Archators: "pillars of the community"

It's disheartening.

People who work for government harm people while being paid with money stolen from those they harm.

Yet they are considered "pillars of the community" and given respect.

My disgust and disappointment at this state of affairs isn't going to change anything, even if I don't participate in the charade.

What I can do is treat all people as people, based not on their "job" or position, but on how they treat others. Until someone isn't nice to me, I will be nice to them. I will give them the benefit of a doubt, as a person, even if their "job" is evil and disgusting. If someone is a jerk, their "job" doesn't change how I see them.

If they live on theft and by aggression, I'm not going to excuse them because of the position they hold. Archators are archators. I will expect better of everyone.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to supporters of this blog. I probably couldn't keep doing this without you.

All politics, laws lead to slavery

(My Clovis News Journal column for August 5, 2016)

Political slavery hidden in plain sight (my chosen headline)

All politics comes down to slavery; mainstream politics being pro-slavery, regardless of any denials.

The "Right" and the "Left" may quibble over details, and whether you are owned by "society" or "the State" (usually conflating the two), but they never question that you are owned.

Under politics, you-- life, body, labor, and property-- can be used against your will, and most believe you should accept your lot.

You can be prevented from ingesting what you choose. This drives prohibition-- The War on Politically Incorrect Drugs and anti-alcohol laws-- as well as laws against large soft drinks, raw milk, and experimental medicines.

Your labor can be taken against your will. One form of coerced physical labor is conscription: "the draft". We may soon see it again; this time to include young women.

You can be forced into labor to maintain your property as the local rulers demand. Do you prefer wildflowers or a garden to a mowed lawn? Too bad. Your property isn't yours; you must work to maintain your property as government specifies. Another part of your life taken against your will.

Your property can be stolen outright, as with "taxation" or eminent domain, or some of your property's value can be destroyed by preventing you from using it as you see fit. Since you spent part of your life acquiring that property, taking any of its value from you is the same as stealing some of your life. It's time you can't get back.

Believe you own your house or land free and clear? Try not paying the annual "property tax" ransom on it and see what happens. You are forced to keep working for someone else, giving them some of your property, or government steals it all.

You can also be punished for using your body in ways the state doesn't approve, such as with prostitution or gambling. Laws similarly prevent you from contracting with a potential employer outside the bounds of what the State allows, as with "minimum wage laws".

If you'll notice, all the above are interconnected- they are all the same: slavery.

I am an abolitionist; I don't want you to be a slave. I oppose slavery in all forms- even the types you might say aren't too bad, or believe necessary. I hope you realize you own yourself and can decide where your life, labor, and property go, even if you choose servitude. Please don't let any person or group of people enslave you.

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

Wake up while it's still a choice

Years ago I had a really good friend I could discuss anything with. On almost every subject we were either in complete agreement, or close to it.

But, one day he got drunk and called me up, tearing into me over my opinion of cops.

I don't even know why the subject crossed his mind at that moment, because we never really discussed cops. It was more or less an untouched topic, and for it to suddenly cause anger in him confused me. I don't really remember how I responded to him at the time, though. Probably like I would respond to any angry drunk spouting nonsense.

Well, fast forward about a week or so, and he calls me again. This time telling me that he always thought I was crazy for what I thought about cops and other government, but he now realized I was right.

The difference was that the evening before, cops had shown up at his door and treated him like a criminal; threatening him and tossing accusations. It was a wake-up call for him.

Why is it that so few people can see reality before it bites them in the butt? Why do they have to be violated before recognizing that others are being violated? It's something I have a hard time understanding.

I never want to be one of those people who ignores evil until it directly affects them or those they love. I don't have to be murdered to understand that murder is evil.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to supporters of this blog. I probably couldn't keep doing this without you.

Working for government

It isn't right to work for government. Not at any level.

You probably don't want to admit that if you work for government and like your paycheck, but it doesn't change reality.

A job that comes with a government paycheck- financed with money stolen from others (or counterfeited by the Federal Reserve, as the case may be)- is NOT an honest job. No matter how good it makes you feel. No matter if you believe you are doing a good thing. You aren't.

A government paycheck is welfare, but of a type that is much more harmful than simply getting money for nothing- a government paycheck is welfare given as a reward for harming people. It doesn't matter that the recipient claims they "worked for it".

I feel sorry for those who go into denial over this and try to make excuses or point fingers elsewhere.

Why would I say that it isn't right to have a government job, knowing it will hurt feelings of people I know personally and care about? Because I do care about them and don't want to see them compromising themselves. I don't really care if strangers I don't like choose archation over cooperation. People I don't like probably suck anyway, so what else would I expect from them? But people I care about? I don't want them lowering themselves to that level. As tempting as it may be, and as rewarding as the paycheck is, it isn't right and they need to know.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to supporters of this blog. I probably couldn't keep doing this without you.

Random thoughts

Here is a selection of "status updates" I have posted on Facebook recently. This is what happens to the random thoughts that form inside my head. Some turn into blog posts, but most just fade away.

Enjoy.

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An election is the act of choosing a new paint job for the tank which is plowing through your house and crushing your children.

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I dislike old wives tales, and consider them ignorant and harmful.

Such as that cats will smother babies, that you shouldn't swim for an hour after eating, or that government can be good.

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If America really were the "home of the brave", then it would still be the "land of the free". In fact, not in myth.

"The brave" would never have allowed politicians with their laws and their cops to get America in the stranglehold it is in. They would have shot them long, long ago, and stood up against them then and now.

Pseudo-bravery fought for the state. With the state. And supports the state and all its trappings. Pseudo-bravery is cowardice.

Real bravery withdraws consent and lets the state collapse without support. In spite of what others say about it, or threaten to do to you.

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Among a population which believes in "authority", box cutters become weapons of mass destruction.

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Some behaviors are wrong. Such as violating someone's life, liberty, or property.

If you engage in these behaviors you have done wrong. If these behaviors are a daily part of your life, you are a bad guy. If engaging in these behaviors is a condition of you keeping a particular job, the job is evil and you are a bad guy for holding that "job". Period. There is no wiggle room there.

Pointing this out isn't "collectivist", or a refusal to understand why it is done. It isn't extremism to notice and call attention to this fact. It isn't "throwing out the baby with the bath water".

You may not like it. You may block me for calling you out on your inconsistency and hypocrisy. But it doesn't change reality just because you don't like it.

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The "State of Texas" decided to certify a 15 year-old murder suspect as an adult.

If he can be "certified as an adult" in order to give the state what it wants, why can't others be certified as an adult when it comes to sex, or alcohol, or whatever it is the state doesn't want them to have access to?

And, since he's been certified as an adult, can he now do all the "adult things" with official approval, or is this a case of where it comes with only the penalties and none of the benefits? We both know the answer to that one.

Government is so bizarre.

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If it isn't possible to remain ethical/good and defeat evil, then good is a losing position and will be wiped out regardless.
Because once you stop being ethical/good, good has lost anyway.

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There is reality, and there is the opposite.

Those who rely on the opposite of reality want to make you feel bad about choosing reality.
They'll try to say things to make you doubt that reality exists.

Or they'll try to insist that their "reality" is just as valid as any other.

If all else fails they'll say "We'll just have to agree to disagree". That's the sign that they are simply not going to entertain reality- it offends them.

Reality doesn't care that some people choose to be offended by its existence. It just is.

Strangely, rejection of reality seems to not be as fatal as you might expect. I guess that's a lucky break for most humans, and a sort of tragedy for the rest.

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Most drug abuse is simply dumb. Not evil, just dumb.

But there is one kind of drug abuse that is evil. Using the fact that drug abuse happens as an excuse to violate people to "prevent" that abuse is an abuse of drugs.

Prohibitionists are the most vile drug abusers possible. They are the truly evil drug abusers.

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Whenever I see someone complaining that a situation was made worse by "government's failure to act", I know the reality is somewhat different.

The situation may have been made worse by individuals foolishly waiting for government to act, rather than taking it upon themselves to do what they know needs to be done.

The only way government can actually make a situation worse is by doing something- often by preventing others from doing the right thing. If you believe otherwise, you may have mind problems.

Maybe government should do exploratory surgery inside your head to fix it. After all, you wouldn't want government to fail to act, would you?

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I am so disappointed in the people of this town.

I opened our little weekly paper and was so upset at what was inside I couldn't even keep reading.

First of all, the town thieves are hiring a third badge scum. That's the last thing any town needs. More cops means they will "find" more "crime"- they'll have to justify the stolen money they receive, after all.

Then I read that the school superintendent is implementing a random sexual molestation program at the school. They are calling it "random drug testing", but it relies on urinalysis, and if they watch the kids pee, they are molesting them- and if they don't, the kids will beat the test.

Why are these evil idiots not being run out of town on a rail, after being tarred and feathered? I know- because the people of the town support archation.

It makes me physically sick that people can be so dangerously ignorant.

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So this election season, the "Libertarian" Party nominated a Republican archator and a Democrat archator, while the Republican Party nominated a Democrat archator, and the Democratic Party nominated a Neocon archator.

Notice a theme there?

Why on earth would you v*te?

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What is the opposite on an anarchist?

It's not a statist, or even an authoritarian.

Nope, It's an archator.

Archators include statists, authoritarians, muggers, rapists, kidnappers, nice government employees, nasty government employees, cops, DemoCRAPublicans, malicious trespassers, borderists, copsuckers, flag wavers, slavers, banksters, the mafia, street gangs, nationalists, and anyone else who archates.

Be decent. Don't archate.

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Hey, Chief Wiggum.

I don't find it comforting or helpful that you drive around the school looking for victims to rob. Your presence is a distraction to the drivers and you make the kids less safe while you seek victims.

Go away.

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Nationalism is incompatible with reason, ethics, decency, and sense. It turns people into vile, murder-lusting robots.

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Learning should be FUN!!
Government schooling turns it into a chore.
When you make something unpleasant, you will get less of it.
Government schools cause ignorance, and create a life-long aversion to learning in most people.

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Is it "apathy" to refuse to beg politicians to not violate you?
Sure doesn't seem that way to me, but people who want you to "take political action" frame it that way.

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See what you miss out on if you aren't "friends" with me on Facebook?

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to supporters of this blog. I probably couldn't keep doing this without you.

10 years of blogging

As of today, it's been 10 years since I began this blog. I can hardly believe it. I never dreamed I would have enough to say to keep a blog going for even a week. And yet, here we are.

So much has happened since then. Some good, some horribly bad. As I type these words I am only about 7 blocks from where I sat when I made the very first post- even though I didn't actually live anywhere near here at the time.

In spite of what some people want to believe, I have changed many of my views and opinions in that time, and you can see some of those changes if you read the early embarrassing posts. After all, the only reason I began to blog was because I was running for president, and another Libertarian Party presidential hopeful signed me up for the blog and sent me the link and password and "challenged" me to blog. I thought at the time it was an odd challenge, and probably pointless. But, it wouldn't cost anything other than a little time. Right?

That was a strange experience. I had begun my campaign, but never claimed to be running as a Libertarian Party candidate and didn't really expect anyone to notice me, but someone from the LP found me and ... well, it was quite a ride while it lasted.

I believe the blog was the best thing to come from that experience. So, thank you for that, Gene Chapman. Although, I also found some really great people as a result, too.

I don't know what the next 10 years will bring. I should probably be grateful for that. I remain hopeful.

I hope you'll stick around and see where this goes. Even though 10 years is a nice round number, I don't plan to quit just yet.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

The appeal of statism

(Previously posted to Patreon-
Please consider subscribing. You can subscribe for 1 penny per month. Seriously. Is it not worth 1 cent per month to read the Patreon posts?)

Don't ever imagine that I don't understand the appeal of statism.

Statism can be warm, comfy, and cozy. Snug like a baby's blanket. You don't need to worry about what to do. Just do as you're told. No responsibilities. No doubts. You don't need to think for yourself. Just let the nice man take care of you. Reality is what you are told it is. Just believe.

All that is required of you is that you ignore the archation- the initiation of force and the violation of property rights- which is the defining characteristic of statism.

In a way statism is like a good drug. Just go with the flow, and enjoy the feeling, without fear.

It covers every situation so you don't need to bother yourself with thought.

It's funny because one complaint I have often heard about libertarianism is that it claims to cover every situation. That it leaves no space for nuance. That it takes away your need to consider every situation separately, to see if it fits.

Well, do you really need to agonize whether you should stick your tongue in a light socket every time you see one? Or might you have already worked out for yourself that it's not a good idea?

You probably also expect that if you release a brick over your foot, it will fall. It may hit your foot, and if it does, it will probably hurt. Do you really need to start from scratch each time you are holding a brick, wondering if it would fall this time?

Guess what- you have no right to archate. You either figured it out on your own or were told that by a libertarian at some point or you wouldn't be here reading these words, but if someone told you, I hope you didn't simply accept it at face value. I hope you instead examined why it is true.

Once you figure out why it is true, and why it remains true, you don't need to stress over it every time the issue raises its head. Once you figure it out for yourself, you see there is no need to worry yourself silly every time you find yourself in a situation where you have the opportunity to initiate force or violate property. You have no right to do so. Not ever. But you can choose to do things you have no right to do if you think you must; and then pay the price. And, it always comes at a price.

So, I guess statism is easy, and the opposite is hard. Abolition / Voluntaryism / Abolition / Libertarianism requires you to think. To have principles. To live by those principles. And to accept responsibility. It's no wonder statism is more popular.

It's still wrong, though.

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A big "thank you!" to supporters of this blog. I probably couldn't keep doing this without you.

People, good and bad

Just like good people can do bad things, bad people can do good things. Even really bad guys can sometimes do the right thing.

Doing one bad thing won't necessarily make a good person bad, not if it can be rectified and doesn't become a pattern, nor will doing one good thing make a bad person good.

However, if you keep doing bad things you will stop being a good person pretty fast- much faster than a bad person who keeps doing good things will become a good person.

Bad can contain more good before it becomes good, than good can contain bad.

It's that whole "In any compromise between food and poison, death always wins" thing.

So, if you want to be a good person, it is pretty important to avoid doing bad things, because it's a lot harder to regain your good than to lose it.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to supporters of this blog. I probably couldn't keep doing this without you.

Fairness isn't a real thing

Whenever I hear someone complaining that this or that "isn't fair" I have a really hard time not rolling my eyes.

Of course things aren't fair. They are just now getting a clue?

Sometimes I tell them the same thing I have told my 9 year-old daughter: "Fair" isn't a real thing. Don't expect it.

It's funny how rarely I hear that particular complaint from my daughter, even with other kids whining about it constantly all around her. She tends to focus on real things, things I might actually be able to help her solve, rather than worrying that the world isn't fair.

But, that the Universe isn't fair is no excuse for me to not try to make people believe it is when they are dealing with me. The Universe isn't fair, and doesn't care, or love, or try to help. That is MY job.

As Dilbert's Scott Adams has pointed out, "Fair" is just a concept invented so children and idiots could participate in discussions. And boy, do they rely on it!

If fair were a feature of reality-- of the Universe-- I would be making a lot more money based on how much work I do. Both with my writing and with the things I do for other people, unpaid. But it isn't, and I don't. I'm not going to stop because of this lack of fairness.

If I could figure out how to consistently turn effort and output into money, I would share the secret with everyone so it would no longer be a secret. It would only be "fair".

There are a lot of other people in the same or worse situations. Some fighting "unfairness" beyond anything I can comprehend. I'm glad I'm not in their shoes; aware I could find myself there without warning.

So, no, the world isn't fair. But you can fake it, and for one bright and shining moment, make someone believe it might sometimes be. That is within your power.

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

Free market works despite laws

(My Clovis News Journal column for July 29, 2016)

Most people do the right thing (my chosen headline)

I try to assume everyone is generally decent until they prove otherwise. If they weren't, society would be impossible; government or no government. Good people don't need to be governed, bad people can't be, and smart bad people become government.

Look for problems, and you'll find them. If you treat people as you want to be treated, most will meet you halfway.

My dad and I recently set up his motor home in a small, privately owned RV park. While we were eating lunch about 20 miles away, one of the park owners was fiddling with the water spigot and negligently turned on the water to the motor home's "black water" flush-out hose. "Black water" is the RV euphemism for sewage.

As we were heading back, we got a call saying water was running out of the motor home. Why they didn't turn off the water as soon as they noticed is a mystery. When we got back to the park, it was worse than we feared. Water was flowing out of the RV anywhere it could escape. The "black water" tank had filled, breaking the toilet valve, and was overflowing into the motor home, and beyond.

Inside the RV was a horror show, particularly for my mom's cat who had stowed away and was awaiting a ride home.

We cleaned up the mess the best we could, readied the motor home for travel, and brought it back for cleaning and repair.

The RV park owners gracefully offered to pay for damages and cleaning.

Now, you can say this isn't how things always work out, and you would be right. Some people would say "not my problem". But, would you patronize their business ever again? Would your word-of-mouth advertising send them new customers? How long would they stay in business?

In a free society this would be the norm, rather than the exception. In fact, I believe it already is-- outside of government-- since people who depend on you making the choice to voluntarily spend your money with them want to keep you happy.

Only those you are forced to pay-- government bureaucracies-- can completely ignore your satisfaction. What do they care? If you refuse to pay for their services, they will send armed bullies to either get your money or kill you.

On the other hand, the free market works, even when crippled by having to work around government's made up laws. I'm happy to give it a chance.

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

Prohibition is drug abuse

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

Churches contaminated by cops

I get it that bad guys are welcomed in churches, supposedly so they can be convinced to repent- which means, don't continue to do the bad thing anymore. People in churches usually want to give bad guys a chance to stop being bad guys, and I can respect that.

But what if the bad guys don't even admit they are doing anything wrong?

Would your church allow an unrepentant murderer to attend without calling him out on it? Without demanding he turn from his ways and atone? Probably even insisting that he accept the painful and unpleasant consequences for his actions?

Would a church just let a rapist who admits he has non-voluntary sex with people on a daily basis, but who denies he's doing anything wrong by doing so (perhaps rejecting the label of "rape" for his actions), keep sitting among the members? Sunday after Sunday, without calling him aside about what he continues to do?

If your church allows cops to attend, without insisting they turn from their ways and stop being a cop, it is doing the exact same thing. If they attend church in uniform, it's even worse. In this case they are celebrating and advertising what they do. Probably even being prideful about it. And delusional church members may even believe they are doing a good thing!

But there are no good cops, and good people can't support cops without compromising away their good. It doesn't change matters if you are sitting in a pew, or standing behind a pulpit. If you condone what cops do, you have no moral high ground from which to speak to anyone about moral matters. You are an empty shell.

If I attended church I couldn't continue to attend one that didn't ask cops who showed up for services to turn from their ways. Relentlessly, until they change "jobs" or stop attending. My dislike for hypocrisy and inconsistency just wouldn't let me stay.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

I'm nice, but I won't lie to you

People who know me consider me a nice guy, so it shocks them when I refuse to lie and say cops are OK people. (And actually, the same goes for all politicians and bureaucrats- they are not OK. Not ever!) I will always admit that cops are bad guys.

"Polite society" just doesn't do that!

Since I am nice, people expect me to excuse cops, or go with the hilariously absurd "few bad apples" narrative. I won't do it.

I may say nothing if I don't have time to get into an argument, or if I don't believe you will be swayed. Never mistake my silence as agreement, though.

I am nice, but more than that, I am too good a person to lie to spare your feelings.

Your friendly uncle who is a cop is a bad guy. A scum. An archator. You need to accept reality, but if you choose not to, I won't lie to help you avoid the truth. That wouldn't be good of me- or nice, either.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

Pirates and cops- but I repeat myself

I like pirates. Not the real pirates who archate, but fictional pirates who are often noble scoundrels and outlaws, but who don't really do much evil (and do none in the real world, because they are fictional). And I love their weapons and how they dress.

I recognize the difference between the fictional pirates I love and the real ones, who are all scum.

Too bad people who admire cops (one type of real-life pirates) can't do the same. They like- often to the point of worship- actual bad guys. You just shouldn't do that.

I have liked some fictional cops. Just like with pirates, I realize fiction isn't reality.

I won't call for your murder if you defend yourself with deadly force from a real-life pirate, whether he's a cop or not.

Cop lovers are delusional.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

Magic words

Magic words. So many people place hope in them. If they find the "right" definition, it will banish the bullies of the State, or otherwise protect them. Or so they believe.

Here's a free clue: the bullies of the State don't give a crap about your definitions- even if they are correct. They don't give a crap about mine, either.

They are going to do what they are going to do. No recitation of magical words will make them change their minds or their behavior.

But... what definitions can do is change the way YOU think about things. In a big way. They can make you see reality in a different light. That is where they are useful and helpful, not in court or when facing Blue Line Gang scum.

Maybe- just maybe- used correctly, definitions can change someone else's mind, too.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

Lying to Government

I was raised to always tell the truth, although I have often fallen short of that goal. I don't even like lying to save someone's feelings from being hurt. My second wife used to ridicule me for not lying "enough".

So this may seem uncharacteristic.

I think it is often more moral and ethical to lie to government agents and bureaucrats than it is to be truthful with them. It may be dangerous to do the right thing, though.

If you had lived in Nazi Germany, would you have lied to protect hidden Jews? It was illegal and dangerous to do so. But it was the right thing to do.

Would you feel guilty if you got mugged and hid the fact that you have $20 in your shoe? Are you obligated to reveal it to the mugger so he can take it? Only a fool would say "yes". 

In a consensual relationship, I can see the point of being totally open with the other party (although even that may not be best, and may damage any relationship).

No one is obligated to be truthful in a coercive "relationship" such as between you and The State or a freelance mugger. 

It's a small matter of degree between protecting innocent people from freelance bullies, and lying to an IRS agent about your neighbor's off-the-books home business. It may well be a matter of survival to your neighbor.

One of the most important times to lie to government is when you have a chance to be selected for a jury. This is one of your few opportunities to save someone from government in a concrete way.

Tyranny fighter Julian Heicklen reminds us:

Judge will tell jurors they must uphold the law as he gives it.
If you are a dishonorable person, you will agree.
If you are an honest person you will decline and be removed as a juror.
If you are an honorable person, you will agree and then ignore the oath.

It can not be wrong to lie to keep someone from being violated by someone else. Not ever.

(Steemit link)

(Updated from a really old post)

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

Archate

Archate (ark-ate)

verb

to initiate force; to use violence against someone who isn't being violent; to start the fight; to throw the first punch; to attack without a credible imminent threat of being attacked;
also, to violate the private property of another, to steal, rob, "tax"; to malevolently trespass; to force others to use their property in a particular way, or to prevent them from using their property as they wish, even though it would violate no other person or property; to bully or govern.

From "arch(ós)" leader, king, ruler , and "-ate", the exercise of such a function

Forms- Archate, archation, archator: one who archates.

This is the meaning of "tread on", as in "Don't tread on me" (or anyone!).

I am an anarchist. I do not archate, nor do I support those who do.

"No human being has the right, under ANY circumstances, to archate, nor to advocate or delegate archation."

Of course, since the Zero Aggression Principle (linked above) isn't a "thou shalt not" to be applied to others, but is instead a promise from me to you, letting you know what to expect in dealings with me, you are free to archate, but you are stepping outside what you have a right to do if you choose to do so, and in that case anyone has the right to defend themselves from you. No job or position can give you the right to archate, because such a right doesn't exist and therefore can not be delegated to anyone.

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

Manipulated into v*ting

I don't need a president. I don't support Trump or Clinton (or Johnson, or even Vermin Supreme). I won't v*te. I have no pony in the show, but...

It is obvious to me how badly the mainstream mass media wants Hillary to win. So they do everything they can to paint Trump as UltraHitler, and to fool The People into v*ting for Hillary Clinton. It's so obvious it should be embarrassing to them.

Hillary's shortcomings, health problems, and crimes are ignored or glossed over. Everything Trump does is snatched up, latched onto, and twisted into the worst possible interpretation and then harped on endlessly. The mainstream mass media is absolutely desperate for Hillary to be president. Desperate!

If I were a v*ter, I'd v*te for anyone other than Hillary for that reason alone. I hate feeling manipulated. But, if I change my behavior just because the mass media wants me to do one thing, and I do the opposite, I have still been manipulated. Every v*ter has been manipulated in one way or the other. It's unavoidable.

The best option is still to refuse to v*te. Why keep playing a rigged game against liars? You really don't have to, you know.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.

Free market helps economy grow

(My Clovis News Journal column for July 22, 2016)

Liberty gives prosperity a chance (my choice for the headline)

How's the economy treating you?

Unless you have a job where people are forced to pay for your services whether they want them or not, things could probably be better.

You may have many ideas which could bring in money by offering products and services to people. You just need the chance.

The main limiting factor is often the roadblocks to economic growth erected by government. Things like permits, licenses, taxes, and all the other laws and regulations which seem to exist for no reason but to destroy the economy, one entrepreneur at a time.

The most effective lie used to justify those economy destroyers is that without them you'd harm your customers. But, in a free market, how long would your business-- or you-- last if you were known to be harming your customers?

Consider what most people imagine as a worst case outcome of a free market.

Yes, in a truly free society you'd be able to set up shop selling heroin. Without a license, to anyone, with no government to watch over your shoulder. Does that scare you? It shouldn't. That's how it has always been, except for the past century or so. The drug abuse problem has never been worse than under prohibition, plus prohibition breeds violent crime.

A free market heroin seller would be personally responsible if he sold a contaminated product, sold to someone who didn't understand the dangers, or cheated customers. There would be no corporation to hide behind. It would be in his best interest to sell responsibly, and to make sure his customers understood the dangers. Yes, some people would still abuse his product, and some would die. Prohibition never prevents this, either. But there would be no crime associated with his business.

If a customer wrecked his life with addiction, he couldn't end up on welfare (including a prison stay) financed by robbing his neighbors through taxation. If he needed financial help, he (along with any family who stayed around) could appeal to the charitable nature of others. If he is known as a bad or untrustworthy person, he'd have a hard time finding someone willing to help. Just as it should be.

You probably have better ideas of what you'd do in the absence of the State. The same rules of the market would apply to your venture, as well.

Liberty doesn't result from prosperity; liberty gives birth to prosperity. It's time to bring liberty-- and prosperity-- back to America.

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Doomsaying is fun!

I'm not sure why it crossed my mind today, but I found myself feeling nostalgic for "The Y2K bug".

I never believed Y2K would cause any real problem, but I enjoyed pretending it might, and imagining what I should do just in case.

The funny thing is, I didn't actually do anything different than things I always did anyway. But it was fun. All my life I have done various things to make sure I am ready for TEOTWAWKI/TSHTF scenarios. That was just another- and an experience I could share with other people for a change.

I enjoyed comparing notes with others to see what they were ready for- or felt they weren't yet ready for. And allaying the fears of those who actually believed something would come of it. Those were the days before I joined the online world, so all my discussions about it were were face-to-face.

Then, when midnight rolled around for New Year's 2000, I was sitting beside a campfire, dressed in buckskin clothes, with a rifle beside me and a pistol on my belt- in other words, pretty much how I spent all my time back then, anyway. I wasn't even watching a clock- although I knew from the distant sound of shots or fireworks when the time had come.

I hate to say it, but I would like another Y2K-type "crisis" to come along. Nothing since then- not the religious "End Times" predictions, or asteroid scares- has quite measured up.

(Steemit link)

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A big "thank you!" to those of you who support this blog, with your visits, shares, or money. If you get any value from my writing, consider a subscription or a one-time donation to keep this blog going. If you believe I have contributed anything to the conversation regarding liberty during the ten years this blog has existed, and believe I have more to contribute, help me keep writing without the added difficulty of having a boss to offend.