The Virtual Campaign

In this presidential campaign, I have somewhat insulated myself from the madness. I haven't yet gone out on big "meet the voters" type events. Mainly because there hasn't been a big demand for me to do so. Also funds are severely limited, so I will save my traveling for when it is necessary. So for now my campaign remains mainly virtual. This doesn't mean I do not interact with the public. If you have questions or comments, let me know.

To once again state my reasons for running for president: I want to be president because I don't like the direction America is headed. I see that Republicans and Democrats actually don't work against one another, but both head toward a police state as fast as they can without alerting most Americans to what they are doing. I want to stop this trend. I want to return the Costitution and Bill of Rights to their legitimate place as the highest law in the land; implemented as written, not as "interpreted". I want to reduce the impact of government in our lives. If you do not commit a real crime, government would be completely out of your life. People should not fear their government; governments should fear their people. If government employees overstep their authority, they would be held accountable in accordance with the principle that more authority carries more responsibility. FBI snipers who murder would not be able to slide off into anonymity. ATF agents who burn churches would face juries of fully informed jurors. Ninja-suited cops who kick in doors in the middle of the night, warrant or not, would face the same consequenses as any other armed intruder. These acts would not be tolerated during my administration, but they happen every day in this and former US administrations. There is no statute of limitation on murder. State sponsored murderers should always remember that fact. Current corrupt administrations may continue to protect them. A possible future Constitutional administration will hunt their kind down to hand out cold justice.

Avoiding Mistakes When "Ruling"

Here is a lighter entry than normal. If I were running for "Evil Overlord" instead of president, here is a handy reference that I could use to avoid some common mistakes. Enjoy.

Peter's Evil Overlord List

Government Still Out of Control

The recent murder-by-cop of Kathryn Johnston and the arrest (kidnapping) of Hollis Wayne Fincher are just two examples of government out of control. Make no mistake, government should be controlled. Tightly controlled. If you don't think the government agents plant whatever evidence they require to "justify" their murders and kidnappings, then you just are not paying attention. Then, when they get caught, the government wants to use the money stolen from the productive Americans to pay for their defense. Either that, or the "authorities" keep repeating the magic words "We found the shooting to be justified" or "we were following up on a tip" or some other nonsense and the people quickily forget about the victims. I do not believe in capital punishment except at the scene of the crime, at the hands of the intended victim or a rescuer, but the murderers of Kathryn Johnston should never again be free in society to hurt anyone else. "If it saves only one life...." I would rather she had become another Cory Maye than a martyr, but the reality is that anyone defending their home is a hero. The insanely evil "War on Drugs" and "War on Guns" keep piling up the bodies. When will it stop? When we make it stop. It is time to end the madness.

"American Indians"

We all remember the Pilgrims and Indians from the Thanksgiving stories of our childhood. I always identified much more with the natives than I did with the pilgrims. I have never been very pilgrim-like. And before anyone gets upset at my use of the name "indian" when I refer to the aboriginal North American people, I do realize that is a poor name. Such are the perils of common usage. Regardless of what I call them, I have great respect for all of their cultures, even if I disagree with some specifics. No one can justify what the US government did to them in the name of progress. On a forum I am a member of, someone posting as FreedomMonkey made this remark about the power of government to destroy a culture: "it took less than two generations to take some of the fiercest individualists on this continent (the Lakota, Cheyenne, etc.) and break them down and domesticate them. Kill the leaders, destroy any oustanding individuals, take their children away, destroy their traditions and make them utterly dependent upon socialist handouts and gov't bureaucrats." I agree. It always saddens me to see the old photographs of the indian children with their "white man" haircuts and clothes being taught to be "civilized" at some "indian school". I don't want any do-gooders interfering with my culture,and I do not want any do-gooders interfering with anyone else's culture either. Live (by the ZAP) and let live. Happy Thanksgiving Day.

Ninety-Two Year-Old Woman Murdered

A ninety-two year-old woman has been murdered in Atlanta. She lived in a high-crime area and when a gang started trying to break into her home of 17 years, she began shooting at them. She hit 3 of them, but not fatally, before they kicked in the door and murdered her in cold blood. These murderers usually wear badges while they commit their atrocities. This is just business as usual for "our noble drug-warriors". Murdering Americans to keep Americans safe. Is this what we want America to be? It is time to take the power away from the armed murderers of the DEA and local militarized narcotics agencies. The report on CNN Headline News made a big deal about the fact that the murderers were "alert" at the hospital. Who cares? They killed a woman. The "authorities" call the shooting "justified" because she shot at them first. If they had been obeying America's highest laws (the Constitution and the Bill of Rights) in the first place, she would not have needed to shoot at them. I only wish she had been a better shot with a more effective weapon.

Prejudices; Old and New

Back when I erroneously thought of myself as a conservative I held racist views and beliefs. I never really thought about it other than feeling it was required. After all, it is obvious that the races are different, and that means one must be better, right? Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Then there was the conservative requirement to dislike or even hate homosexuals, although some claimed to only hate the homosexuality, but to love the "sinner". It didn't look that way to me. I have seen the destruction of this deviant mindset within my own family.
After waking up to my own "libertarianism" I realized that my only enemies are those who actively try to enslave me or those who sit aside and pretend that all is well while governments the world over try to crush individual liberty. People are not defined by their skin color, their religion, or their sexuality. They are defined by their actions. Behave as a friend and I will treat you as a friend. Not everyone is a friend, however. Those who work to implement the US police state have declared war on me, my friends, and my family. This has led to a new prejudice in me. Anyone who wears the badge of government in any form is assumed to be an enemy until or unless he or she proves otherwise. I suppose it is unfortunate and possibly wrong for me to feel this way, but look who is forcing the fight. I do not ask for this. All I ask for myself and others is freedom from coercion. Government refuses to play nice.

Freedom is a Threat to the US

Attorney Criminal - or is it General? - Alberto Gonzales says that those of us who are aware that he is destroying freedom are a grave threat to US security. Isn't that funny. The security interests of the US are counter to the interests of American freedom. Which one is more important? Which one should win out? Once again this demonstrates that the United States is the greatest danger America has ever faced. When a federal judge actually has the courage to declare a federal program unconstitutional we should all pay attention. Federal judges are not known for their ability to understand the Constitution where it puts limits on governmental power. It seems to confuse them in those instances. Sleezy Gonzales sees "liberty" as only applicable if it fits his view of "civic responsibility" and federal government security. Who among us is a "civic"? There is only personal responsibility. Where interests of the state and the individual clash, the individual must prevail. Everything is based on the individual; the building block of society.

Answer to Gene Chapman

Recently presidential candidate Gene Chapman commented on this blog that I was only stating libertarian ideology and not proposing any laws. He believes this will hurt me in any debates I participate in. I answered that the reason is what I have stated on my campaign page: I will not be advocating any new laws; only the repeal of existing counterfeit "laws". I wrote this as a campaign pledge over two years ago and I stand by it. If you are looking for someone who will advance a law for you, find another candidate. America is drowning in laws. A law never solved any problem, but laws have definately made many problems immeasureably worse. I am not calling for the abolition of all laws; only the ones which do not prohibit actual force or fraud. Laws against such things as murder, rape, theft, and kidnapping would obviously remain while victimless "crimes" would no longer be crimes. Only after all the legal pollution is cleaned up would I even consider any new law. Even then, the only law I can think of that I would like to see would be one putting teeth in the Bill of Rights and calling for specific penalties for any government employee at any level who infringes on Rights. Rights as written in the Bill of Rights, not as misinterpreted by the courts.

Why Do (most) Christians Support US Government?

One group of people who continue to disappoint me with their support and approval of the emerging US police state is Christians. (If this observation does not apply to you, then please understand that I am not speaking of you and your beliefs) You would think that any group based on the life and teachings of Jesus would recognize that the US government is way off track. Perhaps they do realize it. The main argument I have heard is that "God put our leaders where they are so it is His will. We must support our leaders." That is a load of nonsense. By that standard, it would be immoral to oppose Hitler or any other mass-murdering tyrant who comes to power. The other empty point that I hear made is that "Our government is the best government possible on Earth. Only a monarchy, with God as king, is better." Have the courage to work towards something better here and now. Don't accept a steaming dung heap just because you are not capable of visualizing anything better. I never read anywhere in the Bible where it stated that "Lo, establish amongst thyselves a Constitutional republic. Forsake all other forms of government until that day in which thy sleepeth." Even if that imaginary verse existed, we the people have not forsaken the Constitutional republic, but our corrupt, power hungry "leaders" have. You know that the government no longer feels bound by the limits of the Constitution or Bill of Rights. Don't support G.W. because he claims to be a Christian, either. You will know him by his fruit. This Bush bears the fruits of torture, wars of aggression, lies, and hate. What does that fruit say about him, spiritually? In Luke 22:36 while Jesus was waiting to be arrested, he told his disciples: "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." Read the entire passage to see for yourself that this is not taken out of context. He was telling his disciples to arm themselves against the enforcing arm of the government. This is the act of a rebel. When the government has "gone rogue" it is no longer moral or right to simply submit to them. You must choose your own path of resistance, though. Resistance to tyranny is God's will.

Patriotism 101

What is "patriotism"? "America, Love it or leave it!"? "Brave men and women have died so you can sleep in peace"? Frantic flag-waving? Are you patriotic while reciting the (socialist) Pledge of Allegiance (with its original Nazi salute)? Does it involve shouting down anyone who loves America more than they love the United States government? Or is real patriotism the ability to love the country, while at the same time seeing how badly off-track the US government has gone. Real patriotism seeks to honor and enforce the documents that actually define what America is, and what it stands for. America is not the flag. America is not the web of illegitimate "laws". America is not the President, Congress, courts, or soldiers. America is the ideas enshrined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. To a patriot, these documents are the template used to recognize America. This is my brand of patriotism. I love America. I want the best for everyone who lives here. I grieve for the pseudo-patriots who have forgotten what America is, and instead blindly worship an out-of-control police-state government. These people will not ever see the truth. Their "patriotism" would have been approved by King George back when the real patriots were plotting to overthrow the tyrant. This safe patriotism is fine with the Tyrannocrats who attempt to enslave us today. "Tell the people they are free often enough, and they will believe they are free". Yes, you are free to do whatever the government permits you to do. Is this the kind of freedom you desire? Even loyal party members in Soviet Russia had that brand of freedom. I want more. I deserve more. You deserve more.

Remember Hollis Wayne Fincher

When government targets people for arrest or persecution, do you speak out or do you think to yourself "they must have done something to deserve this"? The recent case of Hollis Wayne Fincher should make anyone who loves and honors America furious. The criminals infesting government are working on a campaign against him. They will soon be planting evidence (government operatives show a preference for child pornography for this purpose) to sway public opinion, if they haven't already, so watch for the "revelation". The Second Amendment clearly states that the government has ZERO authority to regulate weapons. Zero. Passing, or enforcing even the most innocuous gun "law" is treason. It would not matter one tiny bit if Fincher had built an arsenal of fully automatic firearms and sold them from the back of his truck in the Wal-Mart parking lot (No, this isn't what he is being accused of) because for the government to try to enforce a counterfeit gun "law" is illegal. Pass a gun law; become a criminal. Kill someone while enforcing a gun "law"; become a murderer. There are no illegal guns; only illegal gun laws.

Michael Moore's Promise

Michael Moore has written a letter to "disheartened conservatives". He pledges to let conservatives reap the rewards of the socialist paradise that he and the Democratic arm of the National Tyrannocrat Party intend to implement (at government gunpoint) on America. How nice of him. Some conservatives might even embrace their golden cage if they can remind themselves that as long as "their guys" were in power, they headed blindly toward the exact same goals. Libertarians will never be appeased by promises of "universal healthcare" or of being "allowed" to keep our hunting rifles. Only a fool would fall for his verbal flatulence, or think that Americans will. Will he and his ilk respect our libertarian beliefs? Does he erroneously think we want him to balance our checkbooks? He promises not to spend our grandchildren's money. Good. Stop stealing it to pay for government programs and maybe we will believe you. Taxation is theft. Gun "laws" are treason. Separate your government from our lives or we may, in self defense, force you back into the sewer which spawned you, along with all your empty promises.

Money

Do you ever wonder why things keep going up in price?

The government and their collaborators in the media blame "inflation". They claim it is because greedy companies keep raising the prices. Now do you want to know the real reason prices go up? They don't. The US dollar just keeps losing value.

Back when the US dollar was guaranteed with silver, it kept its value. The Constitution defines a dollar as a certain weight of silver. Four hundred and twelve and a half grains of 90% silver to be exact. The Federal Reserve Bank (which is not federal, not a reserve, and not a bank) has stolen "dollars" from America and substituted Federal Reserve Notes (FRNs) which we are now legally forced to accept. These are only worth anything because the US government says they are. Compared to the real dollar of pre-1913, the FRN is now worth about 4 cents.

This is reflected in prices, which are shown in "dollars" but are really in FRNs, appearing to rise, through "inflation". Look at the Silver Dollar. Once upon a time, it was made of 90% silver, weighed about an ounce, and would trade 1:1 for a FRN paper dollar.

Now you can still get them, but although they say "one dollar" on them, they cost between $14 and $20 FRNs each (as of November 14, 2006 at 6:02PM Eastern time. I checked a few different places). Plus, if you deposit one into your bank account, you will only get credit for ONE dollar.

I am not a monetary expert, but it is plain to see that the US government, along with the Federal Reserve is stealing the value of America. Trade all the FRNs you can afford to part with for REAL money in the form of gold and silver, and start today. You will be glad you did.

The Freedom to be Wrong

This is one of the hardest things for many people to accept: that freedom necessarily includes the freedom to be wrong. When you see someone making a mistake it is natural to want to rescue them. This is what makes humans humane. Parents usually learn that if they always save their kids from getting hurt by a mistake, the kids keep making the same mistake over and over. They do not learn from being warned. Many authoritarians believe that they are controlling us for our own good. They don't see the harm that comes from not dealing with the consequences of our own decisions and actions. Libertarians recognize that people only learn from their own mistakes. We can give advice, and even reach out to those who have fallen, but to forbid someone the freedom to live as they see fit and make their own mistakes in order to learn is to demand that people remain infantile. Be a true friend; not a coddler.

False Libertarians

Through the years I have met many people who claim that they are libertarians. Of these, a sizeable percentage turn out to be false libertarians. What they really mean is that they like to watch porn and use drugs. Yes, libertarians will support their right to do that. The problem is that these phonies also may live on welfare and think nothing of writing a hot check now and then. They call the cops at the drop of a hat when someone annoys them. They blame government for their own failures. This is not libertarian behaviour at all. Libertarianism is about self responsibility. It is summed up in the Zero Aggression Principle, which states: "No human being has the right, under ANY circumstances, to initiate force against another human being, nor to advocate or delegate its initiation." Fraud is economic initiation of force. False libertarians do not usually even know of the ZAP, much less live by it. If you think you can "do anything you want" but not pay the consequences, you are not a libertarian. You are a criminal or an authoritarian (but I repeat myself).

National Ammo Day/Week

Once again it is National Ammo Day/Week; the ammunition Buycott. Everyone should go out and buy at least 100 rounds of ammo before November 19, 2006. This is an annual event, so mark your calendars. Isn't this much more fun than boycotting something?

ATF: American Terrorist Front

The out of control, illegal gang known as the BATFE has arrested another innocent man and gone into smear campaign mode. Hollis "Wayne" Fincher was arrested for possessing "illegal guns". Read about this case on United States vs. Fincher.

The cowardly NRA has spoken out in support of this state terrorism, stating that it and its 4 million members support the "Project Safe Neighborhoods" program that led to the arrest. As a disgruntled NRA life member, I wrote to them:

"I do not in any way shape or form support "Project Safe Neighborhoods" as has been stated on my behalf as a member in relation to the Hollis Fincher arrest. It is an abomination against the Constitution as is "Project Exile". Please do not make blanket statements unless you are stating that all gun "laws" are counterfeit. Victim disarmament can not be tolerated."

I will wait and see if or how they respond.

Rights vs. Authority

People, individual humans, have "rights". Government has only "authority". Rights trump authority every time. It is like a game of "rock, paper, scissors" where "rights" will always win. Government can't even play. Government authority is a big, fancy ice sculpture trying to stand against the flamethrower of individual rights. Since rights are absolute, two or more people (such as government) have no more rights than one person. This may not be a popular view, but it is the correct one. People have been conditioned to think that government, through its authority, "gives" us rights, but this is backwards. We, as individuals, give government authority. Since the authority comes from the people, the people can take it away. Our rights do not come from government, so government cannot take them away. Once you realize the hierarchy of rights and authority, government becomes less scary, and begins to lose power over your life. Which is exactly what government doesn't want.

Wiretaps

I have been watching and participating in an online discussion of minarachy vs. anarchy. The minarchist is overly concerned (from my perspective) with what to do about cybercriminals who (he believes) will not be easily caught and punished in an anarchy.

Perhaps in a ZAP compliant anarchy (a ZAParchy?) wiretaps and similar shady "law enforcement" techniques would still be used. There would be no governmental "authority" for such nonsense, though. If the investigators are caught, they could be punished for overzealous persuit of the bad guy. I think I could even embrace this in today's US. Wiretap all you want, read my emails, or whatever, but if you get caught doing it, you will go to jail even if I am guilty of some crime that you uncover. It might cool some of the police state infringements we are subjected to everyday.

What Do You Love?

What do you love? Do you want the freedom to enjoy more of whatever it is? What if others don't approve of your love? For some it is guns. For others it is the high they get from mind altering substances; or it is music, books, pets, cars, gardens, photography, or...? As long as you do not violate anyone else's rights while you enjoy yourself, it is no one's business. Government gets in the way of almost all of those "loves" in one way or another. Either through regulation or outright prohibition. Remember the line from the Declaration of Independence about governments being established to secure "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"? This is exactly what it was describing. Seeking our bliss without harming anyone else. When government gets in the way of our pursuit of happiness, it has gone rogue and overstepped its authority. When government gets in the way of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" it is the right and responsibility of the people to bring government back in line or to wipe the governmental slate clean and start over. Read the Declaration of Independence if you don't believe me. Also read the list of complaints against King George and see how many the current George, along with his army of Tyrannocrats, has also committed.

Government Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Here is the official US government position on your rights: Rights of the People. Notice Chapter 5. The US government can't afford to state a position on the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. If they flat-out state that there is no Right to Keep and Bear Arms, they know they face an armed revolution. If they admit that the Second Amendment means what it plainly says, they will be admitting that every victim disarmament scheme that has ever been perpetrated on America is illegal, and therefore null and void. So, they are probably trying to find the right weasel-words to keep the essay from saying anything at all. It does not matter. You and I do not need the US government (or any employees thereof) to tell us what the Bill of Rights means. It was written for anyone to understand. The lie is that you need it "interpreted" by legal scholars. You do not. The authors wrote it for everyone. That includes YOU.

Election Results: America Loses, Again

Having seen some of this year's crop of political advertisements and the clowns who were asking for our votes, I don't know what to think. Can voters be this mindless? These ads are such an obvious diversion from the true issues that I find it hard to believe they are not seen as buffoonery. "Candidate A" is against this and that. "Candidate 1" is against that and this. They ignore the clear fact that they are both against liberty. Smoke, mirrors, slight-of-hand, holograms, "Hey, look over there", and other tactics hide the true agenda that these treasonous monsters are pushing on us. They promise to steal from someone else to finance giving YOU something, but you too are a "someone else" to somebody. We, the productive humans of Earth, need to put these political parasites on notice that we are watching them, and we do not find their abuses amusing. We are not fooled by their lies and distractions. Any "laws" limiting, regulating, licensing, rationing, or downplaying rights are disgustingly wrong. Politicians, enforcers, and bureaucrats need to be held personally accountable for the evil they do to us. For the rest of their pathetic little lives. Voting against them is not enough.

Vote if You Must

But please, vote for NO INCUMBENTS. Vote for the Libertarian if there is one, even a LINO Libertarian; one of the honorable "third parties" if not. If there is no Libertarian on the ticket, remember that "None of the Above" is better than a Tyrannocrat (R) or (D). Or, just write "Kent McManigal" in for everything. Maybe you would rather participate in This Campaign instead. Don't fall for the "If you don't vote, you can't complain" lie.

Personal Responsibility (Again)

The worst feedback I get is when I mention "personal responsibility". Do people fear it, or do they believe they will be held responsible, yet others will not? Do most people feel that they themselves are honorable, but no one else is? Universally, people reach out to those who promise to control others through victim disarmament, drug prohibition, cruel moral codes, and other forms of slavery. They reject those of us who tell them to take responsibility for their own lives, and stop worrying about what other people choose to do with their lives. The busy-bodies cry out "But what about X or Z?" Who will stop that from happening? Who will punish the guilty?". In many cases "X" and "Z" are not a violation of the Zero Aggression Principle and should not be forbidden in the first place. In other cases, without statism tying your hands, you would be able to stop it on your own. Morally and without violating anyone's rights. I would prefer to live in a society which is founded on personal responsibility, and teaches that actions have consequences, rather than a "punishment state" where the only thing holding back the flood of chaos and mayhem is the threat of armed assault by the bad(ge) guys.

Remember, Today

Remember, remember, the fifth of November.... And watch V for Vendetta today.

We Can't All be Right, But.......

It's amazing to me that all the political ads I see are saying things that are completely contradictory, yet both sides of the national Tyrannocrat Party (Republicans and Democrats) think they are right, and obviously believe that viewers/voters will agree with them. In my heart and mind I know I am right. Unfortunately, I suppose they feel they are right, too. Why is it this way? We can't all be right, but they can both be wrong. Each arm of the Tyrannocrat party advocates theft, and promises victimizing some segments of the population slightly more than other segments. The ads are nothing but promises of kickbacks. They promise you that they will steal from me to pay you, and they promise me that they will steal from you to pay me. I do not want your money. Don't promise to give me kickbacks for my vote. It doesn't work that way. If you vote for a candidate according to his promise of "entitlements", "government programs" or "benefits" you are merely choosing a warlord to do your stealing for you. If this is your motivation, do us all a favor and stay home on election day.

Devoured by Government

Have you ever watched a snake eat?

As it swallows its prey whole, the jaw stretches wide open. The bottom jaw separates at the chin so that each half can work somewhat independently. Then one side will slide forward a ways, then pull backwards while the other half slides forward. The snake's teeth are backwards curving so that the prey will only move in one direction; down the snake's throat.

This is similar to our situation.

The Democrats are the left jaw and the Republicans are the right. Bureaucracy and counterfeit "laws" are the top jaw, pressing down on us. Any evidence that they are not all part of the same snake's mouth is an illusion. First one party gets into office and slides forward, then waits when the other party gains control.

It is a dance of death for us, the prey. Slowly, inexorably leading straight down into the belly of the beast.

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Frontiers Beyond the Reach of Tyrants

I think that a lot of government sympathizers feel the way they do because they believe there are some projects too large for individuals (or non-governmental groups of individuals) to undertake. The space programs come to mind. To my way of thinking, government has bungled space programs terribly, trapping us on earth for the foreseeable future. I think if government had stayed out of it, and also not regulated the exploration of space to death, we would probably have large numbers of humans living off-world now. Government representatives went to the moon almost 40 years ago .... and then dropped the ball. Would private space companies have done this? Not unless it proved to be a waste of effort. I don't think space exploration is a waste of effort. Humans need a frontier. This is the first time in human history that we don't have a frontier that ordinary people can escape to. No place remains out of the reach of government. Make no mistake, that is what frontiers are all about, even if the foolish settlers usually rush to set up a new government to molest them. Today, even if the average person sells everything they own, they will not have enough money for an orbital trip; no one to fly them other than government; and no destination is available. This is a condition that cannot continue. There are places on earth that could be frontiers, if government were banished. That isn't likely. Space is the only option that is left for those of us who don't buy into the lie that we "need government".

Are You "Anti-anti" or "Pro-pro"?

Does everyone need to be "anti-" something? I notice that so many people seem to get their identity by what they oppose. Why not embrace a positive instead of only condemning a negative? I am not "anti-government"; I am promoting individual liberty and responsibility. That covers about all of it. Murder, kidnapping, theft, rape, assault, and fraud, are all violations of individual liberty, and rejections of individual responsibility, whether committed by free-lance or governmental villians.

Next Prez Poll

There is an online poll at The Next Prez that you can vote in. About halfway down the page on the right side is the Libertarian Poll. You can vote for me or the candidate of your choice there. Thanks.

Small World?

It is amazing and frustrating to me that just as technology has gotten our planet more connected, the xenophobes in government are doing all they can to alienate us from the rest of the world. I think it is good to trade with other countries. It is good for people to travel and experience other cultures. That is often the best way to appreciate your own culture. Free exchange of ideas and ideals is good for humanity. What is good for people is not too good for government, though. Each government must convince its subjects that their country is the best there is, otherwise the people might decide to make some changes. Change rarely bodes well for rulers. Blind fools often say idiotic things like "Love it or Leave it!" Wiser voices say "Love it and Keep Improving it!" It is often said by government sympathizers that "America is the best, most free, country on Earth." Perhaps, but there is always room for improvement. Imagine you are standing in a bed of fire ants. While looking east you see a crater filled with lava. You should be very grateful that you are not in the lava. If you only look toward the east, you might truly believe that your situation is the best that there can be. All the while, west of you, is a green meadow filled with Twinkies and butterflies (or your pleasures of choice). If you are surrounded by a chorus of voices telling you that your fire ant bed is the best place there is, and that you are utopian or stupid for thinking that there might be a better life, you may believe it. But if you travel, or talk to other people, you will be less likely to buy into the propoganda. At times, even reading fiction can open your eyes to better possibilities. It is in government's best interest to demonize other cultures to create phantom enemies, or to magnify real ones. Ignorance is government's tool. Therefore government tries to keep the world big and scary, and builds walls and fences to keep you in your place.

A Sighting: Tales From the Dark Side of My Mind

"I stepped outside and noticed a bright light in the sky. Suddenly in the underbrush, I saw tiny bipedal creatures kicking aside the leaf litter as if looking for something. They did not seem concerned that I was there, watching them. I observed them for a minute or more, before a passing car caught my attention. When I looked back, the creatures had vanished. Similar events have happened in my presence frequently."

Sounds like a UFO sighting with live "ETs" observed, doesn't it? Well, maybe. Depending on whether the story teller is trying to be totally honest, or is trying to deceive without exactly lying. The above story can be completely true, while still being misleading. If the observer stepped outside during the day (bright light = sun) saw a couple of robins looking for worms (bipedal creatures = robins) which flew away after being startled by a passing car, then the tale would technically be true.

This is what government does when it tells us how great the economy is; how gun "laws" saved lives; why this new law or order will not destroy liberty. Politicians can be technically telling the "truth" while still being as deceitful as is humanly possible. Then, too, government often just lies.

"I'm From the Government! BOO! You're Dead!"

Want to be really scary this Halloween? Dress up as Government. Drinking the life-blood of the productive people of the world. Clothed in the blood of the 200 million or so victims of 20th century government. This is the very real horror we face. This isn't "government gone wrong" but a logical progression of the very principle of government. Government doing what government is designed to do. Government, and state worshippers, believe that force is the way to get things done. When someone disagrees with government edicts, the force escalates until someone is killed. Sometimes government ghouls, I mean "agents", are killed "in the line of duty", but the individuals who only wish to live free of coercion almost always fall. Now, with the laws which government has seen fit to inflict upon us in the past few weeks, we have lost the "privilige" of facing our accusers and knowing what "law" we are accused of breaking, if the government decides we disagree with them (because then we can be declared "enemy combatants"); the President, as Decision-ator, can take over the national guard if the citizens of a state protest his administration's policies. (As President, I solemnly swear I would never do this, and would overturn this provision.) The rule of law (the Constitution and Bill of Rights) has been driven from the US with pitchforks and torches. The zombies of government are after your brain. Defy them. Think.

The Coming Election

I will now make a prediction: Democrats will win big in elections all across America. Freedom will continue to suffer at the hands of tyrants. The US police state will continue to grow like a cancer. More people will have their lives destroyed by the insane War on Drugs. More people will die on the altar of Victim Disarmament. In other words, there will be no real difference. I am amazed that anyone still believes that there is any substantial difference between the different branches of the national authoritarian party. One cow pie; different sides! Liberty infringements that are squealed about by the "out of power" branch, are happily used when they get "into power". It is simply a ratcheting of the noose around the throat of liberty. What does it matter if the torturer has a (R) or a (D) after their name in the press? Trying to control the lives of others is wrong. Why is that such a difficult idea to understand? Is tyranny such a basic driving force of human nature that few can see it? I hope not. The time will come when the tyrants are made to pay for their occupation of American territory. At that time, will the defenders of liberty show the mercy that is lacking in the US government now?

Thinking or Obeying? Be a Human!

It seems to me that people today find thinking for themselves to be very difficult at best. We are accustomed to others (whom we think of as "superiors") telling us what to do and think. The authoritarians in power like it this way, as it is easier to control populations who wait to be instructed. Some of this behavior-modification (perhaps most of it) gets ingrained during the humanity-crushing years spent in the government indoctrination centers that we are told to call "schools". Then we move on to "jobs" which are usually a poor substitute for a meaningful trade. There we are subject to the whims of bosses who, in many cases, reach their intellectual limit by standing upright. It is no wonder that voters continue voting for the cretins who insist that they know what is best for us. News Flash!: No one knows, or can know, what is best for you as an individual except for you. Unless of course you are mentally compromised in some way. The goal of compromising your intellect is what many politicians and bureaucrats strive for each and every day. "You are not highly trained enough to defend yourself. Let us send experts to save you after you have been victimized. Our body-bags are the industry's finest." Or: "You are not smart enough to know which medications are best for you. Even if this one helps you, with no side effects, we don't like it. It sends the wrong message. Take this expensive one that you will need us to help you pay for. Never mind the horrible side effects. They will only help you welcome death." Yes, I am exagerating, but not by as much as you may think. I have faith that if you stop accepting what the authorities tell you as truth, you will be able to discern the truth for yourself. The truth can be ugly, but ugly or beautiful, it is still the truth. Wishful thinking will not change it, but thoughtful action can.

Weird Al vs. The RIAA

Weird Al Yankovic has a good commentary on the tyrants of the recording industry on his site. Plus it is hilarious!

Listen to: "Don't Download This Song" And have a nice day!

Voting

Does voting make a difference? Is voting even morally right? Is voting "mob rule" or initiation of force? If 99 people vote to violate the rights of one person, is the vote right? Is "democracy" three wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner? If you don't vote, do you have a right to complain about the result? If you do vote, are you obligated to go along with the result even if you are on the losing side?

I will admit that this is the one area where my opinions change regularly. This makes me think that perhaps we are asking the wrong questions. Voting results from the feeling that it is right and necessary to have a government, and that the only fair way to do so is to vote on what that government will do. I think this is a mistaken premise. If every person in the world, except for one, wanted to violate the rights of that last one, it would not be any more morally right for them to do so, than it would be for the one to violate the rights of the rest of humanity. Rights are not cumulative nor divisible. They are not subject to "regulation" or rationing. Rights are absolute for everyone, everywhere, at every time, regardless of what government would like us to believe. Voting and government are violations of our basic human rights. The Covenant of Unanimous Consent avoids these human rights abuses.

If, though, you still feel the need to vote (perhaps in self-defense), please do not vote for any incumbents, and only vote for candidates and issues that will shrink the scope and reach of government. Whenever you can, vote for the Libertarian candidate instead of either of the authoritarian candidates. Vote to legalize marijuana if you get the chance. Vote against any government-empowering issues. Never vote for a tax. As much as possible, vote against the police state. At least until it is possible to end the abomination of government once and for all.

"Hope" for the Future

I have mentioned it before, but I will again. You really need to read the book "Hope" by L. Neil Smith and Aaron Zelman. It is a very good book and is a blueprint for what a President should be, and should do. It is MY blueprint for my presidency. I am not one for drama or showmanship. I know what must be done, and I am willing to work towards that goal. I know that the Bill of Rights must be enforced, and that it is a package deal; you cannot pick and choose among the Amendments and only enforce the ones you like. The Constitution was only ratified after the Bill of Rights was promised. Ignore one Amendment and the entire deal is off. If the deal is off, then the US government is no longer the legitimate government of America. If it then tries to force itself on America, it has become a terrorist group occupying our land. The only Amendment in the Bill of Rights that has not been violated by the US government(yet)is the Third Amendment; the one forbidding troops in our homes. A libertarian president like the book's Alexander Hope (or like Kent McManigal) would understand and act on this chilling knowledge.

Will the "Right Law" Save Us?

Why is it that many people, when confronted by problems, tend to look to government to "fix" things? I think it is because we have been conditioned to think this way. Whenever I hear a report of some newly discovered, or recently exhumed, problem, I notice that the first comments seem to be "what laws can be passed to stop this?" This is the kind of immature thinking that has given us the legal pollution we are choking under today. Laws do not fix anything, but instead, make the problem worse. Living by the Zero Aggression Principle, or even the Golden Rule, would give us the liberty we need to form a better society. All other laws are just noise. It all comes down to personal responsibility and self governing. Without the two of them, no law will ever help us in any way.

Conspiracy Theories

Did the US feds destroy the World Trade Center? Was the Oklahoma City bombing an inside job? The fact that anyone even considers such ideas shows that Americans have lost faith in The US government. With good reason. Just because the US had motive and means to carry out these attacks, and that they are also the ones in charge of investigating the crimes (so they could fabricate any evidence they need) does not mean they are actually guilty. The real conspiracy that has damaged America is what has happened since then. It is not even a secret conspiracy. Government at all levels has declared war on freedom. Vast governmental resources have been co-opted to demonize liberty in every way possible. Brainwashed people now believe that "patriotism" means unthinking loyalty to the US government instead of loyalty to the Constitution and Bill of Rights, which are, at the very core, what America is. Police and other enforcers all over the country are being trained that if anyone speaks of these founding documents of America, then they are potential terrorists. Do you realize how backwards this is? Americans who honor America are now defined as terrorists by the very agents and bureaucrats who kill and destroy in order to impose a nazi-style police state on us? The real terrorists are calling patriots "terrorists". George Orwell would nod knowingly.

Wanna-Be Enforcers

A couple years ago (spring 2004), I had a long conversation with a college student who was on course to throw away his life as an enforcer of counterfeit "laws".

A television was playing a news story about some perceived threat to the state capitol building. I commented that we would probably be better off without it, and the corruption it represents. He disagreed.

We then got into a friendly discussion regarding government.

He informed me he was going into law enforcement when he graduated college. He had been taking the law enforcement courses.

I asked him what his thoughts were about enforcing laws which violated the Constitution and Bill of Rights. His responses still haunt me.

His view (and I am forced to assume that this is what he was being taught) was that the Constitution and Bill of Rights were written for a different era, and do not apply to us any more. They are just something that wackos quote, and should be forgotten.

He told me that without government cracking down on citizens, chaos would erupt.

It was obvious from his attitude that cops are being trained from day one that it is "us against them".

So be it.

There are still a few, usually older, cops who understand their duty, and remember who they work for, but more and more the newer enforcers have the militarized mindset, dress-code, and swagger, and are out to feel the rush of combat. Combat against America in the form of "The War on Drugs", "Illegal Guns", "The War on Terror", and whatever the hobgoblin of the week happens to be.

These cops are traitors; domestic enemies pure and simple.

*

Freedom Zones

It seems as though America, as a whole, gets less free and more draconian every day. Some people will resist this alone, in their own homes, surrounded by neighbors who slavishly worship the US police state. Others are joining together with other freedom lovers and moving to areas where they can support one another against the encroaching tyranny. The Free State Project and Free State Wyoming are the most famous/popular/successful of these movements. I would suggest that if seeking the company of other libertarian minded folks sounds good to you, that you look into both of these projects and see if you might find a brighter, more free future in either New Hampshire or Wyoming.

I think there is a place for the lone freedom outlaw ("firefly") and for the free region groups. These are just different methods to the same goal. Each person will find the niche that works best for themselves. Historically the freedom movement has mostly been the lone firefly against the world; it is time to try some other ways and see if they might be more effective. Liberty for ALL!

As President, I will ......

I just noticed that I have not been announcing what I would do if I were elected President. I have not promised to give money to this or that crisis. I haven't rattled my saber at any "outlaw nation". I haven't been doing any of the typical politician-type things. That is because I am not a politician. I am an individual. I care about my country. I want to leave it better than I found it. My presidential philosophy is similar to the way I behave in the wilderness. I don't litter or destroy, and I repair any damage that others have done before me (that I can), and I pick up whatever trash I can carry out. Those entrusted to take care of America in the past have done a dismal job. They have littered with millions of toxic laws. They have looted our futures with confiscatory taxes. They have sprayed graffiti on the Constitution so that it can say what they want it to say. I don't know about you, but I hate stepping in "it" when someone has used the woods for a toilet and not finished the job by burying it. Government has been using America as its personal toilet for generations, and it is time to clean up the mess. It will not be pleasant. It will not be easy. Some Americans have grown attached to the stench, and will scream mightily when we begin cleaning up. If they love wallowing in filth, they are free to turn their own house into an open sewer if they so desire, but no one has the right to force us all to keep living in a nationwide cesspool. I intend to begin the reclamation of America. Will you help?

Wrong is Wrong

If the government passed a law that declared that rape was legal, how many of us would immediately go out to commit one? Zero libertarians would, because it is against our principle. The Zero Aggression Principle to be precise. Authoritarian types, though, seem only to care about what is "legal"; not what is right. Torture, secret trials, gun laws, drug laws, militarized police, taxation; all these things may be legal, but they are still evil and wrong. No amount of law or enforcement will ever make "wrong" right. The IRS claims that the income tax is legal because they arrest people for defying it. That is the silliest justification I have ever heard. If I pass a "law" that says I can enter your house and take what I want, and then use the fact that I will shoot anyone who objects as my justification, does that make my actions legal? Of course not. Government can't be allowed to make its own rules, then judge whether its rules are OK, just as I can't. Judges should only be paid when they rule against the government if we were to try to reverse the abuses of the past couple hundred years. You cannot have the "impartial judge" working for only one side as they are now. The only times they rule against the government are when they are making a show of being fair, not when they could actually make a difference. They never strike a crippling blow to the US police state. This must change if America is to survive.

Emergency Preparedness

Do you have enough food and supplies to keep yourself and your family healthy in case of an emergency? I am not talking about M16s for every member of the family, and enough ammo to keep away hordes of looters (although that isn't a bad idea). I am talking about food (that doesn't need refrigeration), water, heating/cooking fuel, medical supplies, and the like. A natural disaster can hit any part of the world at any time. Governmental and social disasters can also hit anywhere there are other people. You should keep enough food to feed your whole family for a week or two at least. If anyone in your house is dependent on any medical supplies, be sure to keep ahead on purchasing them, as well. As has been shown rather graphically time after time, government will not come to your rescue, and may actually make the problem much worse as it did in New Orleans after Katrina.

You should also get a kit together in the event of having to leave your house without warning. Called a "Bug-Out Bag" this should have enough to keep you going for at least 72 hours. Even some of the mainstream media have begun to mention disaster preparedness as something Americans should think about. You are responsible for your own safety. No government cares as much about you as you do. Any preparations are better than none.

Here is a partial listing of the contents of my personal Bug-Out Bag:

BACKPACK to carry it all
Shelter: wool blanket
Water: Purification tablets
6 Bottles of water
Food:Jerky
Parched corn
6 energy bars
Fire: Magnesium fire starter
6 Candles
3 Sterno
Dry tinder
Fatwood
Health: Toilet paper
BandAids
Antibiotic ointment
Listerine
Aspirin
Extra clothing
Cotton Balls
Q-Tips
Baking Soda
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Security: Folding knife
Sharpening stone
Hand-powered flashlight
Wind-up alarm clock
Money

The Roswell Lies

The story is that a flying saucer crashed in Roswell, New Mexico on July 2, 1947. Did it happen or not? I first heard the story in the early 1970's while I lived in Waco, Texas (the scene of more notorious lies by the US gov decades later) so I know the story did not start circulating in the mid 1980's as I have heard it claimed. Ignoring the sensational aspects of the story, the only thing that I believe we can ever know for certain is that the US government has been caught lying about this event time after time. Initially gov stated that it had captured a flying saucer. Then changed the story to say it was a weather balloon. Then said that it was a balloon from Project Mogul, and that the "alien bodies" were crash test dummies that were dropped on the area almost a decade after the event. Whether you believe in UFOs or The Roswell Incident, the one undeniable thing is that the US government lied about this time and again, and made liars out of the military people who they fingered to spread each subsequent version of their story. This is not the action of an honorable group who deserve any loyalty. We have been invaded by aliens, and they are the humans who run and worship government. Take back our planet for the real, free, human race.

The FCC: Owners of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

When I think of all the useless government agencies out there, one shining example of utter waste comes to mind. The FCC. Originally conceived to keep radio stations from overlapping their signals (at least, this was the excuse used), this agency now seems to think it owns all of the atmosphere around America. The "overlapping signal" was a counterfeit problem to begin with. It is not in the interest of radio stations to have a frequency too close to another nearby station. Who would want to listen if there were two stations broadcasting on the same frequency? Try it by tuning into some distant AM stations and see how long you would listen to that. The stations had already privately solved this before government came rushing in to rescue them.

Their censors have bewildering standards. If I were not a libertarian and I were trying to keep the airwaves "decent" I would not let half of the garbage be broadcast that they allow. Yet they levy huge fines for nonsense violations of the bizarre rules that they do have. The First Amendment reminds government that it has zero authority to regulate the press or to control free speech. Regardless of "public sensibilities". Popular speech needs no protection. No one is forced to own a radio or television. The stations do a pretty good job of advertising the type of programming you are likely to see or hear when you tune them in. If you are afraid of seeing bare flesh, don't watch Cinemax. If you don't wish to hear certain words, don't watch HBO. If somewhat milder stuff offends you, don't watch CBS, NBC, FOX, or.... You do not have a right to not be offended.

Radio waves are nothing but a form of electromagnetic radiation; like light. Government can't own light. FCC licensing is absurd. Ham radio operators are "required" to get a license, and they seem to think it is a honor to bow to the requirement. Does government really think that unlicensed radio signals are a threat to America? In Great Britain, the royal subjects must license their TV sets. How much longer until the FCC, in order to protect us, starts requiring the same? Support any "pirate" broadcasters in your area.

The Constitution

I hear a lot of libertarians argue that the Constitution is irrelevent. That it is either directly responsible for the police state we now live under, or that it did nothing to prevent it. Perhaps. It is still the only thing that even the worst jabbuts (jack-booted thugs) pretend to operate under. This is why we must constantly remind them that they do not even obey their own laws. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights are this country's highest law. They outrank all others. Even the corrupt Supreme Court has ruled that no one is under any obligation to obey any "law" which is prohibited by these documents. Of course, they will almost never say that a "law" is unconstitutional; especially when it would bring down a whole sector of the government and leave them open to imprisonment and execution, such as victim disarmament "laws".

I think it goes even deeper. Government must be reminded and shown that if it operates outside its authority and does not honor the Constitution, then it is no longer upholding its end of the bargain. It has ceased being legitimate and has become an occupying government of criminals. Remind them often.

Yes, I realize that no one alive agreed to be bound by the Constitution. I never agreed to be bound by the "laws" that are passed daily in any government hive. Government can not be allowed to continue ignoring the laws that apply to them, but then insisting that we, the people, must live under the "laws" they inflict on us. That is a recipe for their own destruction.

Delusions of Grandeur

I have no illusions or delusions about my importance in the presidential race, or even in life. Very, very few people read my blogs. Few people visit my webpage. No world "leaders" are worried that I would be in a position to help America shake off its authoritarian chains. Most of the time, I don't really mind. Freedom is not a popular goal. If it were, there would be no need for people such as myself to run for president. If even 10 or 20% of Americans were really hungering for liberty the way I do, America would be a free country. Too many of us believe that government will protect us, without seeing that government is the vampire draining our life-blood, while it pretends to keep the ghosts from getting us. I don't know if this will change in my lifetime, though I can always hope. Will I play a part in the change if it occurs? I really can't say. With the internet, these posts will be available for future readers. Perhaps something I wrote will reach the right person at the right time. Will this blog lead to a "Kent Presidency"? Not unless some universe-altering quantum fluctuation occurs. I am afraid that any libertarian (or Libertarian) president we would be likely to elect will be more like the authoritarians we already struggle under. It is still worth the effort, though. Freedom is worth it. America deserves to be free.

I Missed a Major News Story!

Yesterday, I somehow missed the fact that it was Friday the 13th! How could I have let such a momentous event pass unnoticed? Because I am not paraskevidekatriaphobic. I am astonished that people even think about these things. But then I see otherwise intelligent people who are superstitious about everything under the sun. Superstition is the belief that mysterious, unseen forces guide your life and control your destiny. These "forces" can be appeased by doing certain "rituals" or saying magical words at the right time. I suppose it can be comforting to some to believe that they do not really have control over most of the things that happen in their lives, or that they can appeal to the universe to favor them. It is harder to accept responsibility. Stay alert. Stay awake, and don't blame mysterious forces when things don't go the way you want. The blame (and the credit) usually lies with the person who looks at you from the mirror.

Sex

Consentual sex between adults is none of my business, nor is it any of your business. Unless someone chooses to make it your business, but even in that case, you have no authority to enforce your moral code on the other person. I can't understand the notion that it is fair game for government busy-bodies to pry into. If you are the recipient of unwanted sexual advances, say "no". There is no need to get violent or hateful. Forced sex is never right and you have every right to defend yourself against it with as much force as it takes to stop the threat. "Age of consent" is strictly a government notion. One size does not fit all, because biology is not constrained by "law", but sexual activity IS constrained by biology, so children are always off-limits. Most people are decent, and whether they are homosexual, heterosexual, bisexual, polyamorous, or asexual does not change that fact. If you wish to rent or trade your sexual favors, that is your business(literally). Discrimination based on a person's sex life is stupid and wrong, but there should not be "laws" punishing discrimination. Stupidity is not, or should not be, illegal. Nowhere in the Bill of Rights does it suggest that these Rights apply to "everyone except ____________ ". Violate the rights of another person, and you are guilty. Sexual lifestyle does not figure into the equation anywhere. If marriage (of any kind) is your desire, do it without government approval. You do not need it. Government has zero authority in that area unless you willingly give it to them. Don't.

Government Dog-Kickers

Rights supercede any laws issued by any "authority". Any legitimacy a law has comes only from the Right which the law is enacted to protect. Any "law" which seeks to violate, infringe, regulate, license, limit or downplay any Right is abhorrent and must be most vigorously opposed.

The United States has too many "laws". Every time someone has any difficulty, they seem to think it is their right to have a law to protect them from this indignity. After centuries of this idiocy, we now have a "legal" code that it would be absolutely impossible to know, even if you did nothing else but read the "laws" every day for your entire life. This will backfire. If you have a dog and you make up random or ridiculous rules for him to live by, and kick him everytime he doesn't, will you have a well-behaved dog? No, you will have an aggressive dog that will be a grave danger to you and anyone else he views as a threat. Government has been lucky, so far, that humans are more compliant and forgiving than dogs. Perhaps they will continue to be lucky, but I doubt it. I don't think government believes their luck will continue, either. This is why new, even more draconian "laws" get passed constantly. They are desperate to get anyone who might oppose them disarmed and in "the system" where they can be more thoroughly controlled. It may work for a time. But...They can't control us all.

Governing While Intoxicated

While driving around today I saw one of those "public service" billboards which seem to be everywhere promoting socialist ideals. It said "Buzzed driving is drunk driving". My response: No, it is not. I don't know of anyone, even hardcore alcoholics, who think it is a good idea to drive while you are drunk. The problem is that the government has defined "drunk" so broadly that it is now completely meaningless. If someone does not act drunk, it does not matter what their blood-alcohol level is; they are not drunk. What is the issue is how they act and react, not whether there is alcohol in their bloodstream. Back in 1999 in the middle of the night, I watched a cop give a kid "sobriety tests" in Gunnison CO for over a half hour. The guy passed every single test that the bad(ge) guy threw at him. At least until the crooked cop had exhausted the poor man, and he finally slipped up on one test; then it was hand-cuffs and into the car for him. This is criminal behavior "authorized" by a badge and a gun. If cops want people to have respect for them, and for real laws, they must stop enforcing counterfeit "laws" such as this.

Goin' Nuclear

Maybe North Korea has "the Bomb", and maybe not. There are a lot of governments which do; does one more really make a difference? It would be better if no one had nuclear weapons, but just as with many things, that is only a "what if". The reality is that nuclear weapons do exist. Now the question is whether it is as terrible as the media makes it sound IF N.Korea has a nuke. My guess is that it doesn't make any difference. The biggest, most aggressive government in existence has had nukes for over 60 years. Why do they think that it is OK for them to stockpile these weapons, but no one else should? It is the same reason that they keep fully automatic rifles, but almost totally forbid private ownership of the same guns; they wish to be able to have their way with you or anyone anywhere on the planet. Government is a spoiled child who can destroy worlds at the push of a button. But here is the main thing to keep in mind: is it likely that Koreans would target and kill you, personally, with any kind of weapon? Not at all. You have much, much more to fear from the agents of the US government. Americans are more likely to be killed by a cop than by (other kinds of) terrorists. Think about that in light of the Homeland Security fear-mongering. Neither of these risks is even in the "top 10" anyway. Don't be distracted from living free by media induced panic.

Busywork

Have you noticed how much of your time you must spend in order to stay "legal"? I think this is a way government gets you to use up a lot of your energy that you could otherwise be using to oppose them. They keep you so busy that you don't really notice what they are doing. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by this tactic. Always remember that the busywork is not legal in most cases. Remember who is forcing you to do it. What types of things am I talking about? You must fill out tax forms, and make sure you keep the records. Keep your car registration up to date or the Bad(ge) Guys will have an excuse to pull you over and molest you. Are all your official papers in order? Do you have all the permits the Storm Troopers require? There are thousands of nonsensical busywork-type things we are forced to do and then keep up with. It cheapens life to be forced to deal with all this garbage. The real problem comes from the punishments dealt out to us when we are not careful enough in dotting "I"s or crossing "T"s. Government can, will, and does destroy lives, steal homes and possessions, and murder innocent people who did nothing more "evil" than sloppy paperworking. Government only has the authority to inflict requirements on you that you allow them to inflict. Stop allowing it. Withdraw consent to be governed by criminal gangs.

Pop Culture

I frequently hear intelligent people brag that they don't know who such-and-such celebrity is, or that they NEVER watch TV or something similar. It is as if not knowing anything about pop culture is a badge of honor. L. Neil Smith says you can't fight something you have no knowledge of. My brain stores a lot of useless junk that I don't even remember being exposed to, so I do know a lot of pop culture info. I don't dwell on it, or even normally think about it, though. Pop culture and the media (and sports)have a way of giving common ground where it is scarce, then you can find other commonalities when you dig deeper. I enjoy some mainstream things and some very obscure things. Everyone does unless they have the depth of an oil slick on a puddle. There is a lot of garbage out there in the media, and there are a few diamonds. Recognize the difference, but don't let anyone put you down because of what you enjoy. It is, after all, your life.

Boot the BATFE

Help JPFO get the BATFE out of America.

MountainMan Wisdom

Accepting government handouts is like milking a grizzly bear: it may keep you fed for a while, but you will get mauled eventually.

Preaching Liberty

From time to time in our lives, we come across someone whose beliefs are very different, or even diametrically opposed to ours. It can be fun debating these people, as long as no one becomes angry in the process. This happens most frequently in the realms of religion and politics. It is usually pointless to try to really "convert" the other person, as in both of these areas, we "know what we know" and no amount of logic is likely to get through all of our mental defenses. Once, in debating someone, over a course of days, after making all of the points I could think of, the other person finally admitted, "What you say makes sense, but I am gonna believe what I want to". I was struck by this admission. I came to realize that when someone has a great deal invested in a belief system, be it political or religious, they can not afford to simply walk away from it. I don't blame them; I am the same way. You could trumpet the benefits of government control over every facet of our personal lives; show me examples backing up your claims, and I would know at my very core that you were wrong, and that freedom and liberty are better. So what can a liberty minded freedom outlaw do? Lead by example. Do not abandon your libertarian principles when it becomes difficult to live them. Show how much better personal responsibility is as a life style. Do not fall into the government handout trap. Do not initiate force. Do not back away from defending yourself and your family. Do not apologize for living by your principles. It time, others will notice your life. Then you can welcome them to liberty, beyond the reach of government thugs. When enough people see government for the farce it is, we will have won our freedom.

Free to Live and Ignore the Terrorists

What is a peaceful person to do? Counterfeit "laws" threaten us daily; the police have been militarized and taught that it is "them against us" from their first day of training; the Torturer-in-Chief and his minions in government at all levels think the Constitution and Bill of Rights are "just a %@#&%@$ed piece of paper" to be ignored unless it is in their interest to reference them; and almost without exception, Americans don't care. I am reading the book Unintended Consequenses and enjoying it very much. The author, John Ross, did his research. I wish we had more Americans like the heroes of this book. Perhaps even admitting this labels me a "gun-nut". I have watched freedoms being ripped away by a government out of control throughout my adult life. I recognize criminal behavior when I see it, as I am sure you do. I have watched politicians and bureaucrats acting as though they are the masters and we are their pawns, to use as they wish. I have seen extreme crimes of government go unpunished, and the thugs even rewarded and praised in many cases. And, through it all, I have seen almost all of America accept this as OK or even good. I am afraid that when government tightens the noose to the point the average American feels it, just before the trap door opens, it will be too late. It may have been too late when the Supreme Court staged the coup and stole the power to decide Constitutional issues unilaterally. My advice is: just ignore government to the best of your ability. A retired sheriff's deputy told me a few years ago, "by the time you eat breakfast in the morning, you have broken some law. Anyone can be arrested at any time. Just don't worry about it and get on with your life." I guess what I am trying to say is, don't worship the parasites; don't shoot them unless they attack you; don't even waste the energy to flip them off, unless it enriches your day to do so. Just find ways around them when you need to, and ignore their idiocy the rest of the time. Government is not worth your time. If it pleases you, vote for me or someone like me who is an avowed enemy to the present police state. Get libertarians into for every office you can vote for. If voting is against your principles, then try to convert as many police state groupies as you can to your side. And just keep living free despite the best efforts of federal terrorists, and their local terror cells.

Letters to Editors

I just spent my morning sending letters to editors of newspapers throughout the state regarding the recent school shootings. I took my two blogs on the subject and combined them into what I hope was a cogent letter. I have some reservations about writing newspapers. I have seen many letters that, while I basically agree with the writer, seem like they were written by a howling mad lunatic. I hope I did not fall into that trap. Also, I watched once as a letter writer (whom I knew) was arrested soon after his letter advocating liberty and knocking counterfeit "laws" was published. It may have been coincidental, but it makes me wonder. Government does not like to be reminded that it is no longer a legitimate authority. They do not like to have that fact pointed out publicly.

If you are willing to take the risk, please send some letters to editors. If you wish to, feel free to use my blog entries as a starting point for your own letters. Just change them enough that they are not obviously the same. The pro-government extremists are busy writing; we, with our more reasonable position, need to do the same.

White House Forms Panel on School Violence

There is no problem so bad that it can't be made orders of magnitude worse by adding government. So here they go again.

Help Me Fix the World

I don't know whether you, the reader, agrees with me or not. I would guess that most of you instinctively know that America is on the wrong path, even if you don't think I am pointing in the right direction. Whatever direction you think America should be heading, you are the most powerful force for that change. Your life belongs to you, and America (and the world) is built of the individual lives of you and me, and people just like us. The only way to really fix the world is one person at a time. If you are drawn to political action, do it. Just realize that forcing your views on others is never right. If you just want to be left alone to live as you see fit; that is great, too. Do not let anyone make you feel guilty for living your own life. If you think my views have any validity, please pass the word to others who might enjoy reading these blogs. Even if they would only enjoy reading in order to ridicule me.

Abdication of Self Defense Responsibility

The Amish school shooting (sigh) shows another side of the guns in schools issue. Guns do you no good if you have a moral prohibition against self defense. To me, self defense denial is equal to saying that your life or the lives of your family are not worth protecting. This is abominable. To me, those little Amish girls were worth dying (or going to prison for violating counterfeit "laws") to save.

I also repeat my sentiments of September 28 and add to it: Watch out for copy-cat crimes anytime a tragedy occurs. Sick evil people need little provocation to set them off. That is why these things always happen in clusters.

My "Political Virginity"

On another blog (Small Government Blog) one of the commenters claimed I could be "worse than even Bush" and spoke of my "liabilities", while another pointed out that I have never held elected office and said I should start out as dog-catcher or on the local Soil & Water board.

I am still awaiting my comment to be "moderated" regarding the "worse than even Bush" claim. As far as the fact I have not held elected office, I have a few thoughts.

I would never run for dog catcher because this is not a legitimate government function; same for Soil & Water board. I have actually thought of these type positions before, but without any Constitutional legitimacy, I could no more justify holding the office than I could justify mugging poodle-walkers in the park. I once thought of running for sheriff in the Colorado county where I lived for years, since the entrenched tyrant on the job was smug and crooked, but felt that some "law enforcement" background would be essential to the job, or at least to getting elected. This would be a position where some real good could come from a libertarian knowledge of what constitutes a legitimate law rather than a counterfeit law. President of the US is different; it is not a specialized job. One must be able to see things from different perspectives, and without a lifetime of political back-scratching experience. I also feel that if you spend years getting elected to "lesser: offices, by the time you could reach a point where blog commentators feel you deserve to be President, you would be so accustomed to the political process that you would not be effective for instituting real change because by that time, you would be blind to the problem. What is needed is a political virgin, not a political whore.

America: R.I.P.?

A lot of people are saying that The Military Commisions Act of 2006 was the death knell of America.

Perhaps.

The United States has been killing America one piece at a time for 230 years.

When George Washington sent troops to put down tax protestors; when Thomas Jefferson purchased Louisiana; when the Supreme Court unilaterally decided that they would have the final word on what the Constitution means; when Lincoln used war to force the Confederate States back into the United States (and used income taxes, and forced [enslaved] troops to do the fighting); when the Second Amendment was tossed aside for the NFA in 1934; when ....you name it. There are too many to even scratch the surface.

And the pace of these abuses of federal power have been increasing for decades.

Make no mistake: the worst threat America ever faced was the United States. The US won and America lost.

I believe America lost the first time a federal employee or bureaucrat committed a violation and was permitted to live, and continued to hold office. The Constitution and Bill of Rights should have had an enforcement clause.

If we want anything resembling America to exist again, we need to put teeth into our liberty, and have the determination to USE them.

"Kent for President" Items for Sale

In case anyone is interested, I now have "Kent for President" items for sale in my CafePress shop.

Political Compass test

Here is a test to let you see where your political compass points. As with all tests that I have seen of this sort, it has some serious shortcomings where it does not allow answers that indicate that you acknowledge that "government is NOT the answer"; it forces you to choose between the lesser of the listed evils in some cases. I scored slightly right (4.00) and libertarian (-6.15) for comparison.

The Fool on the Hill

When I was a teenager, my best friend once told me he had found an old Beatles song that made him think of me. He wanted me to listen to it. The song was "The Fool on the Hill". I am not sure why he thought of me when he heard the song, and I wasn't really sure if I were being insulted. I am beginning to think that, perhaps, he was right. I am like a fool on a hill. I know what I know; I see what I see. Does anyone else see it, or care what I see? My friend's name was Jay. I wish I knew what he would think of me now, but I can't; he was shot to death when he was 24. I am writing this blog to let people know what I think on various issues, and so that they can determine for themselves if they would like to be a part of the world I can envision in my mind's eye. I don't mean this in any mystical sense. Look at history and human nature. I think that for civilization to survive, society will need to embrace a large part of a libertarian world view, if not become completely libertarian. I usually don't understand why so few people seem to realize this. Other times, I think that it is because of authoritarians' favorite twins: ignorance and apathy. Tell me: do you know or care?

School Shootings

I am sickened, appalled, and infuriated that government still demands that teachers and students continue to be sacrificed on the blood-soaked altar of "gun control"!

Call it what it is: victim disarmament.

If the state is to continue to demand that children be herded into their indoctrination centers, then at the very least, allow teachers the tools to defend our kids' lives! And for goodness sake, don't advertise schools as "gun-free zones". Anyone with a mind can see that this is just begging for violence.

This crime lays directly on the hands of every politician, bureaucrat, or activist who has ever advanced the theory that "guns cause violence". Evil people cause violence, with or without guns. Guns are the only tool that can effectively give the small and the weak a fighting chance against predators.

Only a monster would forbid them the use of this tool. Are you a monster?

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Boston Tea Party

After a considerable amount of thought, I have decided to declare that the only political party I will actively seek the nomination from is the Boston Tea Party. If I were nominated by BTP, I would gladly accept, since I support their platform fully. Now the only question is: would they have me? Only time will tell.

Privacy

Privacy means different things to different people. Some people believe that if you do not disclose every tiny detail of your life you are hiding something. Others believe that "it ain't nobody's business". Where do you draw the line? Do you need to know the sexual orientation of the guy across the room? Do you need to know if your cousin smokes pot? What if your hairdresser has a fully automatic AK-47? On the other hand, it would be good to know if your doctor keeps botching proceedures; this is a public, not private concern. Unless or until private issues affect you in some direct way, you have no right to know anything about any of these peoples' private lives. People who feel the need to know things like this used to be called "busy-bodies". The state in all its twisted forms has become the worst busy-body the world has ever known. It is populated and run by shrivelled little tyrants who have nothing better to do than to try to snoop, then catagorize, then persecute every little "deviation" from what they believe should be. This is the reason for our national ID (also known as "driver's licenses") and for Social Security numbers. (Did you know that in most cases it is a federal crime for businesses to ask for yours, and to use SSNs as identification numbers?) Government, for its own purposes, wants to learn everything it can about you, then use that information to control the aspects of your life that it does not approve of. Guess what.... you do not need the approval of government, but it does require YOUR approval. Stop giving that approval and starve the monster. Do not do anything that makes government snooping easier. I'm not saying structure your life so that it is difficult for you to function, just don't help them out. Your private life is your business, unless you choose to make it someone else's business. Choose carefully.

Badge-bullies go "Fishing"

I have a strong suspicion, which was strengthened today, that cops in general see someone they want to do a little "fishing" on, and stop, harrass and question them, just hoping to find something they can arrest or fine them for. "Are your PAPERS in order?" Oh, they will make up a reasonable-sounding LIE to "justify" this violation of your humanity, but that is all it usually is: a lie. There is no honor behind those badges. Just a withered soul looking for a victim.

Look at this: link

Licenses, Permits, Horsefeathers

Does getting a license from government make you a safe driver? Does it make you love faithfully forever? Does it make anything at all more legitimate? No. What it does do, is reinforces in your mind that you do not own your life.

Government had nothing to do with marriages until very recently. When you got married, your family and friends gathered together; a ceremony of some sort was performed; and you were married. The end. Then government decided that it needed to be sure that the wrong "types" were not marrying each other. So we got "marriage licenses". It is so ingrained into our culture that homosexuals actually want government to sanction their marriages now. Folks, if it ain't broke, don't inject any government into the mix or it will be soon! Next, the polyamorous will be looking for government approval. You don't need it!

Then there are "driver's licenses". Do they make the roads safer? Judging by my experience: no. Why does government think it has the authority to regulate travel? At first, they only insisted that commercial drivers get licensed. Once the jackboot was in the door, it was only a matter of time. Now even if you have never owned a car, government has made it difficult to exist without their card of approval. It is their way of tracking and controlling you. Notice how many "offenses" are punished by revoking your "license". Most of the time no one even bothers to put the word "driver's" in front of "license" anymore. It is as if that card is your license to exist.

Government thinks it owns you. Want to defend yourself against crime? First (according to government) you must get a permit to carry any weapon that would actually be effective for self defense. That is after getting approved to purchase the weapon in the first place. If guns are so dangerous that you must be screened before buying one, and you pass that hurdle, why is there any need for a carry permit? Does this mean that there are people that government thinks are OK to own a gun, but not to carry it anywhere? Where is the reason in that? Government has no authority to regulate, license, or otherwise control guns in any way at all. Independent of the Second Amendment. Owning and using weapons is a birthright of all humans everywhere. Then add to that the fact that the Second Amendment makes it a crime for government to try to enact any laws concerning guns, and the whole "permit sceme" flies right out the window.

If the government passes a law that required you to get a permit for an "assault typewriter" (a computer) or to attend church, or to own a book with "too many pages" (why would anyone need a book with over 500 pages, anyway?) would you comply? Why or why not? Is it because that would be ridiculous? That is my point. Government permits and licenses are horsefeathers.

Today's Libertarian Enterprise

The Libertarian Enterprise was offline most of the week, so they only have one article today, but it is very good. Please read it and really think about the message.

I Now Pause for This Commercial Message...

My cousin Charla Beth is hosting CMT's Insider temporarily. She has been the host of CMT.com/loaded's show Wide Open Country and is taking over Insider during the regular host's maternity leave. She is a very talented singer, too. (This is one of those "life is more than just politics" things). If you get a chance, watch her.

Education

Almost everyone recognizes that there is something seriously wrong with public education, or more properly: "government indoctrination centers". Too many kids graduate without being literate, and not just in the literary sense. They can't read, do basic math, distinguish between science and nonsense, or think critically about things they are told. What they can do, although some fall short here too, is jump at the sound of a bell, move with the herd, and believe it is normal to live under an authoritarian system. They may balk at this, but it is undeniably effective or else they would reject the current system in droves once they reached "voting age". That they don't, and only argue about which authoritarian to vote for (if they think about it at all), is proof that the government has indeed indoctrinated them to believe exactly what it wants them to believe.

I hated school. Every second of it was hell for me. I did not fit in. I was bored out of my mind. I was not a discipline problem; I just daydreamed. My teachers could never understand why I lacked motivation. I was too polite to tell them it was because nothing in class captured my imagination. When I got to high school, I frequently skipped class to stay in the library and read. Other than one spectacular teacher (who quit the next year in disillusionment), the library was where I learned everything I learned during high school. Obviously I thought home schooling was the answer.

After I graduated I began noticing that the home schooled kids I dealt with in my retail jobs were were almost invariably "socially awkward". This is a polite way of saying they were rude, and they tended to run amok in the store. I even saw one family's kids go from being a joy to wait on, to cocky little monsters, only a year or so after they switched to being home schooled. I also noticed that most of the parents I knew who chose to home school did so in order to keep their children from being taught science. After many years of seeing this pattern emerge, I began to dislike home schooling.

So, now that I have thoroughly confused you about where I stand on the issue, I will try to clear it all up. Government schools are awful. They are not designed for education, but for creating obedient commoners who think it is normal to have all-powerful "leaders" making nonsensical rules. Home schooling, if not done very carefully, can produce science-illiterate (but otherwise highly intelligent), self-centered authoritarians who think that no one would dare disgree with their wisdom. But... you have an absolute right to educate your children in any way you see fit. If it is important for your kids to grow up as good little factory cogs, then by all means send them to public schools as long as they continue to (unConstitutionally) exist. If you quake at the thought of your kids learning science and the scientific way of analyzing the universe, then home school.

If, however, you want to help your children become fully functional humans, it can be done with either system. Teach them to critically think about orders they are given, and not to automatically obey. Teach them how to analyze things they are told as "just so". Show them how to respect the rights of others. Expose them to things that may make you personally uncomfortable and allow them to explore. Give them a good foundation; you will not always be there to tell them what to think or do. And listen to them.

Separation of Life and State

How important is "politics"? In some ways, it is the most important thing; in others, it has absolutely no relevence to daily life whatsoever. Anyone who bases their entire life on politics is missing out on a lot. Read my previous post about what "politics" is. The personal scale is where politics matters most. On the national or international scale, it rarely matters to us individually. Let governments bluster and threaten each other all they want. Unless they begin threatening the real people, what does it really matter? What does it matter which authoritarian is president? Democrat or Republican; they are just two sides of the same cow-pie. In most cases, the best method of dealing with government predations is just to ignore the idiots' ravings and live your life. On the other hand, if you can make a difference, and won't cheapen your own life in the process, then by all means jump right in. Obey the laws that you can without betraying your principles. Ignore the counterfeit laws that you feel you need to. Don't violate the ZAP. If it will make you happy, monkeywrench government efforts to number, control, and track you. Don't believe anything government tells you without first confirming it from a reliable source. Even if it turns out to be true, does it matter? Government needs to keep you in panic in order to gain more power for itself. The state will never ackowledge a separation of life and state; that is for you to do for yourself. Don't let government intrude where it is not welcome and has no business snooping. Live your life free.

What "Politics" Means to Me

I think that politics is a system for getting along with people who you do not like. No one needs politics for dealing with those we like. Getting along with them comes automatically. Therefore, I believe that the best political system is the one which allows those who really don't like one another to still live their lives peaceably in the same space. Authoritarianism doesn't work because it usually forces those people together in a way that makes both sides more unhappy than they were before. Only in a libertarian society can people be free to associate in any way they choose, as long as no one initiates force. This is not a huge revelation, but I see it work on a small scale every day. If you truly dislike someone, minimize your dealings with them, and do not cause situations which escalate the dislike on either side. When you must deal with them, do so with the same respect that you would want, and then move along. Don't dwell on the fact that you don't like them. If you can ever grow past the need for your dislike, you might just find that they are not so bad after all. It has happened before for me.