For the most part anyone reading this can agree with me that our government is corrupt and the primary problem when it comes to wars and ordering our military to do "bad" things.
But in order for those things to get done someone has to do them. The politicians certainly aren't going to.
In come the soldiers. They voluntarily sign up to give away their rights as a person to do the biding of the gov't.
Many have honorable intentions. They feel that they can do more good than harm. They truly believe they are fighting for our freedoms. Or whatever their reason.
Some join for the wrong reasons and truly hope to kill people. People who they believe, because they listen to what the media tells them, deserve to die.
Just about all of them recognize that "innocent" people may be killed as well but accept that as a risk they're willing to take.
To be blunt, the caption in the photo of the soldier sums up my feelings almost precisely. I do not feel that simply signing up because you want a better education is bad. I believe that the men and women who do that truly feel they have NO other choice. They think that a "college education" is something they have to have but that's not true (and something worth a blog post of its own). So I'm not as cynical as the person who put together that image. I recognize that every situation is different. My heart goes out to any solider who thinks they have no other option....
This is where my conflict comes in. I want to support our troops, our military, and the individuals who fight. But I can't. At least not all of them. I've seen too many pictures and stories about terrible people taking advantage of the citizens of Afghanistan, Iraq, wherever and it makes me sick.
But I also personally know a number of veterans who did not do those things, who didn't kill anyone or if they did they have deep regret for it. I know their stories and therefore I feel that I can thank them, if they'll even have it for that matter. And at that point I'm more so thanking them for waking up to what truly goes on...
But reasoning such as, "Those of us who served in Vietnam did so because we were told to. We served with dignity and pride, regardless of what the perception of the country. The same is true of Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Please do not confuse the service of the veteran with the role of the politician. We did what we were asked, and we did it without asking for recognition or glory," seems like a cop out to me. Oh I was just doing my job! Well the Nazis were just doing their jobs too right? >.<
I understand that being a soldier is not easy. And it's even harder sometimes when they get out and come back to society. I'm sorry for the things that they go through but in a way I feel like a lot of them chose that fate for themselves. They voluntarily signed up. They know what I know when it comes to veterans, if not more depending on their family and they made a choice. I hope that those who have honorable intentions truly are able to make a difference, but the pessimistic side of me sees that s doubtful.
I saw a meme today that pointed out that 1 in 5 veterans are homeless, something like that anyway, and I truly wish that no person was homeless.
So, to conclude this jibberish rant that I mostly wrote for myself.... the libertarian side of me does not see this country ridding itself of a gov't in my lifetime, and even if we could I do feel that some sort of military structure (whether they were militias, or private contractors idk) would need to remain, especially if other countries still felt it necessary to peopl... BUT I truly wish that people would stop enlisting and those already in would stop taking orders. They still have the ability to make choices. I respect the Oathtakers 100%
I do not believe that my freedoms are protected by the military right now. I believe that if anything the politicians still having control over the soldiers is evidence for the fact that we are all losing our freedoms more and more everyday. Some person fighting overseas, or stationed at a base in Germany or another country we are not involved with is doing nothing to protect my freedoms, and that doesn't change when they become a "veteran."
I am conflicted for a number of other reasons I cannot even begin to articulate...
What I do know is that I'm not free right now. So those fighting "for my freedom" aren't doing a very good job are they? :-\
But in order for those things to get done someone has to do them. The politicians certainly aren't going to.
In come the soldiers. They voluntarily sign up to give away their rights as a person to do the biding of the gov't.
Many have honorable intentions. They feel that they can do more good than harm. They truly believe they are fighting for our freedoms. Or whatever their reason.
Some join for the wrong reasons and truly hope to kill people. People who they believe, because they listen to what the media tells them, deserve to die.
Just about all of them recognize that "innocent" people may be killed as well but accept that as a risk they're willing to take.
This is where my conflict comes in. I want to support our troops, our military, and the individuals who fight. But I can't. At least not all of them. I've seen too many pictures and stories about terrible people taking advantage of the citizens of Afghanistan, Iraq, wherever and it makes me sick.
But I also personally know a number of veterans who did not do those things, who didn't kill anyone or if they did they have deep regret for it. I know their stories and therefore I feel that I can thank them, if they'll even have it for that matter. And at that point I'm more so thanking them for waking up to what truly goes on...
But reasoning such as, "Those of us who served in Vietnam did so because we were told to. We served with dignity and pride, regardless of what the perception of the country. The same is true of Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Please do not confuse the service of the veteran with the role of the politician. We did what we were asked, and we did it without asking for recognition or glory," seems like a cop out to me. Oh I was just doing my job! Well the Nazis were just doing their jobs too right? >.<
I understand that being a soldier is not easy. And it's even harder sometimes when they get out and come back to society. I'm sorry for the things that they go through but in a way I feel like a lot of them chose that fate for themselves. They voluntarily signed up. They know what I know when it comes to veterans, if not more depending on their family and they made a choice. I hope that those who have honorable intentions truly are able to make a difference, but the pessimistic side of me sees that s doubtful.
I saw a meme today that pointed out that 1 in 5 veterans are homeless, something like that anyway, and I truly wish that no person was homeless.
So, to conclude this jibberish rant that I mostly wrote for myself.... the libertarian side of me does not see this country ridding itself of a gov't in my lifetime, and even if we could I do feel that some sort of military structure (whether they were militias, or private contractors idk) would need to remain, especially if other countries still felt it necessary to peopl... BUT I truly wish that people would stop enlisting and those already in would stop taking orders. They still have the ability to make choices. I respect the Oathtakers 100%
I do not believe that my freedoms are protected by the military right now. I believe that if anything the politicians still having control over the soldiers is evidence for the fact that we are all losing our freedoms more and more everyday. Some person fighting overseas, or stationed at a base in Germany or another country we are not involved with is doing nothing to protect my freedoms, and that doesn't change when they become a "veteran."
I am conflicted for a number of other reasons I cannot even begin to articulate... What I do know is that I'm not free right now. So those fighting "for my freedom" aren't doing a very good job are they? :-\
I was born with Microtia which is a congenital ear deformity. I have it on my left side and it is Grade 3 (http://www.microtia.net/overview.htm) I am also deaf on that side.
I remember being teased about it in elementary school a lot. I always wore my hair so that it covered my left ear. It became my trademark to an extent. One girl in particular used it against me so that I'd be her friend, and I didn't want the rest of my classmates to know about my 'little ear.'
When I was 10 I underwent 4 surgeries to reconstruct a new ear, at least on the outside.
But even afterward it was not until my Junior year in Highschool that I would wear my hair up in anyway that exposed that side. To me it still didn't look "normal" enough, but when I was 16 something changed and I stopped caring as much. I started putting it in a messy bun and noticed that hardly anyone stared.
Since then I've been getting my hair cut shorter and shorter but still could not bear to have it so short that I had no option to cover that ear. Until now.
I'm in love with this hair cut and I'm so glad I finally have the confidence to pull it off. :D
I first saw V for Vendetta when I was 14, almost 15 and I was mesmerized. It brought tears to my eyes and a part of my heart went out to the character V, even though the viewer I never saw his face, and only heard his voice. If you've never seen the movie you absolutely must. To be brief, it is about a masked vigilante who wears a mask that is modeled after the historical Guy Fawkes (who I will get to shortly). It is set in the future and in the UK where a totalitarian government has taken over and he is seeking vengeance along with the dismantlement of Parliament as it is known. The site IMDb.com says, "A shadowy freedom fighter known only as "V" uses terrorist tactics to fight against his totalitarian society. Upon rescuing a girl from the secret police, he also finds his best chance at having an ally." It fast became one of my favorite movies, ever. 
I didn't find out until about 2 years ago however, that the mask was a tribute to Guy Fawkes. I encourage everyone to do their own research on him since what there is isn't a whole lot and is easy to go through. "The short answer is this: Guy (alias Guido) Fawkes was one of the members of The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in which a group of Catholics attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill James I, the King of England, to protest Protestant rule. As the man chosen to light the fuse and the first captured, Guy has received the lion's share of attention among the conspirators" (http://www.shadowgalaxy.net/Vendetta/fawkes.html). In Britain on November the 5th (Remember, remember, the 5th of November / The Gunpowder Treason and plot / I see of no reason why Gunpowder Treason / Should ever be forgot.) he is burned in effigy b/c over there he is viwed as a terrorist. But over here in America he's become quite the hero. Anonymous and Occupy have both adopted the masks because Fawkes was trying to take down a totalitarian government much like we are beginning to experience with our own...
SO. What does the mask mean to me? A lot of things. It represents freedom, strength, action, and desire for change; resistance. More recently it's begun to symbolize anarchy or voluntaryism to me. I wear his face proudly :)I see our country headed down a similar path toward something that Fawkes would have fought against, and what V is fighting in this movie (and original comic book). Wearing that masks gives me a sense of strength toward over coming the obstacles that the system in which I live has created.
I do not personally associate myself with Occupy or Anonymous I support them both at times, and other times I just SMH...but I have seen many wonderful "activist" pictures of people wearing this mask and gives me a sense of hope as well. Sure my generation is fully capable of being hooligans and just causing some ruckus, but I think we also share a lot of common ground and sometimes putting that mask on helps to breach that gap...
It is not for everyone, I realize that, but from the very first time I saw one of these masks I've been drawn to them...I hightly doubt that is going to change any time soon <3
Memorial Day…a holiday that I have a hard
time understanding and one that has become incredibly corrupt in this country.
It is supposed to be a day that we remember the soldiers who gave up their lives for us. Instead many of us throw a party for the purpose of BBQing and drinking and virtually forgetting to remember. We go shopping to get the best sales deals, which exist for no other reason than perpetuating our corporate greed.
At the grocery store yesterday it felt like a “mini 4th of July” was coming up and it felt awkward to me. I understand that we do not need to be moppy and sullen on this day but what is buying a cake that says “God Bless America” and some red-white-and-blue cupcakes really going to do? Nothing.
It is supposed to be a day that we remember the soldiers who gave up their lives for us. Instead many of us throw a party for the purpose of BBQing and drinking and virtually forgetting to remember. We go shopping to get the best sales deals, which exist for no other reason than perpetuating our corporate greed.
At the grocery store yesterday it felt like a “mini 4th of July” was coming up and it felt awkward to me. I understand that we do not need to be moppy and sullen on this day but what is buying a cake that says “God Bless America” and some red-white-and-blue cupcakes really going to do? Nothing.
I should probably clarify that I am NOT a
soldier hater by any means. I know many people who are either involved with the
military right now (husbands, fathers, sisters, etc) or have been in the past
(veteran, or military family). ALL of those people are great people who have
gained at least something from the military whether it was more respect, honor,
or even compassion. To them and all of the others like them who have passed on,
I say THANK YOU.
But where I am torn is the heroism that is
granted to ALL American soldiers, and the wars that they have fought and died
in. Our government sent them there to die, essentially, and those soldiers did
go willing but did they go with the full knowledge of what they were doing? We
complain here about terrorism and terrorists in other countries…but to some
extent aren’t we the same? Aren’t the soldiers that go in and end up killing
innocent people (women, children and men) terrorists to some extent? At
least in those people’s eyes? And how can we say that that feeling is wrong?
To all of the soldiers out there who are truly trying to liberate the oppressed, and
who died in the process, I am forever grateful. There are a lot of amazing men
out there doing the same still.
I also find it interesting that we always claim that soldiers die for our freedoms. Maybe at one point they did but nowadays I’m not so sure. Ron Paul said in 2011, “We're under great threat, because we occupy so many countries. We're in 130 countries. We have 900 bases around the world. We're going broke.” I think this is a HUGE point that we Americans need to think about. At what point is our force in other countries too much? Aren’t we affecting those other people’s freedoms? And how does that help keep me more free? I do not think it does. The problems that we are going to face here in our own country, I’d say in the next 5-10 years or so, are going to require many of us to fight for ourselves. Perhaps there will be military on our side but I am not going to count on that…
I also find it interesting that we always claim that soldiers die for our freedoms. Maybe at one point they did but nowadays I’m not so sure. Ron Paul said in 2011, “We're under great threat, because we occupy so many countries. We're in 130 countries. We have 900 bases around the world. We're going broke.” I think this is a HUGE point that we Americans need to think about. At what point is our force in other countries too much? Aren’t we affecting those other people’s freedoms? And how does that help keep me more free? I do not think it does. The problems that we are going to face here in our own country, I’d say in the next 5-10 years or so, are going to require many of us to fight for ourselves. Perhaps there will be military on our side but I am not going to count on that…
I honestly want to say
that every American soldier has died a hero, but I cannot.
I saw this photo on Facebook with the caption, "The boy had, as a matter of routine, lifted up his shirt to reveal that he was not hiding a suicide bomb vest. That was the moment Morlock, according to a pre-arranged plan, threw a grenade at the boy that exploded while other members of the group who called themselves the "kill team" opened fire."
My feeling is that even if the story that it was paired with it is not true, there is NEVER an OK situation for a soldier to take a photo like that...NEVER. Him and his friends are despicable people in my eyes. I also realize that they are likely the minority…but we still grant soldiers a universal respect and I can’t participate in that..
For the rest of today I will try and focus my energy on those particular men and women who did die for just reasons and who died honorably…but I hope that the men and women currently fighting start thinking about why they are.
I know that many of them had no choice…they were down on their luck and the only option left for them was to sign themselves away to our government and that makes me sad…to the men and women in that position who have died, I give them thanks for at least trying.
If I offended anyone with this… I really am sorry. It is just so conflicting for me to support the troops. I cannot in good conscience support ALL of them, or automatically grant someone in uniform a greater respect than I would a good friend of mine…they are not all good people, and do not all die good people…but at the same time, it does take a lot of courage to join, and so I’m left with this dilemma…
For further reading on a different perspective --->
I saw this photo on Facebook with the caption, "The boy had, as a matter of routine, lifted up his shirt to reveal that he was not hiding a suicide bomb vest. That was the moment Morlock, according to a pre-arranged plan, threw a grenade at the boy that exploded while other members of the group who called themselves the "kill team" opened fire."
My feeling is that even if the story that it was paired with it is not true, there is NEVER an OK situation for a soldier to take a photo like that...NEVER. Him and his friends are despicable people in my eyes. I also realize that they are likely the minority…but we still grant soldiers a universal respect and I can’t participate in that..
For the rest of today I will try and focus my energy on those particular men and women who did die for just reasons and who died honorably…but I hope that the men and women currently fighting start thinking about why they are.
I know that many of them had no choice…they were down on their luck and the only option left for them was to sign themselves away to our government and that makes me sad…to the men and women in that position who have died, I give them thanks for at least trying.
If I offended anyone with this… I really am sorry. It is just so conflicting for me to support the troops. I cannot in good conscience support ALL of them, or automatically grant someone in uniform a greater respect than I would a good friend of mine…they are not all good people, and do not all die good people…but at the same time, it does take a lot of courage to join, and so I’m left with this dilemma…
For further reading on a different perspective --->
For those that do not know me I'd like to start off by stating that I do not consider myself to be Liberal or Conservative, or a part of the Left or the Right. I am me. And IF I must put myself in to any category it would be Voluntaryist with maybe a touch of Libertarian left simply because I still have a hard time wrapping my head around some of the Voluntaryist aspects. But that may require a whole nother blog entirely.
In our society when we hear the term "pro-choice" we think of abortion. Someone who is pro-choice believes that women should have the choice to have abortions, and someone who is pro-life doesn't. That's typically how it goes anyway.
I am pro-choice for anything. I believe that I should have the choice to have an abortion, the choice to marry or have a union with whomever I want, the choice to own guns, to do what I want...as long as it doesn't harm anyone.
Now, I realize that this does bring in the issue of whether or not an abortion constitutes as harming someone. But my argument still stands. For the most part the people who are against abortions are looking at it from a religious perspective, whether or not they even realize it. Concern for the soul, spirit, or what have you. But my "religious" beliefs do not lead to me that conclusion. For hundreds of years it was perfectly acceptable to have an abortion, or take herbs to make your body miscarry, as long as it was before Quickening (when you can feel the baby kick). This was the first sign they knew of that there was life. That's usually around 4-5 months and would fall under the 2nd trimester in current times.
Many abortions that take place during the 2nd trimester actually should have taken place during the 1st but because of all the loopholes that have been created it often forces a woman to wait an extra week or two. And 3rd trimester abortions account for only 1/10th of 1% of all that are performed, at least here in America.
You don't have to agree with me on my stance, so feel free to comment your position, but keep it clean and open-minded please. A woman who works at a women's health clinic said to a girl in a class I took, "I am pro-choice because I believe you should have the choice to be pro-life"
I've seen a lot of memes lately on the "hypocrisy of the left" and how they say they're pro-choice but then don't believe in choices on anything else. That is why I've written this up, because I AM pro-choice for everything. I am also working to erase all contradictions in my beliefs which is harder than it sounds. I'm constantly faced with things that make me question where I stand, but at the end of the day I'm at least willing to entertain other ideas. It's frustrating to me when other people can't do the same.
The site voluntarist.com states their purpose as: "Voluntaryists are advocates of non-political, non-violent strategies to achieve a free society. We reject electoral politics, in theory and in practice, as incompatible with libertarian principles. Governments must cloak their actions in an aura of moral legitimacy in order to sustain their power, and political methods invariably strengthen that legitimacy. Voluntaryists seek instead to delegitimize the State through education, and we advocate withdrawal of the cooperation and tacit consent on which State power ultimately depends."
This is what I am working toward. If I want abortion, if a I want a gun, a home, a kid for that matter, I shouldn't have to get the government involved. I should be able to be FREE. Like I said before, I'm still trying to figure out what this looks like exactly. But I felt that the pro-choice contradiction was a good place to start because it's more than just abortion, it's about being able to make our own choices.
In our society when we hear the term "pro-choice" we think of abortion. Someone who is pro-choice believes that women should have the choice to have abortions, and someone who is pro-life doesn't. That's typically how it goes anyway.
I am pro-choice for anything. I believe that I should have the choice to have an abortion, the choice to marry or have a union with whomever I want, the choice to own guns, to do what I want...as long as it doesn't harm anyone.
Now, I realize that this does bring in the issue of whether or not an abortion constitutes as harming someone. But my argument still stands. For the most part the people who are against abortions are looking at it from a religious perspective, whether or not they even realize it. Concern for the soul, spirit, or what have you. But my "religious" beliefs do not lead to me that conclusion. For hundreds of years it was perfectly acceptable to have an abortion, or take herbs to make your body miscarry, as long as it was before Quickening (when you can feel the baby kick). This was the first sign they knew of that there was life. That's usually around 4-5 months and would fall under the 2nd trimester in current times.
Many abortions that take place during the 2nd trimester actually should have taken place during the 1st but because of all the loopholes that have been created it often forces a woman to wait an extra week or two. And 3rd trimester abortions account for only 1/10th of 1% of all that are performed, at least here in America.
You don't have to agree with me on my stance, so feel free to comment your position, but keep it clean and open-minded please. A woman who works at a women's health clinic said to a girl in a class I took, "I am pro-choice because I believe you should have the choice to be pro-life"
I've seen a lot of memes lately on the "hypocrisy of the left" and how they say they're pro-choice but then don't believe in choices on anything else. That is why I've written this up, because I AM pro-choice for everything. I am also working to erase all contradictions in my beliefs which is harder than it sounds. I'm constantly faced with things that make me question where I stand, but at the end of the day I'm at least willing to entertain other ideas. It's frustrating to me when other people can't do the same.
The site voluntarist.com states their purpose as: "Voluntaryists are advocates of non-political, non-violent strategies to achieve a free society. We reject electoral politics, in theory and in practice, as incompatible with libertarian principles. Governments must cloak their actions in an aura of moral legitimacy in order to sustain their power, and political methods invariably strengthen that legitimacy. Voluntaryists seek instead to delegitimize the State through education, and we advocate withdrawal of the cooperation and tacit consent on which State power ultimately depends."
This is what I am working toward. If I want abortion, if a I want a gun, a home, a kid for that matter, I shouldn't have to get the government involved. I should be able to be FREE. Like I said before, I'm still trying to figure out what this looks like exactly. But I felt that the pro-choice contradiction was a good place to start because it's more than just abortion, it's about being able to make our own choices.
Today I went to my first "town-hall meeting," "open-discussion," whatever you want to call it. I originally wanted to go talk to "my" house representative, Jonathan Singer, because he was having one this evening. I sent out a message on FB to all the people I knew who live in the same town as me asking that they go. I received a message back from my best friend's dad, Jeff, saying that there was another meeting going on the same night, tonight, but with two Senators who hadn't voted on the bills yet so our energy may be better spent there. One of them, Matt Jones (whose home phone number is 303) 666-7032 if anyone wants it...)) My boyfriend and I decided that made sense, and sent my dad a text to let him know as well, in case he could make it.
The bills are:
Here is what I read from:
"Regarding house bills 1224, 1226, 1228, and 1229. The American people are watching these bills closer than many other bills in the past. There are many reasons for this but most important of these is that, it forcibly shows the American people what their politicians actually believe in. Anytime a politician is faced with legislation designed to limit or reduce and individual rights in any way, it is that their responsibility to make sure that bill does not pass. Otherwise we would be a collectivist country, and we are not. We are a country built for individual freedom, and any time a politician votes to take even a sliver of that from us, it shows they do not believe in our agenda. A BEAUTIFUL agenda of freedom and individual liberty. These bills restrict our inalienable rights to defend ourselves and that in its own is a crime. So to our senators voting on these bills we are watching you, we will know who has betrayed their oath to uphold our constitution. We will know who no longer legitimately represents the people of this country. This will not go unnoticed, nor will we forget who these individual representatives and senators are until we see them lose their positions in OUR government."
I plan to post the video ASAP.
The bills are:
House Bill 1224 – Bans magazines with a capacity greater than 15 rounds. (Passed by a 34-31 vote in the House.)
House Bill 1226 – Repeals current law allowing individuals with a concealed carry permit to carry a firearm for self-defense on a college or university campus. (Passed by a 34-31 vote in the House.)
House Bill 1228 – Imposes a “gun tax” for a background check when purchasing a firearm. (Passed by a 33-32 vote in the House.)
House Bill 1229 – Criminalizes the private transfer of a firearm. (Passed by a 36-29 vote in the House.)
So, my dad let me know that he was going and we met him there. My boyfriend and I got there a little bit late but it didn't matter because the room was full and the senators claimed that the agenda had been changed from, or had never been to, address the gun bills. So about 40 or so of us hung around outside in the hopes that this would change, or to at least be able to ambush them on their way out. At one point some intern, or would-be politician said he'd come out and talk to us about the situation, and he did and my boyfriend pinned the camcorder on him and he immediately cowered away and said, "I-I don't wanna be on camera" pretty sure he even pulled the side of his shirt up to hide his face. I'll have to review the tape on that, ha.
So we waited around, making half-jokes about the system, and then at about 7:15 we were told that the Senator (turned out to be Matt Jones) had agreed to extend the session to talk about the bills. We all filed in at 7:30 once the education people left (which was only about 12 people) and filled in the room. Matt Jones and Representative Mike Foote were there. Foote is one of the sponsors of the 4 bills and complete pond scum.
So people asked him what his stance was and Jones refused to answer saying this was about hearing us out. Of course. Jeff tried to get him to admit that guns are for us citizens to protect ourselves against a tyrannical government and it was just not happening. Great for camera though.
A 40 year old woman stood up and talked about how she's a student at CU and how she had to go to night classes and sometimes her exams do not get out until 11:30 and how she is scared to walk that dark campus at night, and so she has her CCW. 1226 directly affects her and she is not ok with that.
Finally, after some encouragement from Jeff, and a complete stranger, I had the balls to just stand up and start reading the speech my boyfriend had written up before hand.
Finally, after some encouragement from Jeff, and a complete stranger, I had the balls to just stand up and start reading the speech my boyfriend had written up before hand.
This has to be one of the most intense things I have done in my life so far. I am so proud of myself right now, and I honestly don't want to come across as patting my ego, but it's true. I am shy, I am reserved, I rarely take initiative and am happy to be back-up support. But actually taking life by the balls is an entirely new thing for me. And I love it! So one person finished talking and I just stood up and started talking, loudly. Jones had seen me stand and still tried to point to someone else, but I prevailed.
Here is what I read from:
"Regarding house bills 1224, 1226, 1228, and 1229. The American people are watching these bills closer than many other bills in the past. There are many reasons for this but most important of these is that, it forcibly shows the American people what their politicians actually believe in. Anytime a politician is faced with legislation designed to limit or reduce and individual rights in any way, it is that their responsibility to make sure that bill does not pass. Otherwise we would be a collectivist country, and we are not. We are a country built for individual freedom, and any time a politician votes to take even a sliver of that from us, it shows they do not believe in our agenda. A BEAUTIFUL agenda of freedom and individual liberty. These bills restrict our inalienable rights to defend ourselves and that in its own is a crime. So to our senators voting on these bills we are watching you, we will know who has betrayed their oath to uphold our constitution. We will know who no longer legitimately represents the people of this country. This will not go unnoticed, nor will we forget who these individual representatives and senators are until we see them lose their positions in OUR government."
I was shaking...bad. I could feel myself choking up but I pushed through it and I looked them right in the eyes as much as I could to let them know that I meant them. I could literally feel the warmth and support from the rest of the people in the room. I sat down and there was so much clapping. The man in front of me turned around and shook my hand. So did Jeff, and the other man who encouraged me to stand. And a woman from the back row tapped me on the shoulder and shook my hand thanking me. I'm surprised I didn't cry! The woman who was sitting next to me is going to the Capitol on Monday because the Senate votes on these that day and she mentioned that that speech would be perfect to read there, and so I gave it to her since we had a copy on a computer. She was so thankful and shocked. I'm so glad I could help her too.
Folks, anyone reading this, I felt so much care, concern, so much family while I was there. That is why I'm so glad I went. It was horrible to witness our supposed "representatives" act the way they did but I know in my heart that everything I'm fighting for IS worth fighting for. I wish I could somehow make more people go to a meeting like this. What an experience....
We ended at 8:30 which was 30 minutes past the Library's hours and when we were leaving a few more people came up to me and said thank you. I tried to squeeze in that my boyfriend wrote most of it, but I couldn't with everyone. He didn't care. He was just so glad I was able to read it at all, especially since the camcorder died right after, ha. We agreed that it would have more of an impact if I did since I'm a petite 21 year old female. Not many females my age are speaking out, but our voice does need to be heard, and I'm thankful I was able to make that happen. I'm also so glad that a gentleman was there who was at Columbine and saw his friends shot. I'm not glad he had to deal with that but that his voice was heard too...It was so heart wrenching. He was in the front row and looked Jones right in the eyes and told his story...how the bills being passed would not have stopped both of those boys.
I know in my gut that what I was apart of today will not change Jones' mind, or even Foote's. I have a horrid feeling that on Monday the bills will pass the Senate. We will see....
We ended at 8:30 which was 30 minutes past the Library's hours and when we were leaving a few more people came up to me and said thank you. I tried to squeeze in that my boyfriend wrote most of it, but I couldn't with everyone. He didn't care. He was just so glad I was able to read it at all, especially since the camcorder died right after, ha. We agreed that it would have more of an impact if I did since I'm a petite 21 year old female. Not many females my age are speaking out, but our voice does need to be heard, and I'm thankful I was able to make that happen. I'm also so glad that a gentleman was there who was at Columbine and saw his friends shot. I'm not glad he had to deal with that but that his voice was heard too...It was so heart wrenching. He was in the front row and looked Jones right in the eyes and told his story...how the bills being passed would not have stopped both of those boys.
I know in my gut that what I was apart of today will not change Jones' mind, or even Foote's. I have a horrid feeling that on Monday the bills will pass the Senate. We will see....
At least I can say I tried. I have fought with tears, and thankfully no blood, yet. I've told all of these awful people that regardless of the law I refuse to be a victim. I do not care if it is illegal for me to concealed carry on a college campus. I will anyway. Why? Because it is my god given right to. I will not pull it out unless I absolutely need to use it, and even then pulling the trigger is not my immediate goal. I know that often the presence of a gun is enough to completely end the confrontation. I will not allow my self, body and soul to be legislated out of defending it. No way. I will not let myself be raped and know that if I had had a gun on me I could have stopped it, or stopped any future rape. Because god help any man who tries it. If I am taken completely off guard he's not getting away without some hole in HIS body, fatal or otherwise. I am still a law-abiding citizen. I follow natural law.
I plan to post the video ASAP.
Today is the last day of the first weekend in January of 2013 and I have not written a blog in incredibly too long.
The biggest news, fortunately, in my life right now is that all of my music was deleted off of my iPod and I have been, for the last couple of days, trying to recover as much as I can through CDs and purchases on iTunes. I am treating it like a much needed "music cleanse." There was a lot of music on there that I really did not need either because it bore me or brought back unpleasant or unnecessary memories or feelings. Way to start the new year off right, right?!
I have many resolutions like I have in the past...I never really follow through and it leaves me feeling guilty or like I somehow messed up or missed out... So, this year I decided that I would focus on one main goal.., and that is to fight an Info war. I am taking inspiration from Alex Jones (http://www.infowars.com/ if you are interested in checking him out) because he is a hardcore fighter. I love his energy, most of the time, and it has inspired me to be sterner and stand up for what I believe in, no matter what it is.
I have realized that most of the people I know who are willing to fight this "war" are male and so I have made it apart of my goal to recruit or at least reach out to more females. I feel that any sort of war or movement needs a balance of female and male power in order to be the most effective.
So far I am working on creating a FB page where I can repost, or post things that I find and I may have a connection that can help me go "viral" I really don't even care about how viral I go but I want to make a difference in the world even if that means I reach a few people and make them think a little more critically than they are used to.
It's been very frustrating though, but not disheartening at least, when I encounter people who say "I just can't believe..." or "I don't feel it's appropriate to discuss this...." or simply insinuate that I'm wrong because of my resources? If I don't believe in main stream media then my sources are just as legitimate...
I don't know...perhaps I am crazy and losing my mind, but "conspiracy theorists" are a-plenty out there if I am fast becoming one of them then so be it. Like I've said before, "I'd rather be a little paranoid than a lot naive" And believe that a lot of people I know are quite naive...
Another one of my goals in the new year is to try and be as honest as I can be, while at the same time try and meet people and make new connections. It's seriously easier said than done. I do not like meeting new people, I do not like going outside of my comfort zone...but I'm going to be trying uber hard.
I realize that this started out as a sort of "book blog" and I may continue that. I've recently read a great book called We by Yevgeny Zamyatin which inspired 1984 and Brave New World which I am now reading and rereading. I'll be sure to put a comparative blog once I've read all 3.
Other than all this 2013 will certainly be an interesting year to play out, I honestly think it will be more adventurous than 2012 was...
The biggest news, fortunately, in my life right now is that all of my music was deleted off of my iPod and I have been, for the last couple of days, trying to recover as much as I can through CDs and purchases on iTunes. I am treating it like a much needed "music cleanse." There was a lot of music on there that I really did not need either because it bore me or brought back unpleasant or unnecessary memories or feelings. Way to start the new year off right, right?!
I have many resolutions like I have in the past...I never really follow through and it leaves me feeling guilty or like I somehow messed up or missed out... So, this year I decided that I would focus on one main goal.., and that is to fight an Info war. I am taking inspiration from Alex Jones (http://www.infowars.com/ if you are interested in checking him out) because he is a hardcore fighter. I love his energy, most of the time, and it has inspired me to be sterner and stand up for what I believe in, no matter what it is.
I have realized that most of the people I know who are willing to fight this "war" are male and so I have made it apart of my goal to recruit or at least reach out to more females. I feel that any sort of war or movement needs a balance of female and male power in order to be the most effective.
So far I am working on creating a FB page where I can repost, or post things that I find and I may have a connection that can help me go "viral" I really don't even care about how viral I go but I want to make a difference in the world even if that means I reach a few people and make them think a little more critically than they are used to.
It's been very frustrating though, but not disheartening at least, when I encounter people who say "I just can't believe..." or "I don't feel it's appropriate to discuss this...." or simply insinuate that I'm wrong because of my resources? If I don't believe in main stream media then my sources are just as legitimate...
I don't know...perhaps I am crazy and losing my mind, but "conspiracy theorists" are a-plenty out there if I am fast becoming one of them then so be it. Like I've said before, "I'd rather be a little paranoid than a lot naive" And believe that a lot of people I know are quite naive...
Another one of my goals in the new year is to try and be as honest as I can be, while at the same time try and meet people and make new connections. It's seriously easier said than done. I do not like meeting new people, I do not like going outside of my comfort zone...but I'm going to be trying uber hard.
I realize that this started out as a sort of "book blog" and I may continue that. I've recently read a great book called We by Yevgeny Zamyatin which inspired 1984 and Brave New World which I am now reading and rereading. I'll be sure to put a comparative blog once I've read all 3.
Other than all this 2013 will certainly be an interesting year to play out, I honestly think it will be more adventurous than 2012 was...