Contest Rant

For well over forty years, my adult life has been invested in defending the principles of individual human freedom as expressed in the founding documents of the United States of America. That effort has encompassed a professional career in radio and television broadcasting, the print media and lecture tours on high school and college campuses, books, and thousands of essays. 1

A full understanding requires knowledge going back to the origins of America and the division between the Federalists, who basically wanted a King and those Colonists who desired personal, individual freedom.2

I am more disturbed over the brainwashing techniques being applied to school age children via the mandatory, forced education process embedded in American culture. Nine out of ten school aged kids who write and post on this forum are abysmally ignorant of American history or the concepts of human freedom.3

The United States of America is not a Democracy, modified mob rule, instead, it is a Representational Republic functioning within the umbrella of the Constitution of the United States. That document is our basic and fundamental law, to which all other laws are subordinate.4

Socialists want a 'Nanny' government, a 'Big Brother', in Orwellian terms, to tell them how to live their lives. They want the government to solve all the problems of society and provide them with a cradle to grave security and guarantee of all the comforts of life.5

Real Americans desire just the freedom to 'pursue' those essentials and pleasures of life.6

Real Americans do not want your forced public education funded by confiscated property taxes and we sure as hell do not want Socialized Medicine, forced Social Security, Medicade, Medicare or Environmental Gestapho's regulating and controlling our Private Property or our Industrial and Business efforts to create the wealth that sustains us.7

The Constitution authorizes Government to provide a Military to preserve the Sovereignty of the Nation, a Police force and Court system to protect our basic civil rights and provide a means of adjudication of wrongs committed against individuals.8

All, rights, the rights to life, liberty and property, are individual rights, not vested in government, the 'greater good', or the community at large, but in the individual. Government exists only to protect and defend those enumerated rights.9

You 'anti war', pacifist assholes don't even deserve the mantle of 'Americans', you should move to Communist China and find happiness in the slave society you dream of, your 'socialist utopia', is in full bloom there.10

What follows is a few of my most recent contributions to human freedom.11

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm12

IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 177613

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America14

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.15

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, 16

http://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=586982&page=217

Wikipedia:18

Patriotism19

Quote:20

"...Patriotism denotes positive and supportive attitudes to a 'fatherland' (Latin patria < Greek patris, πατρίς, by individuals and groups. The 'fatherland' (or 'motherland') can be a region or a city, but patriotism usually applies to a nation and/or a nation-state. Patriotism covers such attitudes as: pride in its achievements and culture, the desire to preserve its character and the basis of the culture, and identification with other members of the nation. Patriotism is closely associated with nationalism, and the terms are often used synonymously. Strictly speaking, nationalism is an ideology - but it often promotes patriotic attitudes as desirable and appropriate. (Both nationalist political movements, and patriotic expression, may, yet need not, be negative towards other people's 'fatherland').21

Patriotism has ethical connotations: it implies that the 'fatherland' (however defined) is a moral standard or moral value in itself. The expression my country right or wrong—perhaps a misquotation of the American naval officer Stephen Decatur, but also attributed to Carl Schurz—is the extreme form of this belief. Patriotism also implies that the individual should place the interests of the nation above their personal and group interests. In wartime, the sacrifice may extend to their own life. Death in battle for the fatherland is the archetype of extreme patriotism...."22

~~~23

(essay by Amicus)24

The United States of America. Amerigo Vespucci gave us our name, so they say.25

They say the Vikings visited North America long before Columbus was given credit.26

Cloudy says her people were here long before.27

More recent theories say the Europeans followed the edges of an ice age glacier from somewhere near Spain to the North American Continent, perhaps before Cloudy's came across the Bering land Bridge. But then in Tierra del Fuego at the bottom of South America comes evidence that other sea people may have visited early on also.28

They say that all of Europe and Asia was explored and settled long before the America's were, with humanity's cradle being Africa.29

By that, I begin to make my case that America is unique among all nations of the world simply by its' isolation from the earliest gatherings of humankind.30

All the European explorer nations played a role in the early exploration and colonization of the Americas and its native population, to include Cloudy yet again.31

When the dust settled and the cannons quieted. a nation was born, and soon stretched ocean to ocean, sea to shining sea based on those unique and special documents we still pay homage to.32

A new style of nationhood, first of its kind in the history of the world, one without allegiance to God or King, but to the people, of the people, by and for the people.33

I watched a documentary a few days ago about the Sumatran Tsunami of a few years ago. In the coverage was a young British woman, her attitude struck me as Regal, for lack of a better world. In her courage and demeanor, having survived the tragedy, she had a look of integrity and worth and value that seemed like 'coming home' to me, I understood her eyes, her carriage, her dignity in the face of disaster.34

I thought what grand roots we Americans have, coming from such stock.35

America is a land of immigrants, even Cloudy and her crowd came from somewhere else. Every nation on earth, every ethnic group resides within our borders protected by our basic documents, their freedoms guaranteed for as long as the nation survives.36

I have traveled this nation, east to west, north to south, sea to sea, border to border and seen wondrous things. It is a huge and diverse nation with surprises of every kind at every turn.37

It is my nation, it is my country and I have great pride in being born here and being an American.38

This great 'melting pot' of many cultures has earned my respect and my loyalty for all the reasons mentioned in the definition of the word, Patriotism.39

Had I not been born here, a native son, I would have found my way here, never to leave.40

Amicus...41

__________________42

“Vegetarian, thats like the Amerind word for poor hunter isn't it?...”43

("Cloudy", is a forum participant who is Native American and thinks the Colonists stole her ancestor's land. She conveniently forgets that Native Americans joined the British and French forces and slaughtered colonists, men, women and children, cut off their scalps and sold them to the Redcoats.)44

~~~~~45

http://english.literotica.com/storie...ge=submissions46

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/141...e=UTF8&s=books47

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/059...e=UTF8&s=books48

~~~~~49

"Things you do, come back to you, as if they knew the way."50

~~~~51

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War52

Casualties53

The total loss of life resulting from the American Revolutionary War is unknown. As was typical in the wars of the era, disease claimed more lives than battle. Historian Joseph Ellis suggests that Washington's decision to have his troops inoculated against the smallpox epidemic was one of his most important decisions.[21]54

An estimated 25,000 American Revolutionaries died during active military service. About 8,000 of these deaths were in battle; the other 17,000 deaths were from disease, including about 8,000 who died while prisoners of war. The number of Revolutionaries seriously wounded or disabled by the war has been estimated from 8,500 to 25,000. The total American military casualty figure was therefore as high as 50,000.[22]55

http://www.militaryfactory.com/american_war_deaths.asp56

The following is a listing of US casualties in the various conflicts that have been a part of the country's history. The following numbers reflect deaths and excluded wounded and missing.57

Partial Source: U.S. Army Military History Institute, Carlisle, PA58

CONFLICT SPAN TOTALS59

War of Independence (1775-1783) 25,00060

Quasi-War (1798-1800) 2061

Barbary Wars (1801-1815) 3562

War of 1812 (1812-1815) 20,00063

1st Seminole War (1817-1818) 3064

2nd Seminole War (1835-1842) 1,50065

Mexican-American War (1846-1848) 13,28366

3rd Seminole War (1855-1858) 2667

Civil War (1861-1865) 623,02668

Indian Wars (1865-1898) 91969

Spanish-American War (1898) 2,44670

Philippine War (1898-1902) 4,19671

Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3772

Mexican Revolution (1914-1919) 3573

Haiti Occupation (1915-1934) 14674

World War 1 (1917-1918) 116,70875

World War 2 (1941-1945) 407,31676

Korean War (1950-1953) 36,91477

Vietnam War (1964-1973) 58,16978

El Salvador (1980-1992) 2079

Beirut (1982-1984) 26680

Persian Gulf Support (1987-1988) 3981

Invasion of Grenada (1983) 1982

Invasion of Panama (1989) 4083

Gulf War (1991) 26984

Somalia (1992-1993) 4385

Bosnia 1995 1286

Afghanistan (2002-2008) 48287

Iraqi (2003-2008) 3,97588

(World War Two stopped the advance of German and Japanese Fascism that had conquered Europe and Asia. Without the participation of the United States, you would be speaking German or Japanese. The Berlin Airlift, NATO, SEATO, the Allied coalition in Korea and Vietnam eventually bankrupted and destroyed the Soviet Union, the main force behind the attempt to establish International Communism on a Global scale. To bad they didn't teach you all this in school.)89

When was the last time you visited a Veteran's gravesite and gave thanks?90

~~~91

(essay by Amicus)92

Origin of the intellectual93

Dear Impressive...94

Not to single you out individually, but your expressed jealousy, envy, hatred, however you name it, of those, "rich old farts", set me to thinking.95

I am going to include you, loosely, under the banner of 'intellectual', as I think that fairly describes most on this enlightened forum of Author's and Critics.96

I posted a thread concerning, 'intellectuals' a little less than a year ago, if memory serves, answering the question as to why artists, musicians, writers, poets, the Hollywood crowd. intellectuals, if you will, are so opposed to Capitalism, the free market and individual human freedom per se.97

I referenced a book by a noted economist,(de Jouvenal in a book edited by Hazlit) as I recall and to not claim credit for this observation; I also probably lifted a few lines from Ayn Rand, as I am wont to do, to support a viewpoint.98

There were no intellectuals among early humans. Leadership was by brute force and brawn, early on and did not change much through the 'hunter/gatherer stage in man's evolution, and not many as man settled and became an agricultural creature.99

The theory is that those who lived by the product of their minds and not their backs, were most likely priests and shamans who were supported by the rest of the tribe or settlement.100

Aside from the young girls (and boys) that serviced the priests, a few bright boys went into service as protectors and eventually scribes and appointment makers for the high and might priest.101

Therein is the origin of the 'intellectual', those individuals who put food on the table by exchanging a 'mental' service rather than a 'physical', one, if you follow my thought.102

There was quite a conflict when the 'leadership' of the tribe found conflict with the 'priests' of the tribe, conflict in several ways. Those not born to purvey religion or of royal blood, but still a part of the scene, 'the intellectuals', had to choose a master to serve, King or Church.(to simplify and predict)103

With the wealth the Kings and Priests confiscated from the common people, they could afford to hire a musician, perhaps, for outside the bedroom window, maybe even an artist to decorate a wall or two, more examples of 'intellectuals' who survived by serving a master.104

You can fast forward, with variations on a theme, of course, through Persia and the Glory of Rome, hustle on through the dark ages and into the Royalty of Europe, as the intellectual community expanded and retracted according to the ability of the masters to afford their services.105

With the advent of Mercantilism, the intellectuals were faced with a difficult decision. Leave the glory of the Court or the Church for the Churlish Trader and his fat wife, (old fart that he was)? Well, not really a choice, the Businessman, the Merchant, had all the money and the sparkling gems.(until confiscated by the King or the Pope)106

Thus began that which continues today, the disenfranchised intellectual, prostituting himself for money and hating every filthy gold piece.107

Intellectuals, artists, musicians, writers, Bohemians in general have always bitten the hands that fed them and cursed their lot in life.108

With the immense ego required to stand above the rest, as intellectuals always have, it is most degrading to have to bow to the filthy rich capitalist that puts the Chardonnay on your table.109

The Utopian dream of these misaffected literati, is that the good people of the world will elevate them to their proper status in society and reward them with riches beyond their wildest dreams.110

The system they created to fulfill that wish; is called Socialism.111

How ya like them apples, Imp?112

chuckles....113

Amicus....114

~~~115

The Now, More Than Apparent, Folly of Government (political)116

They always hated the big gas guzzling American cars, those tidy little Europeans with their toy automobiles. I just smiled with tolerance.117

It was never humorous as they shut down the forests to preserve the owls and home prices increased. Nor amusing when they shut down fishing to preserve the species and at the same time halted any further construction of hydroelectric dams.118

More pain when they 'mitigated' wet lands and prevented human habitation from expanding and brought about a housing shortage.119

The efforts to 'clean up' the coal and gas fired generators of electricity added dollars and dollars per month the the energy bill of every consumer. Prices of all commodities increased as factories and plants paid a larger energy bill.120

Government supported the power of the labor unions who soon, with increased wages and benefits, drove the price of American manufactured automobiles so high that foreign factories could produce, promote and ship and undersell the American made product.121

It was government in general that has forbid the construction of nuclear power plants for nearly forty years; the same length of time since a new oil refinery was constructed. And of course, the government is instrumental in preventing oil exploration in the continental United States and in offshore waters.122

Now, as the 2008 General election looms, we suffer record high prices for gasoline and diesel fuel. This means increased costs for airlines and trucking companies, not to speak of the daily commuter, the soccer mom who shops and takes kids to after school events.123

Government again decided to make fuel out of corn, the 'ethanol craze', the side effect of which, is to increase and in some cases double food prices of beef, milk, eggs, cereal grains and a host of other essential items.124

Solar energy is not a viable answer, nor are wind farms as even far left Massachusetts says, "NIMBY" Not In My Back Yard!" Hell no!125

The chickens have finally come home to roost. Starting as far back as Gifford Pinchot, (look him up) and the National Forests fiasco, through Roosevelt and his New Deal, through the New Frontier of Kennedy and the Great Society of Johnson, the avarice of big government is calling in the cards.126

It had to happen, sooner or later, didn't it?127

It is only going to get worse, mark my word.128

It is a ten year lead time and tens of billions of dollars of investment, risk, venture capital to bring a nuclear plant online. About the same for a new offshore drilling site or exploration and development in such places as the sacred ANWAR.129

My point being, just so you can not evade it; you brought this on yourselves. You asked for it, you got it.130

The usual course of action for a failed governmental program at this stage, would be to Nationalize all industry, conscript labor, freeze prices and wages and essentially institute Marshal Law and draft all eighteen year olds' for national services of one sort or another.131

All contingency plans on the books for both Obama and Clinton.132

Read it and weep my friends and remember...I told you so.133

I have been telling you so for most of my professional life, somewhat over forty years now.134

I trust you enjoy your Utopian future; I hope your children understand how and why you failed them. It was such a beautiful dream was it not? Everything for free: education, health care, retirement, all paid for by someone else.135

No, it won't all happen tomorrow, but it is inevitable, the dye is cast, you made your choices and the consequences will arrive.136

Amicus....137

~~~138

Incidentally, the War in the Middle East has been going on since oil was discovered in the first few decades of the 20th Century. The Fascists and the Communists in the 1930's, along with the Western Powers were buying and exporting crude from the ruling Sheik's and Mullah's long before World War Two erupted and the American and Brits, under Patton and Montgomery, kicked Rommel, the Desert Fox, out of Tunisia. The Arabs have sworn to push the Israeli's into the sea since they became a nation in 1947. Without exporting oil, the Arab nations would still be pushing Dates and Olive Oil. The Arab attacks on American Embassies around the world, the USS Cole and the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, may all mean nothing to you....but as an American, they mean something to me, and most Americans except the radical left wing wacko's.139

Another, 'incidentally' President George Bush will go down in history as the President who, following the cowardice of Bill Clinton, defended America after a devastating attack on 9/11, over came the economic disaster that followed and used the power of the Federal government to rescue and rebuild New Orleans following the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina, set America back on course to generate electricity by revitalizing the Nuclear Industry, appointed two Supreme Court Justices that will eventually overturn the horror that is abortion, the taking of an innocent human life, and set man to renew our quest into space with both Moon and Mars Missions planned and funded.140

One can forgive the ignorance of youth, but for those of you over thirty, there is no excuse.141

Amicus...142