A Visit from the Founders

Defunct e-mail listserve | July 3, 1999 | Taz

[EveningStar]

(This was originally published on a now defunct listserve. The author granted me written permission to republish it.)

[EveningStar]

ping

[tet68]

Where is the rest of it?

[EveningStar]

Sorry. It's one of those I can't do anything right days.

[Admin Moderator]

Fixed, thanks.

[John Filson]

The founding fathers never would have hinted at limits on press freedom. They wouldn't have been surprised at the damage that could be done by a CBS or a New York Times. Understanding this, they would have welcomed the Internet. They would have seen Free Republic as part of the press, and they would have expected blogs to balance out the power of printed and broadcast media.

[EveningStar]

Fixed. Thanks for pointing it out. :)

[EveningStar]

Thank you!

[Admin Moderator]

Welcome.

[dixiechick2000]

Very nice read.
Thanks for posting.

A very Happy Independence Day to you! ;o)

[Robert_Paulson2]

Thanks for posting this. It makes a great point.
the other day on free republic, I saw a reprint of Thomas Paine's "common sense".

I found something posted something like...

"thomas paine was not really that well received by the founding fathers... you would all be surprised."

It was one of our local theocrats, a social conservative.

what we see as liberty... some folks scream 'license'.
what we see as freedom... some folks scream 'anarchy'.
what we see as God given rights... some folks scream 'sinful self indulgence.'

it goes WAY beyond gun rights.
there are folks that are continually obsessed with what others are doing, especially in private, and believe that EVERY grain of sand moved in another's life, affects them directly and that this justifies the ever expanding moral/safety nanny state.

On the other hand, there are those that want as little government as possible, as long as there is no interference in the rights of others... and reject the idea that WE are, in every detail of life, our brothers 'keeper'... (or jailer, perhaps.)

And that is the fracturing line of this nation...
I tire of ever larger and more intrusive, controlling government... in the name of safety, and the good of the children.

let us protect ourselves. let us have our guns... and get the governmental hell out of our lives and out of our way... along with all the sychophant nanny state worshippers who want government to enforce or regulate EVERY thing that exists, in one way or another.

I would rather die free, than live in subjugation to a all powerful nanny state, beating me over the head with their version of the Bible, or 'proper religious tradition.'


Government makes a pathetic substitute god.

[R. Scott]

[EveningStar]

ROFL!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

let us protect ourselves. let us have our guns... and get the governmental hell out of our lives and out of our way... along with all the sychophant nanny state worshippers who want government to enforce or regulate EVERY thing that exists, in one way or another.

Don't you just wish they'd all move to Europe sometimes? It's even more fun when some of these people are in your own family.

[Robert_Paulson2]

The cartoon in 13 made me laugh.

but when I thought about this weekend... gotta admit... got just a little teary.
do you think they are scratching their heads, or shaking their heads.

[exnavychick]

Interesting read...thanks for the ping! Happy 4th of July to you. :)

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

They're probably spinning in their graves at 1000 rpm.

[John Filson]

I'd bet that what would disturb them most is our continued inability to think for ourselves.

[Robert_Paulson2]

"I'd bet that what would disturb them most is our continued inability to think for ourselves."

---

A direct indication of ingrained group think.
It comes from the punishment of non-conformists, free thinkers and innovative thinking.
the necessity to conform is coerced at every level of the culture.
the societal addiction to evermore rules, regulations and guidelines for behavior to enforce that conformity.

and of late, the slurs of "self-indulgent, anarchohedonist," being thrown around flippantly at people all over the place, for merely engaging in 'unauthorized' personal thoughts, opinions and actions.

what is most concerning is the tendency to roll over for the enforced conformity crowd. the pervasiveness of the various camps of group think, is so extensive, just thinking about it makes one exhausted.

And group think not only infects the democrat party, but also what passes for conservatism these days. Toe the line for the good of the children, and the betterment of our communities... or else.

Rugged individualism espoused by Reagn and Rush is the opposite of social conformity.