What an Estonian Brigadier General told me today

Great thread OP. I always perk up a bit when I hear an interview or speech starting from someone who grew up or lived in the old Soviet Union. Not only were we told we were enemies by our respective Governments for many years ...and so I'm always curious to hear their take from their side of the wall during all that, but invariably they end up being the strongest supporters of freedom.

I think what he's saying transcends all concerns of politics too. Some of the current European nations ARE socialist and they DO work for the population size and circumstances they have...so I don't just blanket associate it all to political direction. Freedom is certainly the universal value though and I think Ronald Reagan said it best,

" "I hope we have once again reminded people that man is not free unless government is limited. There's a clear cause and effect here that is as neat and predictable as a law of physics: as government expands, liberty contracts."" - President Reagan, Jan, 1989

and

"The ten most dangerous words in the English language are "Hi, I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."
-President Reagan, July, 1988

How times have changed.

I'm sure some of you nuts would insist that my being on ATS hurts my odds at landing a job there

Nuts???

reply to post by cartesia


Gosh Australians the their nationalist posts. Why are we always compared to your country? Why don't you compare your country to places more similar like I dunno the UK...

And from the looks of it your country is just as controlled by the big banks as the USA. You also have China and my government looking to exploit you. I think Australia is in a worst situation then the USA.

Sorry for the long time it took to me to get back to you all.

Originally posted by fastbob72
We should appreciate what we do have in the west but that doesn't mean we shouldn't fight to keep it or improve our positions,nor should we ease up on the authorities or believe they have our own interests at heart because they're not as outwardly draconian as administrations elsewhere in the world !!

This is pretty much what I got out of it. I totally agree that if the time comes to fight for our rights then we need to stand firm. It's just that sometimes you get so caught up in the fights that you fail to appreciate that the world we live in is a lot better off than other places and other times in history.

Brigadier General Kiili's message inspired me to never give up my rights, while at the same time (give the man's background) made me take a step backwards and really appreciate how many rights we do have, and how free we really are.

reply to post by Cyn50


When I was a young girl we were proud to be Americans. I used to think, I live in the best country in the world, I live in the best state in that country, ( at that time NY ) I live in the best city in that state. NYC. I thought that I was in the best place on the planet. Not only that but when I learned about the other planets in our solar system guess what? Now I also lived on the best planet.
Somewhere along the way we lost our pride or it is not taught any more. Anyway its all still true. Visit another country if you have doubts.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


There was a reason we were told they were enemies, because it was true. The threats during the cold war were real. I lived through the bomb drills where we had to gather in the hallways of the school and squat down and cover our heads. ( like that was going to protect us from a nuclear bomb) They didnt trust us any more than we trusted them and that left an atmosphere of fear on both sides. It was all real. I was young during the Bay of Pigs fiasco but I remember the feeling of it. I also remember thinking when Kennedy was assassinated that we are doomed. I was a child with a childs knowledge but I remember the feelings very well.

When an employer can target you for firing for no reason because you are 6 months away from retirement and you have no control over the situation; this is NOT freedom

it is bond slavery.

and is only ONE example of it that exists in this country

reply to post by Cyn50

~~~What I am getting at is that America is a great place to live in the world. Be grateful. Appreciate the people around you. You could be in a much harder place right now, but you are in America.~~~

And you want to be in the NSA??? That's scary...

Open your eyes...Look around...Your Estonian officer wasn't praising you for being a free American...He was warning you because even he sees what's going on in America...

We are going to be in a much harder place if we continue on the path we are going...

Unfortunately, too many are trading OUR freedom for THEIR security. Although the THEM are few, they are powerful.

I feel as free today as I did in 1980

but if you read these boards hitler is in power and we are communists now

lol

I could even go buy a gun if I wanted, and my wife just started a private for-profit business

bwahahahahahahahahahaha

Originally posted by ArtisticOne
When an employer can target you for firing for no reason because you are 6 months away from retirement and you have no control over the situation; this is NOT freedom

it is bond slavery.

and is only ONE example of it that exists in this country

that sux but has nothing to do with political and economic freedom. whoever got fired is free to start a business or invest in a business, because he/she is free to do so

reply to post by Cyn50


I don't think calling the people here "nuts" was the best way to get us to hear what you have to say...to be honest, after that I stopped reading. A little kindness goes a long way, my friend.

reply to post by Cyn50


Good luck on your career choice but it seems that the NSA is pretty much at odds with the freedom you speak of...I don't know how you can reconcile the two...

You have a pretty rosy picture of the USA today...The millions of gun owners in Connecticut don't appear to share your perception...

I'm sure we need the NSA but I hope you (all) go into that organization with the blinders off...Make yourself aware of what's going on around you...Don't just be a sheep...

Druscilla
Ask most people that have been abroad travelling extensively what the richest or wealthiest country they've visited is, and typically, the answer is USA.

I've been abroad. In terms of what feels like the wealthiest, most competent countries I've been in,

1) Austria. Random countryside in Austria is much much richer and higher level than equivalent in USA. There is no Arkansas in Austria.
2) Netherlands.

Never seen Denmark or Norway, but they are probably up there.

USA feels like a medium-level country with a large number of very wealthy people in it, but not a rich country.

reply to post by Cyn50


Freedom is a state of mind it can not be given or taken away.......People in today's world are wearing the chains of apathy and cowardice because the progressive mindset that is taught in schools and sadly even at home. This mindset has taken root and only a complete loss of comfort will awaken the inner conservative in people again.




Liberalism only works in the best of times when things are hard it always fails. It fails because at it core it is rotten. Everybody wins,everyone is entitled,handouts,affirmative action....the list goes on. If society buys into this crap it will fail. History will prove it over and over again. The progressive mindset is cancer for yourself and for your family.



Think I am nuts.......Just look how many young adults can not adapt into adulthood. This is a direct symptom and so is the collapse of the moral high ground. It is all planned so the PTB can come and save the day.

Response to General: Yes sir, I'm on it.