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How far is "too far" in your book? How will you and your family respond if civil liberties are severely restricted?
I think back to all I've read about the German people in the early 1930s. People tend to be judgmental about them (including the Jewish German citizens who stayed...and stayed...) and say that their silence implies consent, that they willingly went along with much of the Nazi agenda, that they should have done more, they should have seen the very clear signs of a coming dictatorship, that they sold out, etc etc.
Will people be saying the same thing about us fifty years from now?
What's that quote by Martin Niemoller? Oh yes, here it is:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
What's that quote by Martin Niemoller? Oh yes, here it is:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
^^ Rather ironic in light of how people in these forums talk about socialists and trade unionists.
Believe it or not, people in the U.S. have rights that those in Nazi Germany didn't. Namely, the right to vote for candidates of different parties. There's no sign of the two-party system disappearing anytime soon (unless it morphs into a three- or four-party system), so before you build your underground bunker and trade all your gold for ammo, why not attempt to resolve your concerns through political means?
What's that quote by Martin Niemoller? Oh yes, here it is:
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me--and there was no one left to speak for me.
Aren't you the same person who wants to restrict marijuana because of an isolated event with your brother? How convenient of you to jump on the liberty bandwagon.
Many Germans supported going after the Socialists, union members, jews, etc... Why would the speak out??
Of course they did. Many didn't though - but just hoped things would "blow over" and as long as they prospered, they would look the other way.
That's the attitude I'm talking about. Not all of the German people supported Hitler. But this thread isn't really about Hitler - it's about the attitude of looking the other way, not speaking out, trying to avoid "trouble" or "drama" at the expense of others...till suddenly one realizes...hey, I'm in a tight spot myself!
Of course they did. Many didn't though - but just hoped things would "blow over" and as long as they prospered, they would look the other way.
That's the attitude I'm talking about. Not all of the German people supported Hitler. But this thread isn't really about Hitler - it's about the attitude of looking the other way, not speaking out, trying to avoid "trouble" or "drama" at the expense of others...till suddenly one realizes...hey, I'm in a tight spot myself!
Every dictator/dictatorship has support from everyday people. Doesn't matter if it's Nazi Germany, Pinochet's Chile, Bautistas or Castro's Cuba, Mao's China, or Franco's Spain, many of it's citizens feel the ends justify the means. Dicators don't operate in a vacuum where everyone is a puppet.
^^ Rather ironic in light of how people in these forums talk about socialists and trade unionists.
Believe it or not, people in the U.S. have rights that those in Nazi Germany didn't. Namely, the right to vote for candidates of different parties. There's no sign of the two-party system disappearing anytime soon (unless it morphs into a three- or four-party system), so before you build your underground bunker and trade all your gold for ammo, why not attempt to resolve your concerns through political means?
My question is for EVERYONE - including you. Your answer is to attempt to resolve concerns through political means, then, right? OK. Mine is too, at this stage of the game. I'm not building any bunker anywhere or trading gold for ammo. I'm asking - what's your plan? And how strong is your resolve to stick to it if your civil liberties are impeded to a point that you find immoral or unconstitutional or simply unacceptable? Are you an armchair warrior or would you take action that might endanger your livelihood, your comfort, your reputation?
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