Saturday, January 09, 2021

Self-Government Means Free Access to Information

If we the people of the United States are to remain self-governed, we must have access to all information, arguments, and opinions relevant to public affairs so that we may assess and choose the leaders that we desire to represent us in government.

Our free access to information and opinions must never be restricted. There are no essential substitutes for the freedom of speech and the press. Free access to a discussion about political matters is necessary for any society to remain free and self-governed.

Throughout history, repressive regimes, dominant dictators, and communist countries have recognized the power of freedom of speech. Repressive government bodies make certain they are the arbiters of what is “really” going on at home and abroad, and they regularly inform their subjects of "the truth" Any contrary opinions are silenced. Repressive governments may not allow free people to discuss public affairs and give opinions that differ from the party line. 

LEFTISM (available for free download) was written by Dr. Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn (1909-1999). Erik was a scholar and leading historian of the German “Nazionalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei” (National Socialist German Workers’ Party). He gives a gripping summary of what happens when repressive governments censor their people “for the good” of the nation. Dr. Kuehnelt-Leddihn writes:
"When a government demands identically dressed men or women carry out identical movements (e.g., “by everyone thinking, saying, and doing the same thing”), that nation gives the overpowering impression of homogeneity, synchronization, symmetry, and uniformity. A leftist identity movement tends toward the effacement of self (e.g. "the individual") and towards nostrism (e.g. "USness"). In nostrism, the individual becomes submerged in the whole as in ‘We're all in this together.’”

Nostrism was the term created by the Austrian Nazi Walter Pembaur (1886-1948). The Nazis (The National Socialist German Workers' Party) used nostrism in a clever way. 'Whoever praises and extolls the collective unit in which he participates (the German nation, the Aryian race, the working class, the Nazi party) only praises himself."

The nonconforming person or group who sins against the sacred principle of sameness will always be treated as a traitor, and if he is not a traitor the envious majority will push him in that direction through social shaming. All leftist identity movements take a stand for sameness and oppose otherness. All modern liberal trends point to the specter of a terrifying, bigger and more pitiless conformity.

To the simple-minded, identical laws, identical measurements, an identical language, an identical currency, an identical education, an identical political power ("one-man-one-vote"), identical pay rates, an identical intellectual level, and identical clothes (or coverings) seem highly desirable. It simplifies matters. It is cheaper. It saves thinking. To certain minds it even seems 'more just.'"

Political leftism destroys personal liberty. I would thoroughly subscribe to the words of Alexis de Tocqueville when he wrote, "Despotism appears to me particularly to be dreaded in democratic ages. I think that I would have loved liberty at all times, but in the present age I am ready to worship it."

The far-right extremist groups that breached the United States Capitol in an attempt to undermine the rule of law have been and should be condemned by all Americans. President-elect Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States, and Christians are called by Scripture to pray "for kings and all those in authority" (I Timothy 2:2). We will pray for Mr. Biden. 

But we will continue to speak out on the oppression of freedom and the repression of free people. Shutting down Americans' free access to information and opinions on political matters - even if you don't like the discussion being had - is never the solution for free people living in a free country. 

 As Benjamin Franklin once said: 

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

42 comments:

Rex Ray said...

Wade,

Yes, self-government means free access to information. One source of information is Google.

Trump condemned Proud Boys a long time ago:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-proudboys/trump-says-he-condemns-all-white-supremacists-including-proud-boys-idUSKBN26N09B

In my opinion, Proud Boys got their revenge on Trump when they knew their actions at the Capital would get Biden elected as President as shown in the link below.

https://www.capradio.org/articles/2021/01/06/trump-supporters-proud-boys-converge-on-californias-capitol-to-protest-electoral-college-count/

Christiane said...

Hello WADE,
thank you for writing this: "The far-right extremist groups that breached the United States Capitol in an attempt to undermine the rule of law have been and should be condemned by all Americans."


I believe we should also hold the people accountable who openly and publicly sent these people down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol. These people then got into their limonsines and went to watch the results on television.

It's an old and terrible game of manipulation they played with people's lives called: "hey, let's you and them go fight" but this time their actions prompted the deaths of five people and the wounding of many.

'Freedom' is a great gift, but in order to maintain our American freedom, we have to hold it dear because it has been paid for in the blood of our soldiers and we must uphold that freedom as a country in which the rule of law prevails over the 'mob'. I hope it will be so and I hope the country may be able to heal, in more than one way.

Thanks again for your comment although I may not agree with all of what you have said, but I have always wanted for folks to do their own thinking and arrive at their own conclusions. Sometimes sources of information used by manipulative people will try to do harm to others for their own purposes, but most Americans are NOT supportive of that kind of manipulation or demagoguery. Extremists have had their day. But our country has said 'no' to them firmly and I am grateful to God we have survived the extremists. At least for now.

Anonymous said...

“When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar; you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say." ~ Tyrion Lannister.

Christiane said...


"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" - St.Paul

(Ephesians 4:31)

Rex Ray said...

Sojourner,

“When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar; you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say."

That hit the nail on the head! That’s about the same as Twitter suspending Trumps account as told on Hannity’s TV show today.

Hannity said, “The media and Democrats have spent four years spewing hate and rage in undermining Trump. Tyler Shields has a Twitter account with more than one million followers. Hannity showed a picture of her holding a picture of the bloody severed head of Trump.

He also recorded people saying Trump had done something that was impeachable 24 times starting in November 2016 to September 2019.

Hannity ended his show saying Democrats want to Impeach Trump again.

Christiane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christiane said...

THIS is the oath that Trump has openly betrayed:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

Christiane said...

US Constitution, Amendment XIV:

"Section 3.
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability."

Rex Ray said...

CHRISTIANE,

I believe with all my heart Trump fits Rudyard Kipling’s Poem “IF”.

If you can keep your head when all about you
are losing theirs and blaming you;

Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,

Rex Ray said...

CHRISTIANE,

One more shot. 😊
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basket_of_deplorables

"Basket of deplorables" is a phrase from a 2016 presidential election campaign speech delivered by Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on September 9, 2016, at a campaign fundraising event, which she used to describe half of the supporters of her opponent, Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Anonymous said...

Rex,

First they manipulate your mind via years of psychological indoctrination.

Then they silence your mouth via censorship.

Then they cut off your arms via weapons confiscation.

Then they take your heart via genocide.

Rinse and repeat. Nothing new. History repeating itself.

Since we are canceling anything related to Google and Amazon this will be my last comment (unless Wade switches hosting platforms).

May the Lord bless you all in these troubled times!

Rex Ray said...

Sojourner,

Don’t understand why you’re leaving Wade’s blog. We will miss you.
I need you to explain why and if its right for Democrats to impeach Trump again.

I’ve heard a rule if a President is impeached twice, he cannot run for the office again.
I think that rule is like a person being found innocence twice but put in prison.

Also, Biden promises to open the border.

Anonymous said...

Sorry, Rex, we’re not supporting these big tech companies that are committing crimes against humanity. We canceled most of our gmail accounts when the convid-1984 started, but forgot about the one I use to log in to post on Wade’s site. I undeleted it just to post one last time. 🙂

It ain’t over till the fat lady sings!

Retired Lt General gives the details about antifa spurring on the Capitol riot and Trump’s special ops guys grabbed Pelosi’s laptop. Hope for the best (many traitors arrested and prosecuted), but expect it to get messy quick. I’ve got people in the know telling me communications and utilities could go down.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9hz0EH_BsLA&feature=youtu.be

Rex Ray said...

Sojourner,

Your link:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9hz0EH_BsLA&feature=youtu.be
IS A SCARY EYE OPENER

WOW; the Antifa stole Pelosi’s laptop from her office! And the interview with General MacNair exposed fraud in ballot counting.

Christiane said...

Some signs of a CULT:


1. The leader is the ultimate authority.
Criticizing the leader, even if true, is not allowed.
Cult leaders convince members to give up critical thinking, best self interest and good judgment in return for a sense of belonging.

2. The group suppresses skepticism. People who contradict the group are viewed as persecutors and are labeled “anti.”

3. The group delegitimizes former members. They are dismissed as bitter and are persecuted by the leader.

4. The group is paranoid. Cults thrive on conspiracy theories and label non-believers as evil.

5. The leader is above the law. Cult leaders accuse others of crimes they themselves commit.

6. The leader will constantly repeat a lie. Reasoning: 'if you repeat a lie enough, people will start to believe it'

7. The leader says "I alone have the answers" "I alone can fix this"
The leader will denigrate those who are qualified and will expect his/her followers to
also reject truth openly.

8. No financial transparency.

9. Secrets. Symbols. Isolation of followers to one source of information:
'Only we know the real truth' 'Come to us only for the real truth'

10. If charged with wrong-doing, will use excuse 'I was only following orders'
'I was showing loyalty to our leader'

Rex Ray said...

CHRISTIAN,

WOW, it seems Sojourner’s link has opened your eyes about the truth of Democrats.

Christiane said...

Good Morning, REX RAY

this might help you a bit:

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/trump-mob-capitol/

Christiane said...

REX RAY,

actually, it occurred to me that this past week was the first time (I think) that a sitting president tried to 'wag the dog' by going to war against his own country.

Rex Ray said...

CHRISTIANE,

I learned a long time ago on some subjects, Snopes.com was as trustworthy as using thread to climb a mountain. (Anything about Obama was one.)

You said: “it occurred to me that this past week was the first time (I think) that a sitting president tried to 'wag the dog' by going to war against his own country.”

CONGRATULATIONS! In my opinion, of all the lies told against Trump, you’ve won first place.

Christiane said...

Now, REX RAY,

I wouldn't have said that unless I really believed he had INSTIGATED the attack on the Capitol and it was a variety of his followers that participated in the violence.

He was very open in the way that he did this, so there is no question about his involvement.

I don't think YOU tell lies, I just think you have been using sources that are not reliable, and that your conclusions are therefore flawed. It has happened to a lot of good people who trusted in their sources.

But when someone is video-taped and recorded saying certain things, and we see the results quickly follow, then you have to admit, that is evidence of what I think is the actions of a deranged man. We need for him to resign. He went coup-coup.

Rex Ray said...

CHRISTIANE,

Did you even look at Sojourner’s link?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9hz0EH_BsLA&feature=youtu.be

The video shows Pelosi’s laptop under the bulging jacket of a man.

More important is what this group of men said. Did you hear them?

First, the definition of words:
“Maga” is the group of peaceful Trump protesters.
“Antifa” are Marxist who want to destroy democracy.

The group of men said, “We are not Antifa.”

I believe they told the truth because how could anything on Pelosi’s laptop destroy democracy?
And they were not Maga because peaceful protestors could care less about Pelosi’s laptop.

Christiane, how’s this for a theory? When Trump saw the Capitol ‘invaded’ by Antifa, he sent men to steal Pelosi’s laptop; hoping something on it could incriminate her of doing wrong.

Christiane said...

"Evangelicals from across the UK also wrote an open letter saying: “At this time when the political polarisation in the UK is intense… we fear that [Franklin Graham’s] activities in the UK will widen divides in churches and communities."
After the venues cancelled the bookings, Franklin Graham said:
“As Americans, we should be concerned about the rise of secularism and the suppression of religious freedom and freedom of speech in the UK… What happens there often makes its way to the United States.”
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/5050/us-christian-anti-lgbt-20m-europe/

Is it possible that the push-back in the UK against what Franklin Graham's BGEA was doing there was really an attempt by the UK evangelicals to CURB what they saw as an increase in intensity of Franklin Graham's position against LBGTQ groups that reflected to them a worsening kind of 'intolerance' bordering on a more unacceptable 'open' advocation by BGEA of that perceived intolerance than is 'acceptable' in the UK which permits religious freedom that does not lead to bigotry which make trigger actions against LBGTQ folks.

Trumpism has led to a more hyperbolic use of language among some fundamentalist-evangelical groups and this is seen in a different light in the UK as an unacceptable change that encourages an increase in incivility toward 'those other sinners'. (Just my opinion as I try to sort out the 'why' of how trumpism has hurt the Church.)

Christiane said...

REX RAY, your theory tells me you at least know that Trump sent people to the Capitol.
Well, that's a start on the road to what really happened.

I think Trump's goal was to interfere and try to stop the work of the Legislative Body of our government as scheduled in order to do its Constitutional duty.
He failed.
There was an 'interruption', and there were injuries and deaths, and property damage, yes.

But at 8pm, the Legislature continued its work and finished it in the wee hours of the morning as per its Constitutional duty to our nation.

Your theory? They trashed Ms. Nancy's office. They terrorized her staff who hid in the dark under a table while the mob pounded on the door to that room. But what the mob and Trump basically did that day was to OPENLY SHOW the nation 'who they really were' and it is recorded on film and on tape and we can SEE and HEAR for ourselves.

Wow.

Time now to hold people accountable under the law for the sake of justice; particularly the instigators and those who planned the attack on our Congress and our Constitution.

Rex Ray said...

CHRISTIANE,

You keep saying the “mob” as if they were one group. They were NOT one group.

Many years ago, our father saw the Courthouse of Sherman, Texas partly burned. The LEADERS thought a Black man had raped a White woman, and were determined to hang him without a trial. The ‘jail’ knew they couldn’t protect him, so they locked him in a vault at the Courthouse. In trying to cut the vault door open, the courthouse caught fire. After the fire was put out, the LEADERS found the man had died from smoke. They were so angry they started burning houses in the Black area until the National Guard stopped them.

What really happened, was a woman got pregnant by her lover, but told her husband a certain Black man had raped her.

The point of this story is most of the people there, like our father, had gathered to see what was going on.

The protest at the Capitol lasted TWO days. The first day was peaceful. But the second days had ‘LEADERS’ who were the Proud Boys and Antifa.

Christiane said...

Hello REX RAY,

I read that Trump claims it was 'Antifa', but his buddy Kevin McCarthy told him otherwise:

"No, Mr. President, it wasn't Antifa, it was MAGA, I was there "
...Kevin McCarthy (R), House Minority Leader

REX RAY, there is too much on film and recorded and already there have been many arrests. There will be more arrests.

I have no doubt some good people came to DC to protest, who had believed the 'Big Lie' that 'the election was stolen from Trump';
but it is the ones who entered the Capitol and were violent and destructive who are being rounded up as 'terrorists';
like the ones yelling 'Hang Mike Pence';

it's all there on film and the nation is seeing it for themselves - including that speech that Trump gave by the White House that sent the mob down to the Capitol loaded for bear, so to speak:

their goal being to interfere with the Congress' Constitutional duty.

The Representatives and Senators who hid from the mob (and Pence was put into the 'safe room'), they all decided after the riot was ended by the National Guard, to continue their work so they went back to where they had left off and continued working until they finished in the wee hours of the morning, and good for them!

They are all 'witnesses' to what happened, so they also can tell Trump he's giving out the wrong information about 'the mob'. It was MAGA, according to the the word of the Republicans who were there being attacked.

Christiane said...

Hello REX RAY,

I read that Trump claims it was 'Antifa', but his buddy Kevin McCarthy told him otherwise:

"No, Mr. President, it wasn't Antifa, it was MAGA, I was there "
...Kevin McCarthy (R), House Minority Leader

REX RAY, there is too much on film and recorded and already there have been many arrests. There will be more arrests.

I have no doubt some good people came to DC to protest, who had believed the 'Big Lie' that 'the election was stolen from Trump';
but it is the ones who entered the Capitol and were violent and destructive who are being rounded up as 'terrorists';
like the ones yelling 'Hang Mike Pence';

it's all there on film and the nation is seeing it for themselves - including that speech that Trump gave by the White House that sent the mob down to the Capitol loaded for bear, so to speak:

their goal being to interfere with the Congress' Constitutional duty.

The Representatives and Senators who hid from the mob (and Pence was put into the 'safe room'), they all decided after the riot was ended by the National Guard, to continue their work so they went back to where they had left off and continued working until they finished in the wee hours of the morning, and good for them!

They are all 'witnesses' to what happened, so they also can tell Trump he's giving out the wrong information about 'the mob'. It was MAGA, according to the the word of the Republicans who were there being attacked.

Muff Potter said...

I fear for my country.
The Huns and the Visigoths (to use a metaphor) are at her gates even now.

Rex Ray said...

Muff Potter,

“I fear for my country...”

You nailed it! It’s never happened in history of a President being impeached twice.

I believe Pelosi is kin to the Wicked Witch of the North. But she’s smart.

Muff Potter said...

Rex Ray,
It's likely that you misunderstand my comment.
I was not referring to The Speaker of the House.

Christiane said...

IT'S NOT ANTIFA, IT'S MAGA. I KNOW. I WAS THERE.
(Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader, R-California)

REX RAY, your 'sources' lied to you about the make-up of who got called by whom to attack the Capitol.

MUFF POTTER,
the trump-supporters who engaged in the attack on Congress will be investigated and many have already been arrested - the main instigator has been impeached

so now we will find out how fascism tried to destroy democracy on Jan 6th and who was involved and what they did AND WHO ENABLED THEM (apparently it was pre-planned, well-organized.

I honestly don't think that fascism is the answer to what you fear. Fascism destroyed Germany during WWII. It killed millions of people. It is no 'answer' to your worries, no. Find another answer that doesn't involve fascism or white supremacy or contempt for people who are 'not like you'. Then you won't be have to be 'afraid' when a bully gets taken down along with his minions. Deals with the devil ususally end badly. You didn't know this?



'Trump also tried to deflect responsibility for his role in inciting a deadly siege on the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, telling McCarthy "antifa people" were responsible for the violence, Axios reports. McCarthy reportedly shot back: "It's not Antifa, it's MAGA. I know. I was there." Conservative cable news and other media has tried to pin the blame for the insurrection on leftist groups, antifa specifically, though there's clear and documented evidence the violence was perpetrated by Trump supporters, QAnon conspiracists, and far-right militia groups.'

Rex Ray said...

CHRISTIANE,

You wrote this:
McCarthy "antifa people" were responsible for the violence, Axios reports. McCarthy reportedly shot back: "It's not Antifa, it's MAGA. I know. I was there."

MAGA stands for “Make America Great Again”

You didn’t give a link, so this it is it:
https://www.mediaite.com/news/trump-reportedly-blames-antifa-for-capitol-attack-in-call-to-rep-mccarthy-who-shoots-down-conspiracy-theory-its-maga-i-know-i-was-there/

“Axios reports.” WHO IS Axios?

I asked Google and Axios had: “Got a hot tip; contact us.”

Axios, this is a hot tip: “Hitler plans to run for President.”

CHRISTIANE, in war, surprise is very important. If MEGA had pipe bombs and explosives the first day, why would they wait a day before attacking the Capitol? (I don’t expect an answer.)

Christiane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christiane said...

Hello out there, REX RAY
of course I would respond to your comment.
I thought about these strange days where our country is much troubled and I remembered a quote from a woman poet that was used by King George VI of Britain during another time when fascism threatened to overrun the civilized countries of the Western world, this:


"And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East."

(Minnie Louise Haskins)


REX RAY,
what has been sown has come to fruition and it is not over yet, but I do feel it is time for people to be more responsible for the 'sources' they have depended on;
especially when the Court system of our nation and the chiefs of the Pentagon have stood up against what could not have been proven as 'fact' legally.

For Christian people, for the ones who have followed after Donald Trump placing their hope in him, for some kind of 'Christian nation' to be formed in exchange for handing ultimate power over to him;
I would also like to comment this: a description from the time of Britain's war with Hitler, a hymn with a description of 'another country',
which looks NOTHING like the ideal of so many who traded their loyalty in hopes of a US gov't that would be more likened to a 'Christian dominion', this:

"I vow to thee my country
All earthly things above
Entire and whole and perfect
The service of my love
The love that asks no question
The love that stands the test
That lays upon the altar
The dearest and the best
The love that never falters
The love that pays the price
The love that makes undaunted
The final sacrifice

And there's ANOTHER country
I've heard of long ago
Most dear to them that love her
Most great to them that know
We may not count her armies
We may not see her King
Her fortress is a faithful heart
Her pride is suffering
And soul by soul and silently
Her shining bounds increase
And her ways are ways of gentleness
And all her paths are peace
And all her paths are peace "

I am not a fan of Christian dominionist thinking, or of fascism, no. There are NO SHORT CUTS for the work of the whole Church where any demogogue can come and give political power to a group who want to 'create' a 'Christian dominion' here on earth using ways far from gentleness and peace.

Time has come for our nation to examine what happened, to hold guilty people to account, and to begin to heal. But the 'crazy' conspiracy theories haven't helped, have they? And a lie repeated a thousand times is STILL a lie, which has led many good folks into a dark place.
Time to return to basics and to reach out and grab the ONLY Hand that offers us salvation.

Time to come by the 'still waters' and return to humility before the Lord. Then the healing can earnestly begin, and it will,
as Our Lord came to reconcile us to God and to one another also.
May it be so.

Christiane said...

I did respond, REX RAY.

My response has not appeared yet. Maybe it will in time.

Christiane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Scott Shaver said...

You wouldn't know "insurrection" from The Pledge of Allegiance.😄

Scott Shaver said...

Christiane, you just listed a 10 point description of the Democratic party in America.

The portrait of paranoia.

Scott Shaver said...

Christiane: Likewise, you wouldn't know the difference between war and street hockey.

Scott Shaver said...

Christiane: You can really believe that frogs have wings so they don't bump their butts when they jump.

But the belief has no substance in reality.

Scott Shaver said...

Christianne: Funny, my friends from the UK are laughing at your report and declarations of what's happening over there.

Lighten up on the meds.

Scott Shaver said...

Christianne; Whenever you preface a comment with "I read", I always know that means in reality a jaundiced interpretation of whatever you "read".

Scott Shaver said...

Christianne: If there is to be a reconciliation or uniting with communist agendas and idealogies in my mind and heart,can guarantee you it won't be this side of the grave.