I had not intended for my last post about food quality and a certain sacredness about this thing we call Paleo to go totally off the rails into politics and social structures in comments, but it pretty much did anyway. Thank Shaun.
…Which prompted me, since I’d been saving up ideas to use in a Human Animal Political Post (TM), to forego it…maybe in favor of some food pics…how it’s going in the backyard with the cold plunge and kettlebells, and so on. But to hell with that, just for now. I don’t exactly have any idea how this post is going to come out in the end, but I have quite a bit of stuff saved up. So here goes.
My overall theme, always, is not which thing to vote for. It’s to not vote at all; to withhold your sanction from convention; from just getting along. That’s right. Be an “irresponsible citizen.” Shirk your “duty.” Get uninvolved. Unparticipate in the process. Above all, get middle finger exercise. Hey, new paleo product: Middle Finger Kettlebells.
Flip it high & often.
New idea: live for yourself, your family, your friends, the best food you can make…and your Facebook Friends and Twitter followers.
Here, let me show you why. And no, you will never, ever vote your way out of this mess and no, Ron Paul is not your Messiah. He’s just as worthless as any politician, just less overtly destructive than most.
~ The American Experiment In Liberty Has Failed. I know you don’t believe me, but, it’s actually pretty short, under 10 minutes to read and I lead off with that because it’s perhaps the most important of all the links, which I do select carefully.
It is, perhaps, a fact provocative of sour mirth that the Bill of Rights was designed trustfully to prohibit forever two of the favorite crimes of all known governments: the seizure of private property without adequate compensation and the invasion of the citizen’s liberty without justifiable cause…It is a fact provocative of mirth yet more sour that the execution of these prohibitions was put into the hands of courts, which is to say, into the hands of lawyers, which is to say, into the hands of men specifically educated to discover legal excuses for dishonest, dishonorable and anti-social acts. — H. L. Mencken, Prejudices: A Selection, pp. 180-82
That was written a long time ago and this, just the other day.
…The greatest fear of America’s Founding Fathers has been realized: The U.S. Constitution has been unable to thwart the corrosive dynamics of majority-rule democracy, which in turn has mangled the Constitution beyond recognition. The real conclusion of the American Experiment is that democracy ultimately undermines liberty and leads to tyranny and oppression by elected leaders and judges, their cronies and unelected bureaucrats. All of this is done in the name of “the people” and the “general welfare,” of course. But in fact, democracy oppresses the very demos in whose name it operates, benefiting string-pullers within the Establishment and rewarding the political constituencies they manage by paying off special interests with everyone else’s money forcibly extracted through taxation.
The Founding Fathers (especially Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, Madison, and James Monroe), as well as outside observers of the American Experiment such as Alexis de Tocqueville all feared democracy and dreaded this outcome. But, they let hope and faith in their ingenious constitutional engineering overcome their fear of the democratic state, only to discover they had replaced one tyranny with another. As one contemporary libertarian has put it :
“It is hard to think of other examples in history where so many checks and balances were placed upon centralized political power – and it is also impossible to think of a more dangerous and powerful government than the modern American leviathan. The abysmal failure of such a noble experiment should give all moralists pause. If the smallest possible government has grown into the largest conceivable government – within a few hundred years – it is hard to imagine what kind of theoretical system could conceivably control state growth in the future.” […]
Some of us observed other frailties of the U.S. Constitution years later, but deluded ourselves into believing it was all just a consequence of inadequate constitutional design, which could be overcome and rectified with appropriate constitutional changes. Alas, it is impossible any longer to labor under the delusion that democracy can be fixed by tinkering with constitutions, appointing the right judges to the bench or electing the right politicians to office. As Frank Karsten and Karen Beckman have written in Beyond Democracy, democracy cannot be fixed because it is inherently broken:
“The problems of democracy are inherent. It’s like having dinner with a million people and deciding up front the bill will be split evenly. Everyone has a strong incentive to order more than he would individually, resulting in a huge bill that everyone deplores but no individual could do anything about. Democracy therefore has a very limited self-cleansing capability. Our politicians have a natural short-term outlook since they are only temporarily in office. They will overspend, overtax and over borrow knowing their successors will have to deal with the negative consequences. Besides that, they spend other people’s money anyhow.”
But now we come to the hard part: What is to be done? If not democracy, what? If the ballot box won’t work to reverse the arrow of democratic politics, if better constitutional design can’t overcome democratic entropy, are we left with rebellion and revolution? History demonstrates that violence begets violence and the violent overthrow of tyrants begets new tyrannies, frequently worse than those they replace. Is peaceful rebellion feasible? Will non-violent, civil disobedience work to reorder our dysfunctional politics, and if so, what kind of “new order” is to replace the old order?
The fact is, we don’t know how to structure society, and any effort trying to do so by constitutional/political/social engineering—no matter how well intentioned, no matter how smart the designers—inevitably leads to disastrous outcomes. The key, therefore, is not to think about replacing what we have with something else but rather to replace it with nothing, i.e., freedom from government, not enslavement to a new form of government.
The only way human societies can possibly develop successfully to satisfy the needs and desires of the individuals that make them up is through a process of gradual evolution, not juridical, legislative and bureaucratic incrementalism, but rather a social, political and economic evolution that occurs free of all three; a trial-and-error, evolutionary process where millions of free individuals work it out on a case-by-case, day-to-day basis at the individual level of bilateral trade, voluntary contract and discourse with each other. Coercive collective action in the name of the greater good not only is immoral—who decides who has the gun?—it also is destructive of human happiness and ruinous of human potential. [emphasis added]
Yea, unusually long “excerpt,” but that’s how it rolls, sometimes. Go read the other 5 minute’s worth. Then sit back and long for your next chance to vote. You’ll Get ‘er Done in no time, Larry.
But I hope you see a distinction between that and a lot of the other stuff you see about how to “fix the system.” Fuck the system. There really is no other way, and you begin by simply ignoring it in terms of activism, encouraging others to do likewise. All you can do as an individual.
What if they held an election and nobody showed up?
Stop wasting your life on such unmitigated bullshit. Look, hasn’t The Messiah proved it, even to you lefties? More on that, later.
~ In the meantime, let’s take the cases of a doper and a faggot. No sympathy for you! You don’t get your human rights!
First up, filmmaker Rick Ray on Charlie Lynch.
In 2006, Charlie Lynch opened a medical marijuana dispensary in Morro Bay, California. He was such a stickler about following California state law that he called all the legal authorities he could. The ribbon-cutting for his shop was attended by local pols and chamber of commerce types and his shop flourished due to his outgoing personality, dedication to customer service, and strict enforcement of all laws related to medical marijuana.
In 2007, his dispensary was raided by the Drug Enforcement Administration and local sheriffs. Thus began a legal nightmare from which Lynch – and the country – has yet to awake. Placed under house arrest, threatened with an effective life sentence, and stripped of his income, Lynch became one more casuality in the war against medical marijuana.
Eventually, Lynch was tried in federal court, where the Kafkaesque proceedings meant his defense was not allowed to tell jurors that medical marijuana was legal under California law. Eventually, Lynch was sentenced to a year and a day, and was allowed to be free pending an appeal that seems unlikely to ever be fully resolved.
Lynch’s ordeal – and the country’s – is the subject of Lynching Charlie Lynch, a new documentary made by Rick Ray, who helped produce Reason.tv’s original coverage of the Lynch case as it unfolded.
Where’s your Fucking Obama-Messiah, commies? Everyone expected Republican fucks to do this sort of thing. But in matters such as this, you should be held to a far higher standard and when you don’t live up, should suffer ridicule—not for being stupid fuckheads like Republicans—but for being far worse: having zero recognizable integrity. At least republicans engage in the tyranny they promise and defend stupid behavior they uphold, like praying in school, withholding science, and teaching kids to fear sky fairies.
~ Who cares about a faggot in jail, eh? Shouldn’t they be locked up anyway? Alright, so here you go, Messiah Jesus-Obama, nowhere in sight.
Duncan Roy: Director Trapped in Men’s Central Jail
Director Duncan Roy casts a courtly image of a baronial figure as he sits in his home atop Las Flores Canyon, a modernist, Bohemian hideaway with a jaw-dropping view of the Pacific. His surroundings project an image of California’s creative lifestyle at its most alluring. But in February, Roy found himself standing alone outside Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail, released after three months of harrowing and wrongful incarceration.
During his ordeal, he learned to dodge angry Los Angeles County Sheriff’s jailers and to trade with fellow prisoners for dried ramen toppings. He was helplessly trapped in a Kafka-esque corner of America’s immigration war, where he disappeared into the bowels of the system without explanation or apparent legal recourse.
In 2006, Roy was an up-and-coming star of the British independent-film community. His first picture, AKA, had received notice and awards around the world, and he followed the well-worn path to Hollywood in search of a bigger canvas — in particular, a film adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray, to which he was attached to direct. He purchased the Las Flores house with the help of his then-boyfriend, a Malibu real estate agent who later would be featured on Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing.
Well, when the geologist who did the survey in advance of purchase later admitted to falsifying it, implicating said ex-boyfriend, and Roy called ex-boyfriend on it, he soon found himself in jail under charges of “extortion,” then an INS hold, even though he was here legally…
And now Duncan Roy understands what almost every other productive member of society who never hurts anyone does not. Please read his story. He spent 3 months locked up for absolutely no good reason. Read his story.
~ If I Wanted America to Fail.
I dunno, but as I hear the endless psychodouche from the likes of “occupiers” and other do-nothings, all I hear is STOP PRODUCING! Didn’t they try that before, like in the 1950s and 60s in China and other places? But, y’know, 15 million dead of starvation here, 20 million there? I’m sure it was for a good cause.
~ Alright, Sky God worshipers of all sorts. The gig is up. You can no longer dishonestly use that Steven Hawking “mind of God” bit from A Brief History of Time as your second favorite appeal to authority.
Stephen Hawking: ‘There is no heaven; it’s a fairy story’
Now, does anyone have an old Einstein interview we can perhaps haul out and call it a rational day?
~ Social Suicide?
OK, this is where I give back, because I really don’t care for this video. What’s next, a new victims class: atheists? I think a video like this seriously compromises what ought to be the root theme of atheism: you’re nobody’s bitch; not some fantasy in the sky or fiery pits, and fuck anyone who doesn’t like it. You’re superior (and you are).
Interesting this came out as “Bully” hit theaters. New movie idea: Bully 2 The Atheists.
Alright. That should do it. I had one more but upon closer inspection, it wasn’t what it pretended to be. I hope that was enough to offend just about everyone though. I don’t like to disappoint.
Comments are open. Everyone feel free to be on their worst behavior.
Joe 
Kate Ground 
Carlos Morales 
Nice, but I’m still looking forward to the CT post. 🙂
I’m still toying around with stuff. For instance, trying to figure out why 60 degrees feels way colder than 50 degrees.
See?
That reminds me, I need to buy a thermometer. My current CT regimen is in whatever-temperature-the-cold-tap produces, which lately, has been colder than usual thanks to the relatively cold weather we’ve had for the past month or so, but I have no idea just how cold that is. I’d guess it to be in the low 50s, but again, I’m just guessing. I hope it’s cold enough because my family already thinks I’m nuts…I’m sure loading the tub with ice won’t help.
(Hey, if someone in Missouri with a thermometer could measure that for me, I’d greatly appreciate it. Meanwhile, I still have “buy thermometer” on my list of things to do.)
55 degrees in KCMO sir.
Thanks. You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.
Real close to where I guessed it to be…but wow, can’t imagine bringing that down 10 or 15 more degrees. But every day is a little easier to endure, so I guess that’s progress toward that end. That said, I learned last night that right before going to bed is a less-than-ideal time for this. When I finally fell asleep, I slept like a rock, but it took me a while to get there.
My tap temp has gone from 52-58 in a matter of a couple of weeks.
I guess it’s time for me to break out some ice if I want to continue pursuing this indoor CT approach.
I’m going with the whatever the tap temperature is, is. I’ve done the 5 gallon buckets of ice thing. First time, we were away from home for like 6 days and when I came back they were frozen solid, and it worked well. Lowered the 130gal by a good amount. Then, over the weekend I put another 2 5-gal buckets in the box freezer and more than 24 hours later they were only frozen about an inch into the perimeter.
Too much trouble.
I’ll just do whatever the fresh tap temp is, seasonally. I do change out the tank every couple of days, the lawn appears to love the flood of 130 gallons of water.
Even in my relatively smaller bathtub, I figure it’s still going to take a prohibitively large amount of ice to make a meaningful difference. And by “prohibitively”, I mean, “an amount that will probably irritate my wife” if I were to make the necessary room in the deep freeze or buy it in the store. Actually, buying it in the store would irritate *me*…paying real cash money for frozen water. That’s crazy talk.
I’ll likely stick to the same plan to go with the cold tap water temperature. Jack Kruse probably wouldn’t approve, but I don’t have to wake up to Jack Kruse every morning.
You, sir, have the humorz.
If I had to guess, it problaby has somethign to do with the body’s reaction to the temperature WRT vasoconstriction and shutting down the capilaries in the skin.
So, at 60, no vasoconstriction, no keepign the blood deep in the body -> Heat loss is faster and more substantial.
At 50, body says, “F*CKINCOLD!” and pulls all the blood to the core so as to not lose heat. Your body stays alive longer, but your flesh becomes cold. But you’re not aware of the loss of heat, so you don’t FEEL cold.
Unscientific guess, but might hold water if researched. 😉
Jean, yea, pretty much my speculation.
So i looked into this CT thing. But nowhere have i found what i am looking for While you are toying with this subject, help me with this. I, a menopausal woman, recently started having cold flashes. Didnt know about these. Actual uncontrolably shivers. My goal as a Paleo-phite is to see if CT will relieve both hot and cold flash symptoms. Not taking drugs or hormones. Any info you have found would help. I am experimenting now, but, shoot, that water is cold. Is it worth it?
Kate, I know nothing about your specific issues, but I can say with certainty (insofar as my certainty is confined to n=1) that the cold plunges get easier. In the past few weeks, I have taken 7-8 of 20-25 minutes and each one was easier than the one before.
I hope to find someway of controlling my hypothalamus which is flipping out due to hormonal changes. Do I really want to freeze my buns off if it isn’t going to work? Still researching before I even put my big toe in. Going to California in May. Maybe will dip in the Pacific…that water is coooold!
Richard,
I think you were looking for this page on Einstein quotes re: God.
“It seems to me that the idea of a personal God is an anthropological concept which I cannot take seriously.”
Yea, i know it’s debunked, but it’s still fun to bring it up because to many Xians never got the memo. I’m sure they’ll still be quoting Hawking for years to come.
Richard,
I knew that you knew…
I thought you wanted a citation. Perhaps poor reading on my part.
Nope aretea, just closing the loop. No sweat, and thanks for the trouble of digging it up.
Slight argument, more philosophical:
I think that “THE RELIGIONS” are a load of bunk, overall. I say that being born, baptized, raised, Catholic.
But most people are never capable of attaining any real self-awareness. (And I mean in the 1700s – forget the modern cluster-fuck, with social programming via TV, twitter, music, even our children’s books any more!) So, in lieu of proper education, a “quick and dirty” religious indoctrination works wonders on enforcing “proper” thought in the majority of people. God will punish you if you disobey, etc. Not to mention, social ostracism was likely a death sentence, even in the 1800s. And before the advent of portable, effective firearms, and a place to buy pre-made ammunition? Can only carry so many spears, or even arrows. Other humans, animals, accidental injury could all be fatal, not to mention poisoned or infected water, and the difficulty of hunting larger animals alone…
But as to “god” (Can’t capitalize here, as that would mean THE God of a certain faith) – I’d say, whatever is the prime mover, or bringer of order, would be “god.” This god then supersedes the god of Abraham, Yahweh, Allah, et al. But the individual faiths have simply “adopted” that god as their God. (Detailed arguments will be ignored – wrong thread, wrong forum, for religious argument about which ones are demon-inspired vs. god-inspired.)
I’d counter with another Einstein quote: “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. And I am not certain of the former.”
Humans tend to be proud, especially when they don’t have a right to be. (See: Cluster B personality disorders; Roissy’s “Dark Triad” of Game; Greek myths ad infinitum, but especially Arachne/Ariadne.) Add in the politicized mess of modern stupidity (publish or perish, for instance), and the “First to Market” scheme of business, and then things like 6-sigma and “Lean” and “Just in time inventory”… Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission, right?
Put all that (plus some odd extracts of Liberal philosophy, where we “can’t know anything”, etc; and odd pieces of religion, like an obeisance to “God the Father”, or the “Will ofAllah”) into the blender; hit Frappe. What comes out?
I can’t figure it out either, it looks like some demon barfed all over Earth, and we’re living in it.
Hence “retiring” one’s self from the political (and other) malaise, unplugging as much useless crap as possible… and trying to, as Aristotle said, “KNOW THYSELF.”
There are reasons for the mess of Religion, Politics, etc. We could go on about it for hours – but those who wish control over others, ALWAYS are narcissists, and therefore are ALWAYS “Right”, even when the peasants are beating down the gates demanding change. “Those worthelss proles! Do they not understand, I do this for THEM?!” Sound like Marie Antionette? “They ask for bread? Let them eat cake.” She lost her head… Our leaders seem intent on doing the same.
And that is true in each sphere: Catholic church being “mine”, I’ll pick on them a little:
– “Dogma” (film) – the church went absolutely APESHIT over the very IDEA that PERHAPS Joseph and Mary acted as, well, HUSBAND AND WIFE. I mean, seriously, WTF? You can accept that the “virgin birth” of Christ is more easily explained by rape, incest, or “young hormones”, and discard that; and you can accept that Joseph was told by an angel to not turn Mary away (which would’ve resulted in stoning, IIRC), so he married her KNOWING she was pregnant; but then he was what, the ultimate cuckold for the rest of his life? His marriage was never consumated? (As I understand, not putting out the sheets from the wedding bed, with blood stains, was a BIG deal.)
Long story short, a vile, irreverant, sacriligious, bawdy, crude comedy film got far more exposure than it ever would’ve, and all the priests went back to diddling altar boys, and said, “We did our part in keeping the world safe for Christ! We can’t help that people are fallen and evil!”
WTF? Self-delusion much?
And while we’re talking about diddling altar boys – that problem has been going on since my FATHER was an altar boy, so – if the Church didn’t deal with it correctly along the way, we (as a society of multiple faiths from a mostly-consistent background at the time) are the ones to blame, as we enver enforced our OWN rules – yet we blame the Church (some blame) and the guilty priests (lots of blame) and never look in the mirror and say, “WTF?” We as a society should’ve dealt with this issue, and made examples of both the perpetrators AND the enablers (who moved the guilty from one location to another). No one to blame but US.
And now, the latest complaint is that no one wants to go into the priesthood. We won’t have enough priests! And the ones we CAN recruit are coming from Africa/Philippines/(other non-anglo culture)!
Well, WTF again? I understand wanting to make God in your own image, and therefore wishing his agent (priest) looked (and sounded) like you… But if no one wants to commit to such a lifestyle, MAYBE THERE’S A REASON? Maybe it’s just selfishness or immaturity, or maybe it’s that we can now see the underlyign lies of the faith? Maybe it’s time we concede that the human animal is best forged and tempered in adversity – and we MUST have adversity in our lives, or we decay. “Where wealth accumulates, men decay”. Proverbs, I think, reprinted in “Poor Richard’s Almanac”. Most of our poor, even those on welfare, are doing better than the petty nobles of 1700s or maybe even 1800s. Food is plentiful, entertainment is plentiful, shelter almost guaranteed – what’s to worry about? Just lie back and take more Soma… (While people like me, Richard, etc. are taxed and harrassed left, right, and center to (a) support the government, which in turn will (b) support the indigent, especially willfully indigent, and (c) provide the comfortable illusion that all ethic groups commit crime at the same rate, IE, we are sacrificed on the altar of “Diversity”. Makes no difference whether you are white, red, yellow, purple… You will be forced to conform.)
Makes me think of the old show, “The Prisoner.” (NOT the remake, the original.) “What do you want?” “We want Information. In Formation. IN FORMATION.” Be a good little cog (spheres of society, religion, corporation, etc.) Play the game. Don’t stick out. Don’t rock the boat. Don’t actually BE A HUMAN BEING. Just be the animal… Ruled by base instincts and emotions, wo you are easily controlled.
The rulers forget, they too are products of this same diverse, anti-religious, totalitarian society – so they, too are weighed down by the same fetters, mental, emotional, spiritual, physical (thimmerisol?) – and even if you’re the greatest plague-bearer rat, you’re still nothing but a RAT.
Religion is important for keeping the sheeple in line. So is proper law enforcement. But when these things fail, we are the ones to blame, too.
Why is that important part always left out?
(Answer is again that Cluster B personalities are easily led and controlled. The system gets what it selects for… Whether or not that’s what it SAYS it wants. “Where have all the good men gone?” indeed, you prissy little whore-princess… )
/Threadjack
Thanks Richard, I needed a good laugh today and that overly simplistic, ‘If I Wanted America to Fail’ video delivered. Plays right into the confirmation bias of many readers, I’m sure (and your’s too?). Makes me pine for the days when there was lead in our paint, asbestos in our buildings, chlorofluorocarbons in our air conditioners, DDT in my backyard and no seatbelts in my car.
Yea, Greg, you are such a smart mo-fo and thank you sir for the lesson in perspective.
It’s not about that, but I’ve already heard the bit about pearls, swine, et al.
….And by the way, Greg.
I’m so very happy that your Messiahs and Saviors saved your little poor, incompetent, ignorant pussy ass from the scourge of lead, asbestos, clorofluohydrohydroclorfluocabons (do you have a license to use such big words?) and…gasp…DDT…FROM YOUR BACKYEARD. YEARD!!!!!
And on DDT, fuck the millions of then brown skins who die of malaria every year.
We’ll just give ’em nets and jerk off to porno in the 5-star hotel in the heart of Africa and burry it in the expense report.
Har har.
Stupid fuck gonners.
Hey, but at least you don’t have DDT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ….in your backyard.
Go away. Stupid fucktard.
Wow, I didn’t think I’d incur that much wrath! For simply insinuating that there might be a bit of yin and yang to the idea of free markets and regulation? Really?
Can I mention that I’m glad there are things such as national parks and protected wilderness areas or is that just anathema to you, too? Do I think they’re perfect? No. Are there problems? Sure. Is the free market the answer to everything? Fuck no. Not when people are involved and opacity is preferred over transparency.
Are you simply trying to weed out those who enjoy reading your blog, yet don’t toe the line on everything? Or simply trying to discourage flippant dissenting comments?
C’mon, if that ‘If I wanted America to Fail’ video was a PETA tirade against meat, you’d be all over it for over simplification of the issue and misuse of facts and ignoring other information.
Jeez, and here I thought it’d be interesting to grab a beer/paleo beverage at the next ancestral whatever conference symposium thing.
“Jeez, and here I thought it’d be interesting to grab a beer/paleo beverage at the next ancestral whatever conference symposium thing.”
You’d be surprised. I’ll buy.
I did give fair warning for everyone to be on their worst behavior.
Sounds good.
Always happy to tee one up for some bad behavior.
OK, Greg, now that all the bad behavior is behind us, let me tell you how your comment set me off.
“Thanks Richard, I needed a good laugh today and that overly simplistic, ‘If I Wanted America to Fail’ video delivered. Plays right into the confirmation bias of many readers, I’m sure (and your’s too?). Makes me pine for the days when there was lead in our paint, asbestos in our buildings, chlorofluorocarbons in our air conditioners, DDT in my backyard and no seatbelts in my car.”
First off, condescension gets a fuck you right off. most people who know me know I’ll put up with a lot, but when I’m writing a blog, especially a roundup where reducing everything to analysis kinda spoils the whole thing, I don’t expect to be taken to task for everything someone might say that i link to or highlight.
Moreover, that particular video, while one sided has nonetheless an important theme.
Watch it again.
It’s really about the politics of the politics. its about fooling people.
Second. you do the same thing Ive seen for 20 years and have grown too impatient with to rally anything but an FY. If you want productivity, then you want asbestos, pollution, DDT, or whatever scare is in vogue.
If you want the federal deficit cut, well damn, guess we’ll have to shut down the Washington monument.
Cut the education budget? Damn, guess we’ll have to cut school lunches and cutters want kids to starve.
I could go on for a thousand lines.
Hopefully, you get the gist. Argue strong, but don’t use hand wringing bullshit.
Richard,
Totally understand. Hey, I wasn’t on my best behavior (I admitted to being flippant). But after getting riled up over Mr. Lynch’s story, I couldn’t help but find that ‘America’ video taking itself just a little too seriously and forcing a bit too much gravitas. And it did make me laugh, despite the underlying message.
I’ll stick around and try to be more constructive when I comment. Unless I’m goaded into being on my worst behavior.
…and don’t go start being a good sport about the whole thing. 🙂
I think that Ron Paul’s campaign has value, as opposed to Ron Paul the politician, who has none. His previous presidential campaign back in 07-08 was my ‘red pill,’ so I will always have a soft spot for him because of that. Though it took me a few years to become an enthusiastic middle-finger-giver to the state, I did get there, kind of the student surpassing the teacher in a way.
Speaking of red pills, Richard, what was yours? I believe you mentioned it before but I cannot remember what it was. Ayn Rand?
Questioned asked, so I’ll answer, though it is nothing like it was in 1990. Neo-Tech was my initial Red Pill. I’m sure Google can fill you in.
Hahaha. Neo-Tech. I was 13 back in 1997 when I ordered the Neo-Tech book, “God-Man: Our Final Evolution”. What struck me was the health section. I remember reading in a bit of disbelief that we were simply mentally conditioned to eat and that you could just un-condition yourself and adapt to one meal a day or fewer over time. Martin Berkhan, Brad Pilon, hell even Ori Hofmekler, eat your hearts out. hahah. Thanks for the reminder.
Yea way after my time when it was just The Neo-Tech Discovery. 114 “concepts.” Actually, pretty damn good. Unfortunately, went off into territory I did not want to follow. But, it’s the truth that’s it’s what first got me thinking for myself, 22 years ago.
Richard,
you had a chance to vote for the legalize weed referendum in Cali and you didn’t. Cuz u dont vote.
so stfu on weed
Steve
Hey man, go back to the bong. Sit there and imagine the next great weed erection.
BTW, I’m a non fan of the entire medical marijuana bullshit and if I voted, would vote against. Way too pussy and bend over for my tastes, especially since most enlightened and smart people over about the last 4 decades have smoked weed, I had a few hits Saturday night myself.
The very stupidest thing ever was to try and make this just another tobacco bullshit.
Go have fun with it. When it is legalized, I’ll be sure to get my occasional hit from a moonshiner.
Now go fuck off, you little pussy, who should know better,
Steve
Regarding weed and not voting in various referendums involving such, it occurs to me that you may have identified a systemic problem, therein. 🙂
By voting, you are purposefully backing and justifying the coercive evil system that any moral human should rally against.
Carlos, I long ago came up with a quick one-liner when asked why I don’t vote:
“because I’d never do that to you.”
I like that
Yeah, by not voting for a change…ANY change from the current laws, you obviously completely agree with the current laws.
Really? That is your conclusion?
I stated that by voting you are justifying the idea of laws, the government, and taxation.
But worse, you are seeking to be part of the bigger mob who imposes its will through force, jail, seizure, coercion (they always use what we love against us) or even death against those unfortunate enough to have fewer friends.
This is the state of your lofty system, demorepublicanocrats.
But the ballot initiative wasn’t to do away with any laws, it was the imposition of a new law…(wasn’t it? I’ll admit, I don’t stay current with other States’ initiatives…and especially California). By voting, you are justifying the idea of this new law. Only by not voting are you in actuality casting a vote for neither the existing or the proposed law.
Eh, or something like that. I was somewhat invested in this response when I started, but very quickly completely lost interest and really don’t care now. I’m even debating whether to hit “submit” or close this window…
Jof
Great display of apathy towards voting. See?
Libertarians are squishy academics, for the most part, and anarchists are quibbling drop-outs. But egoists are indomitable. What if someone were to come up with a way to massively increase the number of egoists in society — while simultaneously driving the anti-egoists out of their minds?
That is to say: Ahem.
I think that is the purpose of (to borrow a phrase from Keoni Galt @ hawaiianlibertarian.blogspot.com) Tell-a-vision. Telling you what to think, how you compare to others, what you’re ENTITLED to…
😉
Am I to understand that you believe atheists to be superior? If so, you’re a moron. Since the existence of a god can’t be proven one way or the other, the belief in one is simply personal opinion and not subject to how “superior” you are.
Put simply, there are plenty of idiotic atheists, just as there are plenty of idiotic theists.
Alex:
Amazing how logic contorts.
Atheists are superior in principle, given that most grew up with the fantasy and dumped it in spite of all admonishing by hand wringers to the contrary.
The inferior ones wriggle. That’s not Good, Alex.
God you’re a bad philosopher
Ok, unicorn
Please do keep publishing your links. They’re about the equivalent of 10lb ladies dumbbells (no pun intended) for those who’ve been at this for a while, but I see where you are.
You can’t just take it on faith, can you? And you don’t even realize how profoundly that distinguishes you from simple believers who honesty do.
Do you even realize that all of these brilliancies you’re linking to have been regurgitated and dismissed for hundreds of years? No, you don’t becaue you only seek out that which pacifiies your inability to simply believe on faith.