Have we come so far so as to have forgotten what Liberty is ?

"A time for choosing" by Ronald Regan, from the Ronald Regan Library : I am reminded of the Paul Harvey "If I were the devil" piece he did, and the ultimate truth it contained.
www.youtube.com...

Those who have never had to contribute to maintaining our freedoms and liberty will scarcely grasp or understand this Speech, for their world is one of self, not America. And never has America been so divided willing to embrace failed ideologies like socialism or communism. Never has hate so ruled the minds of men in our country.
You had better be sure of what you wish for, you might not have a second chance. Our future hinges on it.
This is from 1964... the times of most of your Parents and Grandparents not so long ago, when moral fabric existed when we were "We the People"

I fear this is an epoch now nearly Lost.

a reply to: Plotus

Because warren of Snares

watershipdown.wikia.com...

Hazel and his friends believe that this is the perfect place for them, since the tenants seemed so healthy and safe. They overlook some odd tendancies like refusing to answer questions, reciting poetry, and building mosaics on the warren walls and decide to settle in. After repeated warnings from Fiver that the warren is not safe, Bigwig gets caught in a snare. The runaways from Sandleford Warren soon discover that what they thought was a new home is actually a death trap. The Cowslip rabbits refuse to help and get angry at Fiver for asking for them to release Bigwig. Once Bigwig is free, it becomes apparent that men snare the warren territory, but keep the rabbits happy with good food and only a few kills at a time. The Cowslip rabbits feel that this is a good enough trade for the safety and food they are offered and soon become odd and domesticated rabbits. The Sandleford Hlessil decide to leave. Also, Strawberry, a member from Cowslip's Warren, decides to ditch the warren and joins Hazel's adventure.

Seems to be some dispute about the origins of this speech.

constitutioncenter.org...

and other sources. You've got me, I've never bothered to look before...

a reply to: Plotus

The Statue of Liberty was once a symbol, a beacon of liberty to the rest of the world. Then they attached that silly poem to it.

a reply to: Plotus

Have you ever heard someone say "I hate making decisions" or "I am terrible at choosing," etc.

Someone recently explained it to me in a way that finally makes sense:

Some people see it as 'freedom' and 'liberty' if the wonderful gov chooses all the right things for them. It unburdens the simpletons from ever having to think or have agency over their lives.

Neat huh?

-__-

originally posted by: NarcolepticBuddha
a reply to: Plotus

Have you ever heard someone say "I hate making decisions" or "I am terrible at choosing," etc.

Someone recently explained it to me in a way that finally makes sense:

Some people see it as 'freedom' and 'liberty' if the wonderful gov chooses all the right things for them. It unburdens the simpletons from ever having to think or have agency over their lives.

Neat huh?

-__-

So they never got, or were never taught, that the "pursuit of freedom" included the freedom to fail.

I've never thought about about the line of reasoning you just posted.

Thank you for that... it is something to ponder.

a reply to: Lumenari
Well, in the age of "too big to fail"... I thought it was rather obvious that this was the case.

I hate wishing for violence, but the tree of Liberty seems to be dying for lack of being watered.

a reply to: dubiousatworst

I had always just thought that there is a portion of our country that wants the government to take care of them.

That happens in every civilization.

The parasites.

I had not twisted my mind around the idea that some think that freedom is servitude.

Accept your servitude, I get that.

But not to think that you are free because of it.

Sorry... English is my third language so sometimes I get caught up in the definitions of words vs the meaning of a sentence.

a reply to: Plotus

Ben Franklin is my hero...."They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

Wasn’t ever about liberty, unless by liberty you mean rich guys who wanted to be richer and play by their own rules instead of the rules of some other richer guy.

a reply to: Plotus

a reply to: Lumenari

Yes, they do. It's hard to be responsible for yourself. It's scary.

How much easier if all those tough, icky things are taken care of for you? Like good ole' mom and dad used to do? Some people don't want to grow up and pay the bills. They want to play forever, but they don't realize that it won't work that way. There never will be Eloi or at least, they never will be Eloi if there are. They're far more likely to be forced to become Morlocks.

And that's far too likely sadly enough. And then it will be too late of course.


a reply to: ketsuko

originally posted by: NarcolepticBuddha
a reply to: Plotus


Some people see it as 'freedom' and 'liberty' if the wonderful gov chooses all the right things for them. It unburdens the simpletons from ever having to think or have agency over their lives.

Neat huh?

-__-

Not really.

I agree that this is what some people want, but those people dont realize that their definitions of "freedom" and "liberty" are the exact opposite of what the true definitions are.

They twisted the definitions to where they are technically right for the purpose of their personal agenda, but the context got thrown in the garbage.

They need to be shot if you ask me.