After reading the article “Why America Protects Flag Burning” I immediately wrote two comments about my thoughts on the matter. I didn’t even give it much thought, the words just spilled out. I look back at the first one, and after much thought on the matter, I wonder where that really came from.
Why would I take flag burning as an assault on what that flag represents to me? Why should I care if a person wants to express themselves in such a way, that really is causing no harm to me or anyone else? And besides that, what does the flag really mean to me?
I came to the realization that a lot of what I wrote is what I thought I believed. I guess my respect for the flag is a respect that has been handed down and procured from others.
What the flag actually represents to me is a respect for family and friends who have served in the military, those who have died serving (see my exclusions in “why america protects flag burning” comments) our country and the world, and a respect for the actual country itself (not the government) and thats about it.
So, where am I going with this?
These thoughts bring me back to my post on Libertarianism and individual rights, my post on labels like “The Axis of Evil” - that the US political figures make statements like this and act as though the entire population of our country supports them.
As I continued reading about some of these things I stumbled upon anarchy, and I think there is some merit within – when practiced in a peaceful way. Would any reader of the skunk disagree with this quote on the ideals of anarchism? “[A]n anti-authoritarian society that is based on voluntary association of free individuals in autonomous communities, operating on principles of mutual aid and self-governance”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchy
I know that it sounds really good on paper, and I know that there would most likely be problems within the application – at least by most present day Americans, but what would our world be like today if we were living this way?
P.S. I consider myself a Libertarian in case any of you are wondering.
William
10 responses so far ↓
1 discob4thebreakdown // Dec 11, 2006 at 1:14 pm
I brought up this topic when we discussed the whole Libertarian thing. I believe Anarchy is a valid political system and its only downfall is the fact that Humans are in the equation. It would be wonderful to live in a truly free society and have everyone working for the good of the community. However, greed and the desire for power by humans destroys this ideal. Humans are why Anarchy will never work. Humans are why Communism will never work. Humans are why Capitalism doesn’t work to its full potential. There are small groups of people that do operate on this level. For instance, I was in a coffee shop in Downtown Omaha recently and I discovered the greatest thing ever. It is a underground book exchange. Basically, people donate books, indicate that they are part of this program, and leave them throughout the city; at coffee shops, music venues, bars, and art galleries. If you want the book, you just take, read it, and leave it at another place for someone else to find and read. This idea just blew me away based on the sheer simplicity and overall awesomeness of it. I donated three books myself and I hope to pick up some more books this weekend. It is things like this that make me believe in the human spirit sometimes.
2 m // Dec 11, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Human beings are part of any equation that concerns human organization. This does not render anarchism unviable. In fact, anarchism exists all over the place, even in spite of predatory capitalism. That is a testament to the nature of anarchy.
Disco already pointed out one great example of anarchism in action; there are endless other examples, some well known and recognized as anarchistic, others that pass by unnoticed or undefined as anarchism. Sesquipedalian mentioned Critical Mass in an earlier posting. Critical Mass is not, as was stated, an organization but an event. Any and all are welcome to help make it happen. It is not characterized by hierarchical structures or relationships, there is no membership, nothing is set in stone. Critical Mass is simply human individuals coming together and cooperating in an uncoerced manner to ride bikes. People participate for a number of reasons, some of which include: to challenge the current perception of ‘transportation’; to encourage others to ride bicycles or other means of transportation in an effort to reduce the use of automobiles and petroleum; to encourage less consumption; to encourage and participate in something that is active, as opposed to passive (such as looking though a windshield—yet another screen); to participate in an activity that is an immediate alternative to systems currently in place; to enjoy moments of political action; to enjoy a good bike ride with friends; to enjoy healthy exercise while participating in creating and enhancing community; to help the bicycling community be more recognized by, and therefore more safe from, automobiles and their drivers; and a whole bunch of other reasons.
Like Critical Mass, Food Not Bombs is a fairly well recognized and often anarchistic labeled element of community and political action. Food Not Bombs operates differently wherever it is envisioned and created. The basic idea is to obtain food that would otherwise go to waste, through grocery store donations of food that has gone beyond its ideal ‘shelf-life’, retrieving food from garbage, and other sources. There are countless reasons that folks start up Food Not Bombs (or whatever someone may choose to call it). Some groups of people are interested in making sure they feed themselves. Some people want to utilize the food to help meet a need in the community, by serving food to houseless and low income folks, for example. Other people want to serve or provide the food to anyone who wants to eat it. Some people want to serve food at activist and political events. Some folks are most concerned with eliminating the waste that grocery stores, bakeries, and restaurants produce. The possibilities are only limited by the desires and imagination of the people involved; most often, it seems to be a large mixture of various different elements and interpretations of Food Not Bombs. Again, as with Critical Mass, Food Not Bombs purposefully challenges hierarchy and actively creates a meaningful alternative in the present to systems that are oppressive because of their hierarchical structure and relationships.
Importantly, anarchism exists in many other places and in many other forms. Who among us cannot recall instances when ourselves and others have done something independent of any authority telling us that it must be done? When we decide to do something ourselves, without coercion, we are enacting anarchism. Everywhere there are communities, groups of friends, and individuals pursuing, creating, and living anarchy. I guess I don’t understand why I often hear that anarchy is impossible. It happens right before our eyes. People participate in it, our actions realize it.
I am interested in discussing all of this and related ideas with anyone using this forum. I realize this comment is getting long, and I have hardly addressed many of the aspects of the post and previous comment. I wanted to not just mention the more known things like Critical Mass and Food Not Bombs but also the daily acts of transformation that people are constantly creating. Anarchism depends on you. It depends on me. It depends on the self. And that is the beautiful thing—if you want to see anarchism in action, all you have to do is make it happen yourself.
3 m // Dec 11, 2006 at 6:31 pm
One other thing….William, I really appreciate your honesty in writing about your own feelings and perceptions. I know in my own life, the times when I have been able to be truly honest with myself have resulted in many feelings: fear, excitement, anger, and joy. And it always seems to be wholly generative. I emerge with more questions and more curiosity, as well as a better understanding of myself and, often, my culture. Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that, through your comments, it is apparent that you try to learn about and think about other perspectives and that you are willing for this whole process to change you and/or make you more aware of yourself. And, personally, those are things that I admire.
4 oddnoteccentric // Dec 12, 2006 at 12:44 am
The freedom to do generally whatever you want is one that is embraced not only by the principle of capitalism but also by Libertarianism. However, Libertarians do support law. We intend to be ruled by law, just not so much law as to hinder us from ‘Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness’.
The original purpose of the US government was to recognize the rights of the individual. That is what the Bill of Rights does. Since then, things have gotten cloudy, but the original purpose is still recognized in the first ten amendments to the US Constitution. The Bill of Rights is the basis of Libertarianism, in case you didn’t know.
By the way, Bill of Rights day is coming soon (December 15). What are you going to do???
5 william // Dec 12, 2006 at 9:35 am
I don’t know if this comment is for me “The Bill of Rights is the basis of Libertarianism, in case you didn’t know”.
I’m interested to know if it was, and I assume if it was, it is probably because of the title of this post or my statement (not the government).
So, if it was, I have to say it never had crossed my mind that The Bill of Rights wasn’t essential to Libertariansim. I guess with all of the definitions and proclamations I have read that seemed pretty apparent. Also, I should clarify that what I meant by (not the governement) is many of the people currently making choices supposedly on our behalf.
I simply made a comment about anarchism. Based on the definition,it sounds like a pretty good system. That is all, I’m not claiming to be an anarchist, I wasn’t trying to convert or conform anyone.
Perhaps you construed my title to be a statement directed at the US. If that is the case, I can tell you that wasn’t my intent - it was simply a lead in for anarchism.
Quite honestly, it occured to me I probably shouldn’t even have labeled myself as a Libertarian, it has become obvious to me that I don’t know enough about them and as a result I’m probably offending those that are truely libertarian with my statements. It’s just that with the information I have read, I tend to agree more with what they represent than any other group.
So, for now I withdraw my statement of considering myself a Libertarian. I’m back to where I was for the past 5 years, not affiliating with any group. I will continue to vote for the best of the worst, try to make change where I can, and as I have said before there is no other country I would rather be a citizen.
William
6 oddnoteccentric // Dec 12, 2006 at 9:49 pm
Are you “cutting and running?”
Don’t be so sure you aren’t Libertarian. Seems to me that it’s more of a state of mind than an admission of subscription or conforming to someone else’s norm.
I think the basis of both popular political parties was at one time the Bill of Rights, but they both seem to pick and choose these days. I suppose that is an indication that we are ready for some house cleaning (pun intended).
7 oddnoteccentric // Dec 12, 2006 at 9:51 pm
BTW I wasn’t directing my previous comment at you, william, just the reader, whomever that may be. The last two are, however, to you. I just wanted to be funny, but my humor is somehow lost when I laugh out loud and type silently (like you’d know if I wasn’t typing silently). HAHA
8 william // Dec 13, 2006 at 10:33 am
Yeah, I kind of thought you were letting me have it this time. I was waiting for a suggestion to prepare myself a meal of plumbum sauteed in cuprum or something to that affect!
I’m constantly laughing at most of the interaction on here, sooner or later I’m bound to step on someones toes.
“Where the facts are few, experts are many”
-and so it goes with my posts and comments.
9 william // Dec 13, 2006 at 10:46 am
M,
I forgot to mention, thank you for your comments in comment #3.
I appreciate them very much.
10 warriorzerosix // Dec 15, 2006 at 12:20 pm
An answer to why there can never be a truly free society: free will does not exist. Make free will walk and I’ll buy you an ice cream. People in our American society all generally desire the same thing, to be the best at what they do – to live the American Dream to its fullest. And whether its being the ruler of the most powerful nation on Earth, or stealing as much capital as humanly possible from their fellow American, people simply want. Therefore, depending on whatever force drives people, they are placed on a pre-determined path toward greatness or nothingness. They disillusion themselves into believing they’re making the choices that will affect the outcome of their lives, but sadly they’re just marching along to the beat of destiny’s drum. The people who sit at the top of their respective heaps are nothing more than examples of luck in not only making the socially accepted (or deviant) choices, and the will of society. If people had real control over their lives, anybody could truly be whatever they wanted or do whatever they wanted. However, it is not only the duty but the responsibility of the people to keep each other in check. And it is the will of the American people to set forth laws and norms to keep ourselves restrained. Furthermore, the idea of a truly free society is not only socially irresponsible but frightening to beings that belong to the capitalist regime of the United States of America. I’m not current on the Why are Native Americans So Special? rants, but if you want my take on that one, (since it fits in nicely right here) here it is: Native Americans are special because from the advent of the United States, because when our European ancestors first laid eyes on them, they were frightened, not by their seemingly savage behavior, but by what a far closer representation of what a “free society” really looks like.
Buy the ticket, take the ride. You know where it goes; because you’ve seen others go before. The only difference this time is that it’s you this time, and in this time. You think you control the ride, but don’t be surprised because the ride was built before you were born, or even purchased the ticket.
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