L. Neil Smith's THE LIBERTARIAN ENTERPRISE Number 277, June 27, 2004 "...the traffic jam at the spaceport..." The Kaptain's Log
Exclusive to TLE It may well be that I have finally said all that I have to say. I hesitate to publish this conclusion lest my legions of critics keep their neighbours awake all night from the sound of their partying. Recently, however, I find that I am repeating myself (or did I mention that already?) and fear that I may become like the Firesign Theatre's fabled ode to government, the Department of Redundancy Dept. So, this week, at least, I shall inspire my loyal readership with the words of other, more articulate observers of the human race. The following are quotations I have gathered from reading both online and off. The great thing about believers in Liberty is that they can speak for themselves: "The guilds of the Northmen were brought about not by coercion but by
an awareness that a freely-given allegiance to a group will give that
group coherence and strength."
"In a republican nation whose citizens are to be led by reason and
persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning becomes of first
importance."
"Persuasion, not coercion!"
"The pride of nationalism... trumpets its country's virtues and
denies its deficiencies... proclaims itself to be, 'the greatest,'
but greatness is not required of a country; only goodness is."
"If the government can take a man's money without his consent, there
is no limit to the additional tyranny that it may practise upon him;
for, with his money, it can hire soldiers to stand over him, keep him
in subjection, plunder him at discretion, and kill him if he resists."
"We [the Beatles] said that... the government doesn't own you."
"Without freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom; and
no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech. Whoever
would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the
freeness of speech."
"...stealing does not only violate religious doctrine; it violates
basic human rights. So does abortion."
""What is morally wrong can never be advantageous, even when it
enables you to make some gain that you believe to be to your
advantage."
" Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it."
"To take action in the face of a corrupt government entails risks of
harm to life and loved ones. To choose to do nothing is to surrender
one's self-image of standing for principles. Most people do not have
the courage to face that choice. Hence, most propaganda is not
designed to fool the critical thinker but only to give moral cowards
an excuse not to think at all."
"In 1960, when I came out of prison, as an ex-convict I had more
freedom under parolee supervision than there's available to an
average citizen in America right now... God almighty, what have we
done to each other?"
"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view,
and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, protect your
life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long
and its purposes in the service of your people. Prepare a noble
death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always
give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people
and grovel to none.
"Peace and Liberty."
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Publication date: August 2001 from Mazel Freedom Press, Inc.; distributed by Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, Inc., PO Box 270143, Hartford, WI 53027. Order Hope from JPFO via this link. (Find more information and endorsements on that page as well!)
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