Quotes of the Week

From the Light:
“I believe our addictive attraction to the power of government to improve our lives is the very thing that has got us into our current predicament, and that government, far from securing our lives, liberty, and property, is the only real threat to them. It actually fosters chaos, and retards the process of mutually beneficial exchange that is the very basis of civilization. Government is the mortal enemy of mankind and civilization.”
John Sampson

“If honor cannot contend with the truth we are learning about our obsession with using force and violence on our enemies, the only way for it to save face is to bow out gracefully, forever. If we as a culture do not learn to honor love, freedom, peace, and truth above all else, then I doubt it will matter very much what we do honor, if we honor anything at all.”
B. R. Merrick

“If anything defines the consensus in which a moral society can flower and thrive, it’s the recognition that theft, murder and other initiations of force place those who commit them outside of said society and in opposition to it. If there’s any basis in fact whatsoever for the idea of a “social contract,” it’s that: You only get to be part of society if you keep your hands out of other people’s pockets and off other people’s throats.
Yet theft and murder constitute the two points on any chart of behaviors which a plot of the state’s operations must inevitably cross. The state sustains itself through acts of theft and enforces its writ through the threat of death. If it doesn’t do those two things, it’s not a state. If it does do those two things, its existence and operations are inimical to the existence of the kind of society we’re frequently told can’t exist without it.”
Thomas L. Knapp

“How do you know if something is genuinely a public service? Is it a public service when you take money from one person and give it to another? The press seems to think so. Is it a public service when you load up the nation with hundreds of billions worth of programs and pet projects?”
Bill Bonner

“There should be no monetary policy, or any other kind of policy, of course. Policy is another name for unjust coercion.”
Lew Rockwell

“'Social fabric’ has but one enemy: coercion. Coercion has but one source: bad people. A large percentage of the worst (and most "effective") of the bad people are ‘public officials.’ The power associated with government attracts thugs like raw meat attracts yellow-jackets.”
Kent McManigal

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From the Darkness:

"I just think it's an outrageous precedent to set, to have this kind of, I think, intensely partisan, politicized look back at the prior administration."
Dick Cheney, whining about the Justice Department investigating whether CIA interrogators illegally abused terror suspects.

"As long as there is a foreign enemy that is radical, irresponsible and willing to do anything to cause instability and chaos . . . we need to keep them off-balance, to keep them from coming here.”
Marine Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland, speaking of the Taliban in Afghanistan. [Wa-Wha? The Taliban is a “foreign” enemy? So, what is the US military, just some good ol- homeboys?]

"You'll be doing your patriotic duty to get your seasonal flu shot this year."
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley

"Recovery act dollars are going farther and working harder than we anticipated."
Clueless Joe Biden

"I think we've reached a little bit of the silly season when the president of the United States can't tell kids in school to study hard and stay in school."
Robert Gibbs, presidential spokesman on the furor around King Obama’s plan to deliver a televised back to school speech. [No, what’s silly is the president sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.]

“Losing wars is a bad thing. It is especially bad if you are a superpower that depends on an aura of invincibility to keep rogue elements at bay. That should go without saying, but those calling for a scuttle from Afghanistan seem to have forgotten this elementary lesson.”
Max Boot

Image Review of the Week

Look skyward and sing praise to the god-state.....



.....and salute its holy symbols:



"In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself."
Albert Einstein



Flu patriots?



At least they aren’t shooting you:




"Idleness is only the refuge of weak minds."
Lord Chesterfield



"Idleness is the stupidity of the body, and stupidity is the idleness of the mind." Johann G. Seume



The IRS releases one from the gulag:



"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it....."



".....Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing."
Helen Keller



Attendance at freak shows is down. Why pay when you can watch the one in DC for free?

Change We Can Believe In- the truth of war:




Tea parties are for little girls and bootlickers. Real men resist with disobedience and armed defense:

No “citizens” left to harass- they’re all in prison:

Let’s Enlighten KayBay

Kay Bailey Hutchison, campaigning to be the next Tejas governor, is claiming to be an “enlightened” Republican. Describing a politician as “enlightened” is the equivalent mischaracterization of describing a tiger as vegetarian.

KayBay is always good for a laugh. She’s nothing more than Hillary in cowboy boots, though she certainly has a more suitable figure for pant suits than does the War Wench.

What she claims as “silly rhetoric about secession” is her constituency politely claiming that they’ve had ENOUGH of the tyranny and plunder of her demonic, thieving out of control Federal government. Her remarks remind me of King George’s perturbed reaction to the independence sentiment of the American colonists. What next? Will she denounce such secession talk as “treasonous” and threaten death by hanging to those who dare speak ill of the king?

KayBay may be wise to take seriously this “silly rhetoric,” as it reflects the growing distaste for and mistrust of the state to which she holds unbending allegiance. Her subjects have had enough of the surveillance state, unwarranted spying, trillions of mounting federal debt, bailouts of bank-sters and Wall Street cronies, a growing roster of dictatorial Czars, escalating and expanding colonial wars, belligerent posturing towards other countries, sanctioning, defending and celebrating torture, and Federal Reserve manipulated dollar devaluations.

But down comes KayBay from lofty, high-living, DC royalty claiming enlightenment for the ignorant, “silly” Tejas masses. May she sample and experience the bitter taste in the mouths of those who’ve been force fed the district’s abuse. May she quickly realize (for her own good) that the commoners will no longer stomach a diet of oligarchic despotism.

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”

Quotes of the Week

From the Light:

“Is it to the benefit of humankind to exist in, and be driven in all collective action by, perpetual and pervasive fear? The answer to that question is also the answer to the question of whether or not we need — or, indeed, can tolerate the continued existence of — the state.”
Thomas L. Knapp

“Helpless people take orders well, they don't have minds of their own, they are predictable, they won't surprise corporations or governments with resistance to the newest product craze, the newest genetic patent -- or by armed revolution. Helpless people can be counted on to despise independent citizens and hence they act as a fifth column in opposition to social change in the direction of personal sovereignty.”
John Taylor Gatto

“The ‘mainstream’ media simply can’t be trusted. That’s why newspapers are losing circulation at a rapid clip, and television news is fading in importance. It’s not the Internet that’s killing off the sainted mandarins of the "mainstream" – it’s their role as transmission belts for official propaganda, whether it be from the government or the partisan opposition. They’re shills, and everybody knows it.”
Justin Raimondo

“There’s no policy change that’s going to save us. There’s no election that’s going to put a halt to the onslaught of tyranny. It’s here already – this country has changed for the worse and will continue to change for the worse. There is now a division between the citizenry and the state. When that state is used as a tool against me, there is no longer any reason why I should owe any allegiance to that state.”
Nick Monahan

“It would seem though that the only way to ensure lack of government intervention is to limit government. Since even such a clearly written document as our constitution isn’t able to invoke the necessary integrity and morality in our federal civil servants, it’s clear that the only solution is to limit the federal government to nothing and allow the states to govern and trade amongst themselves and with other economic agents.”
Don Cooper

“From warrantless wiretapping to the suppression of information under cover of state secrets, and from the waging of imperialist wars of conquest to torture, the militarist mind-set driving capitalist elites at warp speed towards an abyss of their own creation, are signs that new political provocations are being prepared by America's permanent "shadow government" – the military-intelligence-corporate apparatus.”
Tom Burghardt

“It’s certainly encouraging that the public is concerned about the growth of government, but it’s also puzzling and discouraging that the objections do not seem based on principle. What the town hall meetings seem to be saying is, “I don’t want to jump into the fire, but I’m content to stay in the frying pan.” A lethal dose of poison is strenuously resisted, but a smaller dose is quite all right.
Any resistance to the growth of government is good, but how much better if it were based on the nature of man and the nature of government, and not on some annoying details.”
Paul Hein

“Today, Ben Bernanke is our tragic hero. His flaw is as obvious as his challenge. He thinks he can stop the world from turning.... stop the seasons...avoid the hard, correcting winter by tempting the sun with bailouts, stimulus and cheap credit. His arrogance is an affront to the gods.”
Bill Bonner

“Don't think "Taxation is theft" is merely a libertarian bumper sticker. No amount of spin, slant, cant, parsing, philosophizing or any other wordplay can turn government-imposed taxation into a voluntary activity.”
Garry Reed

“No service or product should be provided at the barrel of a gun. It’s that simple. There are no exceptions unless one believes people have no rights. If one believes people have no rights, then "government" is not "necessary" to "protect" what doesn’t exist. If you believe people have rights, then you don’t "protect" them without their freely given consent. Also, protection is not submission to the violent, unaccountable control of another, nor is violent domination a legitimate method of doing business. Would you hire people who don’t acknowledge you have property, to protect your property? I wouldn't…”
Marc Stevens

“The central government of the United States (that is, 9 unelected judges, a congressional majority of only 269, and 1 CEO) cannot manage the bloated and unwieldy empire that a century of ritualistic centralization has produced; nor will it ever relinquish power.”
George Kennan

“It’s time to stop the excuses and the pardons people keep doling out for the real terrorists; the real thieves and murderers – politicians and government bureaucrats. It’s time to put them out of business forever.”
Alex R. Knight III

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From the Darkness:

“Any nation as rich as ours ought to guarantee health coverage for all of its residents.”
Anonymous idiot writing for the NY Times

I will not personally travel in a state [Arizona] where civilians carry loaded weapons onto the sidewalks and as a means of political protest. I not only believe such practices are a threat to the future of our democracy, but I am firmly convinced that they would also endanger my own personal safety there.”
Arthur Frommer

"I know there are going to be some who say that this report [showing the government faces exploding deficits and mounting debt] proves that we can't afford health reform. I think that has it backwards."

US budget director Peter Orszag

"The documents released Monday clearly demonstrate that the individuals subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques provided the bulk of intelligence we gained about al Qaeda. This intelligence saved lives and prevented terrorist attacks. These detainees also, according to the documents, played a role in nearly every capture of al Qaeda members and associates since 2002.”
Dick Cheney

“May we honor the life and death of Sen. Edward Kennedy by laying aside the rancor, lies, fear, and even hate that has come to dominate the health-care debate in America this summer, and regain our moral compass by recovering the moral core of this debate: that too many Americans are hurting and suffering in a broken and highly inequitable health-care system, and that it is our moral obligation to repair and reform it — now.”
Jim Wallis, “Sojourners”

"The immediate release of these documents will destroy the board’s claims of exemption and right of appellate review. The institutions whose names and information would be disclosed will also suffer irreparable harm.”
A motion by the Federal Reserve to Manhattan Chief U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska to delay enforcement of her Aug. 24 decision that the identities of borrowers in 11 lending programs must be made public by Aug. 31

Image Review of the Week

In the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie:

"All the idols made by man, however terrifying they may be, are in point of fact subordinate to him, and that is why he will always have it in his power to destroy them."

Simone de Beauvoir

How I spent my summer vacation……#8- Create my own, personal torture squad:

School is open! No excuse for not knowing the rules.....

.....and taking directions:

Nosey state agents- a worldwide epidemic:

Mate and pet. Two of a kind- noisy and obnoxious:



"The silent monster is full of restrained power; resolute in its onward sweep,.....



.....impervious to danger, it looks a menacing engine of destruction,.....

.....steady to its goal, and certain of its mission."

Patrick MacGill

One man’s music is another man’s refuse:



Really? We can decide our climate? Yes, We Can!

Oh, awright. Let’s do it for Teddy:



Whatever it takes- Go where you must to claim your individual sovereignty:

The faithful Obamatrons remain devout.....

.....while others contemplate their foolishness:

At least one clunker makes it out alive:

A helping hand to lead you to bondage:

"Flu View" - the newest cable channel:




Take heed - the warning signs are everywhere:

The state’s half-assed salute to a full fledged psychopath:

“I believe it is time to bring impeachment proceedings, not against the politicians, but against the ordinary people who are not living up to their obligations to see to it that their children do not live under tyranny.”
Butler Shaffer



Motorcades for Royalty:

“Reason” Without Adequate Information = Arrogant Ignorance

I’ve written some about atheists in the past. To summarize, I believe there are two versions of these thinkers. One is the individual who considers all his available information and rationalizes they he presently sees no proof of a God/Supreme Being/Creator (GSBC). Fair enough. I call these folks, Doubters.

The other kind (what I call the Fundamentalist) not only does not believe in the existence of a GSBC but unequivocally and categorically denies any possible existence of such a being. [Please note: this discussion is not examining the accuracy, validity or content of any religious dogma that claims specific knowledge of a GSBC.]

Though professional logicians will claim that you CAN prove a negative (though never 100% conclusively), the Fundy’s claim of absolute infallibility in this particular case (involving the existence of an entity somewhere in the universe) would require an individual have all the knowledge of the universe. The only reasonable claim they can make is that made by the doubters- who see no evidence of a GSBC within the parameters of their existing knowledge, perception and reason.

Why bring this up? Recently I viewed this video offered by The League of Reason:
I find it ironic that the fascinating facts about the universe presented in this video originate from an atheist organization. Why? Because at least a couple of these facts should give atheists (particularly, Fundys) reason (no pun intended) to pause and reflect.

Less than 5% of all material and energy is directly detectable.

Yikes! As I understand it, all material within the universe is either matter OR energy. In other words, if this fact is true, we cannot presently detect (let alone see, measure or quantify) 95% of the universe! Mankind is completely clueless about 95% of the universe, yet boldly makes absolute claims about what and what does not exist? How is that rational?

Less than one octillionth of the electromagnetic spectrum is visible to our eyes.

Yikes, again! The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation- radio waves, microwaves, terahertz radiation, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays. According to Wikipedia, “EM radiation carries energy and momentum that may be imparted to matter with which it interacts.”

Obviously, EM provides a lot of information regarding the design and physical characteristics of the universe. Since virtually all of it is not visible to the eye, it appears there’s a lot of measuring and data interpretation yet to do before man can even begin to understand the nature, complexity and relevance of this phenomenon.

Cosmogony challenges the limits of human understanding.

I’ll say. So wouldn’t it be prudent to maintain an atmosphere of humbleness and modesty when making such universal, all-encompassing claims? Do Fundys really want to risk being cast as flat earth/earth-centric pre-Copernican misfits after any future, mind blowing discoveries? Shouldn’t Fundys at least pen a small asterisk after their incredible assertions when their admitted knowledge of the universe is the equivalent of a fart in a hurricane? Shouldn't Fundys base their unbelief, in part, on faith- as any honest believer in a GSBC does?

Even more mind blowing is this fascinating video:


Not only does man know virtually nothing about a universe he can’t even come close to adequately examining and measuring- but it turns out that there may be multiple universes (multiverses), including parallel universes just out of reach of our senses and perception. If these theories prove to be true, what fascinating discoveries await? What new knowledge will be gained to revolutionize our understanding of matter and energy? What new possibilities will arise? What theories, hunches, and past “superstitions” may be proven correct? What previously held dogmas (secular and religious) will be proven false? How will the very reality of our existence be changed?

My advice- by all means, continue reaching for the stars. Continually question and seek and formulate your personal truths. Just don’t allow your assertions or convictions to become unalterable dogma. Keep an open mind, feed your head, and prepare yourself for possible revelations of facts that may surpass your imagination.
　

Hypocrite on Parade

You may have seen this video posted recently at the LRC Blog. It shows a self-described Marine Corp vet speaking to his congressman at a town hall meeting about health care. Although his assertions concerning the Obama plan and Nancy Pelosi’s ignorance about Nazis are accurate, the gentleman seems characteristically confused about the US Constitution.



He claims he “swore an oath to defend my Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic.” He also claims to have “kept his oath.” The gentleman seems to have a very selective memory as pertains to his participations in illegal, unconstitutional war(s). The gentleman also seems completely unaware that, as a slave of the military, he has absolutely no power, constitutional or otherwise, to “defend” that useless piece of paper.

By his participation in the US military, he voluntarily and actively defended this very same rouge regime that he now whines about interfering with his health care! I guess things look a little different from the other side of the gulag fence.

The truth is, it is his participation in the enforcement wing of the tyrannical US Government that offers them the protection to project their illegitimate power (in this case, health care) over unwilling subjects. The truth is, the gentlemen voluntarily (along with others) defended this regime as it daily violated the US Constitution. The truth is, this gentlemen willfully followed all orders from his civilian and military masters as they trampled upon the constitutional rights of their “constituents.” This is “keeping his oath?”

Outrage rings hollow when expressed by hypocrites.