Libertas

The Alamo

In the first week of March 1836, William B. Travis told his troops at the old Misión San Antonio de Valero, known in history as The Alamo, that reinforcements would not be arriving. He then unsheathed his sword and drew a line in the ground, asking those who would remain and fight to cross it. Jim Bowie, bedridden with typhoid, asked that his bed be carried across the line as well. We may soon face our own line in the sand. What will cause us to cross over and say enough is enough? How will we respond?

I’m not telling anyone what to do, because I don’t know, but I have been thinking about my response. I reject violence. Instead, I favor withdrawing consent. For me leaving the country is the strongest way I can do that. Not paying taxes is another way, but how do you not pay taxes? They take it before you even get it. Every time you buy something, you’re paying taxes. Living outside the country is the best way for me to withdraw consent, it’s not the best way for others, but it is how I’m going to do it. It’s also the only way I know how to help my family when needed and remaining free. I won’t live in a police state.

So, how do I know when to leave? I don’t. If everything were ready, I’d leave now. On the other hand, there will never be a perfect time to leave, but there may be a time when it’s too late to leave. I don’t want to wait for that moment. I keep thinking of the Jews in Germany in the 1930s. Some had the good sense to leave early. Others got out just in time; too many stayed.

What will be the trigger, the line in the sand for me?

• Another war or invasion
• Reinstatement of the draft
• Mandatory public service
• Confiscation of guns.
• Censorship of the Internet
• Martial Law

Any of these things are possible now.

A Preemptive Strike

In other words, starting a war, against Iran, Yemen, North Korea or some other country. The Obama administration sent troops to Costa Rica to fight the Drug War. If one of those troops dies in the War on Drugs, did the soldier die for our freedom?

I had been thinking about Costa Rica as a place to get a way, but that’s out. Probably wouldn’t be too welcome there now either. Just where can an American go where there’s no resentment from the government’s foreign policy? Am I a target because America is rich and free (hahaha!) or am I a target because the Feds sent in troops, bombed a village, assassinated a leader, propped up a hated dictator, or ruined the local economy. No it can’t be that. The wise ones in Washington are oh so virtuous and benevolent. Because Americans are kind and good, their government has to be too. Right? So, even though people around the world once admired us because we were rich and free, even Muslims, they now hate us for it. Funny how fickle people are.

Charles B. Rangel

Charles Rangel’s H.R.5741 - Universal National Service Act

“To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.”

Is he nuts!

The Thirteenth Amendment States:

“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

But since when have American politicians cared to follow the Constitution? We already have involuntary servitude because of the income tax. If the first part of the fruit of my labor is confiscated, than the first hours of my labor have been in the service to the government. How is that not serfdom? Well the slaves didn’t complain about it. They just accepted it, and now we have this idiot introducing a more explicit form of serfdom.

I don’t have to worry about serving. I’m over the age limit, but it’s a matter of principle. No free people should accept this. If Americans do, if there is no outcry, no refusal to serve, then America really is lost to a slaves mentality. The slaves will deserve what they accept.

Confiscation of Guns

Why would the government do this? To make us safer or to make it safer for them trample our rights? If this happens, the official police state will have begin. It’s still unofficial. What will happen when the people finally wake up and find out they are not free? What will they do? Will they accept it or rebel?

Internet Censorship

Joseph Liberman

On June 10, 2010, Senators Joe Lieberman (I. CT), Susan Collins (R. ME), and Tom Carper (D. DE) introduced S. 3480: Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010:

“A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 and other laws to enhance the security of the cyber and communications infrastructure of the United States.”

This  ”kill switch” bill will allow the president (on grounds of national security) to shut down the Internet, disconnect networks, and force blogs, web sites, Internet providers, search engines and software companies to “immediately comply with any (Department of Homeland Security) emergency measure or action,” or face fines or forced closers.

No one, not even the president, should have this power. A dictator, a tyrant, has that power. Senator Lieberman however, explained that, ““Right now China, the government, can disconnect parts of its Internet in case of war and we need to have that here too.”  I’m so delighted that an American politician is finally honest enough to say he wants the same powers for the US government as a totalitarian government. Senator Lieberman is the worst of the bunch. He’s statist on economic issues, civil liberties and pro war. No wonder statists on both sides love him.

Martial Law

In January 2010, Obama, signed Executive Order 13528. This order establishes a “Council of Governors,” appointed directly by the president, for the expressed purpose of building a national/domestic police partnership. It gives to the president the power to control the entire federal military, the National Guard, the Reserves, the Coast Guard and all state police organizations in domestic matters. It would give him the power to establish Martial Law over the entire country at any given moment. No one should have this power. This is the power of a dictatorial tyrant. We should trust no one with this power, especially someone who claims it.

Of course, it may be too late to get out if martial law is declared. I hope by then I’ll be out.

Any of these things could happen at any moment. How much time do we have to turn things around? Can we turn things around? What happens if too many Americans submit to tyranny? What are our options? I’m not telling anyone how to respond, but we should at least know what our line in the sand is, resolve to submit no more, hope and work for the best, and plan for the worst.

Recommended:

The Discourse Of Voluntary Servitude by Etienne de La Boétie

How I Found Freedom In An Unfree World by Harry Browne