tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3997277018771097849.post5837835846677104642..comments2023-07-05T09:41:55.011-07:00Comments on Robbservations: Obama is NOT James CameronRobbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15326559345621533658noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3997277018771097849.post-33320362760237942752010-05-23T06:00:39.283-07:002010-05-23T06:00:39.283-07:00Correction: The Light Brigade link is this. http:/...Correction: The Light Brigade link is this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXzCOlPHFmc<br /><br /><br />EdAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3997277018771097849.post-37603595702120417652010-05-23T05:55:27.333-07:002010-05-23T05:55:27.333-07:00How do we survive “this guy” and Congress? And al...How do we survive “this guy” and Congress? And also suspect “Tea Party” winners like Rand Paul? <br /><br />The first task is to acknowledge that while Americans are as uneasy as a riled bear whose cave has been invaded by Islamic “militants” (see this humorous story here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bear-kills-two-Hizbul-infiltrators-in-cave/articleshow/5190873.cms) they need ideas that will objectify that uneasiness. In that respect, Paul (our Paul, not Kentucky’s) is right. Work diligently, tirelessly to get the right ideas out there and in the minds of the electorate. Results are not guaranteed. On one hand, you can be rewarded with seeing a light turn on in someone’s face. Then you can feel like joining the Soldiers’ Chorus from Gounod’s “Faust.” On the other, you can experience the blank look of stupidity or the marble-like resentment of someone who has a vested interest in the status quo. I’m sure many Objectivists have experienced both reactions. <br /><br />Take also into account the revolt of many states against ObamaCare. These are not the same as the greatly preferable repeal of this nationalization of a large chunk of the economy. These actions may or may not be successful. They may be as fruitless as The Charge of the Light Brigade. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxzcoiphfmc for a dramatization. The federal government has the guns and the unlimited resources. We might wind up like Erroll Flynn. But I contend that’s a better end than keeping our mouths shut and laying low, hoping the storm will pass over and not bother us. <br /><br />Our spiritual ancestors were defeated on the Lexington Green and at Bunker Hill. But they won the war. We’re faced with a far more deadly and ruthless enemy: Americans who promote, or Americans who will suffer, tyranny. <br /><br />Ed ClineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3997277018771097849.post-24100325168472470142010-05-22T11:57:28.711-07:002010-05-22T11:57:28.711-07:00Robb replies:
Though I can sound pessimistic, whi...Robb replies:<br /><br />Though I can sound pessimistic, which is a motivational form of "There's a giant meteor heading for the Earth! We have to do something!", I have to add, as addendum to Paul's comments, that I agree with everything he says -- the only thing that will save this country is if we can all persuade a significant number of people of the right ideas (especially the Tea Party types: individual rights, constitutional limitations on government power, etc, as described in http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ari_ayn_rand_man_rights or http://www.aynrand.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ari_ayn_rand_the_nature_of_government, which everyone of them should have a copy of) and the need to speak up and act to oppose what's going on. Passivity is our greatest enemy. If not enough people act, and soon, the United States will end up like Russia or Venezuela or Cuba or Uganda. As I said in my last post, google "Chavez Nationalizes" and you find (for a start) our future layed out for us in the absence of action:<br /><br /> Chavez nationalizes French-owned retailer<br /> Chavez seizes U.S. food giant unit<br /> Chavez Nationalizes University<br /> Chavez nationalizes Venezuela's iron-makers<br /> Chavez nationalizes Bauxite producers<br /> Chávez Nationalizes Oil Service Companies<br /> Chavez Nationalizes Bank of Venezuela<br /> Chavez nationalizes two more private banks<br /> Chavez Nationalizes Cement Industry<br /> Chavez may nationalize gold mines<br /> Chavez Nationalizes Last Venezuelan Oil Fields<br /> Chavez seizes Hilton resort<br /> Chavez nationalizes coffee<br /> Chavez nationalizes French Supermarket Chain<br /> Chavez nationalizes ports, airports<br /> Chavez nationalizes steel sector<br /> Chavez nationalizes small shops...<br /><br />I'm not making any of that up. Substitute "Obama" if he gets a second term. And now I'm back to "There's a giant Meteor headed for Earth!"<br />RobbRobbnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3997277018771097849.post-62941048847591640322010-05-22T11:55:54.999-07:002010-05-22T11:55:54.999-07:00Robb asks, "How do we survive this guy?"...Robb asks, "How do we survive this guy?"<br /><br />As football coach Marv Levy once said, "the answer is simple but it's not easy". <br /><br />In this context the answer is: We make our case to the American people that Obama's ideas are bad and that we need better ideas implemented by better men.<br /><br />If reasoned argument persuades a significant number of Americans that limited government and capitalism are good, that defending our country and protecting freedom is good, that our rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are a noble cause, then we will win.<br /><br />In contrast, if Americans think that those things are bad, then we will lose. <br /><br />If Americans truly want their freedom, then no tyrant (domestic or foreign) can enslave us. On the other hand, if Americans wish to enslave themselves, then politicians will follow our desires. The politicians will follow what the American people want. <br /><br />Although specific bad policies promoted by specific politicians are important, they are merely the symptom (not the cause) of our deeper problems. And it is that deeper philosophical cause that must be addressed. In this case, this requires openly, proudly, and unabashedly promoting a philosophy of individual rights, limited government, and the morality of rational self-interest.<br /><br />All countries get the government they deserve. We're merely seeing that more clearly than ever.<br /><br />I know that many people are engaging in the crucial task of attempting to fight this battle of ideas in the public sphere within the context of their limited time and busy lives. To those who do, you have my heartfelt thanks. Those who don't -- what are you waiting for?Paulnoreply@blogger.com