I Pledge Allegiance to Me

Today is Flag Day in the US. Time to retrieve Old Glory from the musty wasteland of your garage or attic. Time to engage in self-conscious and self-congratulatory public displays of nationalism.

I reserve the word "patriotism" for much more solemn occasions, dear Reader. Patriotism is a quality that requires the capacity for self-reflection. By and large, the citizenry of the US doesn't meet that criterion.

Speaking of false patriotism, the Supreme Court ruled today that the controversial words "under God" (sic) may remain in our national Pledge of Allegiance. Or did they?

As an atheist, I find these two words antagonistic. I am certainly not placated by claims that the phrase is meant as mere "ceremonial deism." On the contrary, I find that argument disingenuous, epecially in view of the fact that "under God" was added to the Pledge during the Cold War as a means to "link national unity with opposition to godless communism." I am not a communist, but neither am I a deist or theist. The Pledge as it stands is clearly meant to marginalize, if not exclude outright, my beliefs and (ultimately) my rights as a US citizen.

I'm not exaggerating. The goals of the neo-fascist Christian Reconstructionist movement are well documented. I believe we rational, freedom-loving people ignore these religious extremists at our peril. (See George Bush and the Rise of Christian Fascism. Also, recall the infamous remark by Bush the Elder.).

Regardless, to my freethinking sensiblities a bigger affront to Liberty is that we have a national Pledge of Allegiance at all. Think about it: The Pledge is typically recited pro forma by adults or on command by children. But what value is a coerced oath of loyalty? What purpose do these words serve if they are not spoken spontaneously and voluntarily?

Consider those questions rhetorical.

Posted at 12:53 PM | View all replies (2)

An Open Letter to Congressman Tom DeLay

Dear Tom,

I got your letter -- the one on behalf of The Tax Foundation. Yes, I agree that America's tax code is too complex and costly. Kudos on making a direct appeal to my libertarian sensibilities.

However, I won't be making any contribution to your organization for the simple fact that you are part of it. You are a nutball and a scumbag. To paraphrase a great American, I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like you as members.

That The Tax Foundation appears to be a bunch of apologists for BushCo's brazen fiscal malfeasancetax cut is also uninviting, but make no mistake: you bring the fleas to this dog.

There are plenty of other worthy organizations that are working to get out the libertarian message. Thanks for reminding me that they need and deserve my financial support.

Sincerely,
A Principled Citizen

P.S. Reminding me that you are a "native Texan" was probably a bad idea.

Posted at 10:32 PM

An Open Letter to Bushco

Today I pledge to no longer simmer in resentment of your tyranny. I will not stand by as your ideology feeds hatred and excuses murder. I rededicate myself in the eternal struggle against the State, its destructive power, its mortal threat. I demand retribution for the litany of High Crimes committed against the People during your illegitimate reign. And I recommit myself to the plain meaning of the words liberty, equality and democracy.

This I do solemnly swear.

34 scandals from the first four years of George W. Bush's presidency
Torture at Abu Ghraib
The Rise of Pseudo Fascism
The Reality of Red-State Fascism
The Rise of the Religious Right in the Republican Party
Bush was AWOL
"Don’t take on the Bushes"

Posted at 11:55 PM | View all replies (5)

Smash the Surveillance State

I just sent my senators this 11th-hour plea against the Real ID Act, a nightmarish piece of legislation aimed at obliterating privacy and enabling the national surveillance state. Of course, its tacked on to a "can't fail" defense spending bill for the glorious war against Eastasia Iraq.

I am writing to you to voice my strong opposition to the Real ID Act. A national ID card is in direct opposition to the plain meaning of freedom. The Real ID Act will not stop terrorists and other criminals, who will learn quickly to game the system. Rather, this Act will have severe negative effects on the practice of liberty in America by law-abiding citizens: it will have a chilling effect on our right to free movement and assembly; it will inevitably be subject to "mission creep"; and it will be an irresistible tool of political oppression.

Please vote NO on the Real ID Act.

You have until Tuesday, May 10th, to fax or call your senators. Do it now!

Posted at 11:17 PM | View all replies (5)

Happy Birthday, You Bastard

I love my country, but I hate my government.

Scratch that. I love the theory of my country, but hate the practice of it.

America is a myth. Land of the free, home of the brave and all that. It's a story we tell ourselves to remain sane.

Today we indulge in an orgy of self-congratulation. I woke up to find a small flag planted in my lawn, compliments of some über-patriotic realtor who I'm sure had absolutely no ulterior motive. I will watch these "sacred" symbols slowly disintegrate over the next month as they are drenched by lawn sprinklers and neighborhood dogs.

No matter. It's time to pay fealty to the military go watch the fireworks. Stand proud for the national anthem, that tired old war hymn. Watch the pretty lights, but never ever let yourself remember that it's all an homage to war. United we stand! Ready to export a simulacrum of democracy to reluctant nations across the globe. We're coming for you, with the rule of law and the checks and balances and the freedom thing. We'll even throw in a serving of sovereignty at no extra cost!

It's bizarre to realize that in a country founded by men who feared (rightly) standing armies, militarism has become something of a national religion. But we live in Bizarro World now, where it's the soldier that has given us our rights. Nevermind all those popular revolutions by ordinary citizens against corrupt and tyrannical governments and their empowering armies. This is America, where bad stuff never happens. The bad stuff happens over there, where the bad people live. Don't think, just Support the Troops.

After all, your president would never lie to you.

Posted at 10:50 PM | View all replies (1)

Your Future

In the future, everyone will be beaten by the police for fifteen minutes.

Every choice is a choice between authority and liberty. All authority is arbitrary.

Freedom is responsibility. Responsibility is frightening. You are a scared little rabbit.

The only thing we have to fear is the rapacious soul-eating Leviathan itself. Feed it. Love it.

In the future, you will still be in prison.

Posted at 10:45 PM

Support the Troops

...because slapping a ribbon sticker on your suburban troop transport is a lot easier than growing a conscience.

Iraq: The unseen war (via Salon)

Posted at 11:19 PM

The Cold 2000

U.S. Death Toll in Iraq Reaches 2000

Bushco (a.k.a. the US government) has now successfully killed 2000 of its citizens subjects via the war in Iraq. That's roughly two-thirds of the number killed in New York on September 11, 2001. Only 1000 more to go before we declare war on ourselves.

That's quite an achievement, George. You've really manifested your demons quite successfully. But don't rest on your laurels. You've got a long way to go if you really want to make your mark on history.

Keep that freedom marching!

Posted at 11:12 PM

Just Curious

Dear George,

Why does no one in your companyadministration seem to care that 8 billion taxpayer dollars are missing in Iraq?

And another thing: where's Osama?

Just Curious,
Len

Posted at 12:22 AM | View all replies (1)

Fool Me Once

Twas the Night Before SOTUA, and all the pundits were drooling.

For the record, I call myself libertarian. My politics are neither right- nor left-wing. They lie far outside the silly one-dimensional spectrum to which USians limit themselves. So I typically find myself at odds with both "sides" of issues as they are presented by the media. But, make no mistake, I am pretty much against everything Bushco has ever said, done or contemplated doing.

I am always reluctant to post links to avowedly "liberal" sites. However, this one is too good to pass up: Elizabeth de la Vega, a former federal prosecutor, lays the smackdown on the Unitary Executive Theory of Kabuki Democracy. Articles this honest may have appeared elsewhere, but this is the first one I've seen that expresses the fear and outrage that I'm feeling.

And so we find ourselves trying to solve the following equation:

Impeachment seems like a good solution, but it would only provide temporary comfort. Bushco has successfully asserted vast new executive powers that destroy the constitutional balance, and those powers will simply not be surrendered by the next administration, no matter what their party or ideology. The damage is done. We need a more permanent solution.

Dare it speak its name?

Posted at 11:04 PM | View all replies (2)

Feelin' Lucky, Asshole?

Christ, what an asshole!

Posted at 11:13 PM | View all replies (3)