to be trying out Steemit-- cross-posting all my blogs there. At least to see how it works for me. It appears some people are making decent money over there, and I'd like to see if it can work for me.

This is a way you can apparently help me make money without spending a cent. Just upvote and share the blog links.

For a while I will include a link to the Steemit blog post with every blog post, and I would really appreciate if you'd go there and upvote everything I write.

Thank you, very much!

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Where did humans go wrong?

Somewhere along the way-- beginning long, long ago and continuing into the present day-- most humans got the bizarre notion that things which could never possibly be any of their business, were their business.

And not only that, but so critically "their business" that they should murder people over these things.

Things like...
Which invisible beings they believed in, and how they showed their belief.
Which things they ingested.
Who they loved and/or had sex with.
How they comprised their family units.
Which tools they owned, and how they carried them.
What they lived in, and what they surrounded their living quarters with.
What they traded, and how.
Where they were born, and what languages they spoke.
Which banners they flew.
Which symbols they revered.
Which songs they sang.
And all manner of other things.

I'm not even saying these things don't matter, but that they should be individual matters. Not subject to control by anyone else, and certainly not justification for murder!

All they should have been worried about the whole time was whether the other people initiated force or violated property or broke their agreements. But that was too sensible, and didn't allow for the rise of a bully class (who tried to make the non-issues become Big Issues).

It's really long past time for the human race to grow up and get over the childish desire to meddle and control. And we can- one individual at a time.

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If you get any value from my writing, consider rewarding me with your financial support commensurate with the value you receive. This blog is in its 10th year now. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during these ten years, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the fear of saying something to get fired over. I really, desperately could use some more help; please don't depend on the same people always helping out.

Claire Wolfe's new site!

I am guilty of assuming everyone was already aware... but then I realized I was wrong!

Claire Wolfe has a new website and has moved her "Living Freedom" blog.

Her site is still being worked on, but the blog is up and running full speed. Go check it out, and add it to your daily "must reads". You won't regret it.

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If you get any value from my writing, consider rewarding me with your financial support commensurate with the value you receive. This blog is in its 10th year now. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during these ten years, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the fear of saying something to get fired over. I really, desperately could use some more help; please don't depend on the same people always helping out.

Statists mis-define words

"Freedom is not a concept in which people can do anything they want, be anything they can be. Freedom is about authority. Freedom is about the willingness of every single human being to cede to lawful authority a great deal of discretion about what you do." ~ domestic enemy and terrorist, NYC's Rudolph Giuliani, March 1994

If you let the bad guys define your terms, you have lost.

They will always define words to put themselves on top. To make you do what they want.

They want you to believe anarchy is chaos and destruction, rather than self-ownership, personal responsibility, and voluntary interaction.

They want you to believe "liberty" means a government-granted privilege, rather than unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others.

They'll always define cops as the good guys, standing between you and horrible death- when cops are actually the worst gang out there, more likely to deliver your horrible death than any other evil gang.

They believe in silly things like "authority" and States and "laws". They worship flags and documents and people who do evil deeds for them.

And way too many people still listen to them and act as though they are the reasonable ones. They aren't. They are insane, ignorant, or evil. Or any combination of the three.

But, I know from personal experience some can be reached, in spite of the protests of those who don't believe they can. It has happened. Most of us were once statists, to one degree or another. If we got over it, so can others.

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If you get any value from my writing, consider rewarding me with your financial support commensurate with the value you receive. This blog is in its 10th year now. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during these ten years, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the fear of saying something to get fired over. I really, desperately could use some more help; please don't depend on the same people always helping out.

"Fighting" for liberty?

(Previously posted to Patreon)

Fighting for liberty may not be smart. Maybe, if you have to fight for it you're doing it wrong.

I just lost one of my online friends in this fight for liberty to suicide. There were several times he hinted at it, and anytime I saw it, I tried to make sure he knew he was valued and appreciated. Well, apparently I missed one time too many. I suspect it was something he was just going to do eventually, no matter what.

I never met him in person, but over the past few years we had discussed various liberty-related subjects online, often concerning the evil of "law enforcement" goons, and we had each other's backs when a kinda-sorta "famous" "pro-liberty" phony attacked us for calling him out. And he sent his condolences when my daughter died.

I do think he had the sort of personality that made things more difficult. To me he seemed rather volatile, and more than a little angry. And deeply frustrated.

I don't want to end up like him.

Liberty should be fun- in the way any worthwhile struggle can be fun. No, it's not going to be easy, because there are too many bullies out there trying to make sure it isn't easy. It's a fine line between knowing they can destroy your life and kill you, and giving them too much attention and power. They are serious, but shouldn't be taken too seriously, if you know what I mean.

You can fight with a smile on your face. You are on the right side. You have all the reason, logic, ethics, and morality on your side. The anti-liberty bigots have lost, but refuse to accept it and lie down. That just means they lose again and again, and are making themselves more tired. They just keep making fools of themselves, but aren't bright enough to know it.

So, if you fight, fight smart. Try to find the humor in it.

And, if the fight starts taking a toll, take a break. Find things to laugh about and enjoy. Stop and eat the flowers.

So, if you see me treating any violation of Rightful Liberty too lightly for your tastes, remember that sometimes you've got to smile, or point and laugh, at the bullies. If you let them rob you of all your joy, they have won.

Please don't hand them a victory they didn't earn.

And, if I can ever help you get through a bad spot in life, let me know.

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Helping others makes me happy

I love helping people. I really do. It's one of the happiest things I can do. I love the feeling of being useful and seeing how happy I can make people when I solve a problem they are facing. It doesn't have to be a life or death crisis, either.

I sometimes spend money I probably shouldn't spend just to be able to help people.

Very recently I was able to loan a back up battery to someone whose phone was dying so she could talk to her son in the midst of a problem. I also have adapters so my back up battery (actually, the USB cord) will fit other people's phones if theirs aren't the normal mini USB.

A couple of weeks ago I was able to help someone who couldn't get their car door to latch. I lost a tiny bit of blood with that one, but I felt wonderful that I was able to solve a problem. (And almost amazed that I knew how to solve a car-related problem.)

And, this is why I educate people about liberty. Liberty helps. It solves problems. Liberty makes me happy, even though it doesn't create Utopia. Sharing liberty makes me happy, and I want others to be happy, too.

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If you get any value from my labors, consider rewarding me with your financial support. This blog is in its 10th year now. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during these ten years, and believe I have more to contribute, help me stay online. I really, desperately could use some more help; please don't depend on the same people always stepping up.