INTERESTING TIMES

I thought I posted a link to Naomi's article earlier, but couldn't find it, so here it is! This is the same lady from the utube clip (previous to this entry).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-wolf/ten-steps-to-close-down-a_b_46695.html

( here's the full text )

I'm reading a book about the history of naturopathy, and Benedict Lust (1872-1945) is the "father of naturopathy". It turns out he was also a libertarian. He was feisty in court, and especially energetic when hurling epithets at the orthodox "medical trust."
( quotes and notes )

How long has it been since you read it, or had it read to you? It can be inspirational.

Here's a copy: http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html

The last paragraph:

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

There's something very reassuring about reading Chomsky's Hegemony or Survival. My sense of dread over US behavior in the world has escalated over the last few years, and my frustration with people's ignorance has been paired with a feeling that perhaps I am nuts... Perhaps my perception of what is happening is all wrong. But Chomsky tells me that I am not crazy. Chomsky tells me that indeed, fascism IS good for business, and the events of today are founded firmly in long traditions and developing philosophies. His writing is dense and it flows from subject to subject. It requires some intelligence to follow him, and he is sometimes ironic or even sarcastic. But I feel better just knowing that this one foreign affairs buff and brilliant linguist sees the same things happening in the world that I do. I am not alone.

This subject-line quote is from Henry David Thoreau, during the Mexican-American war.

Here's another from Thoreau, this from Civil Disobedience, 1849, which I was required to read in High School:

"Unjust laws exist: shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once? Men generally, under such a government as this, think that they ought to wait until they have persuaded the majority to alter them. They think that, if they should resist, the remedy would be worse than the evil. But it is the fault of the government itself that the remedy is worse than the evil. It makes it worse. Why is it not more apt to anticipate and provide for reform? Why does it not cherish its wise minority? Why does it cry and resist before it is hurt? Why does it not encourage its citizens to be on the alert, to point out its faults, and do better than it would have them? Why does it always crucify Christ, and excommunicate Copernicus and Luther, and pronounce Washington and Franklin rebels?"

Many years before, Augustine said "An unjust law is no law."

How to determine what is just.............