[MD] Democracy

[Ham Priday]

Hello Platt --

> With the election of a far left radical, opponents of the government
> may be banned from free expression as purveyors of "hate speech."
> Such bans have already occurred on college campuses throughout
> the country in the form of "Speech Codes." Conservative talk radio
> is about to be silenced under the banner of a "Fairness Doctrine."
> Inevitably such leftist attacks on free speech will spread to the
> internet as we see happening now in Australia.
>
> I mention this to welcome your "butting in" to this and any other
> discussion while you still have the chance. I know Horse who
> manages this site will do his best to hold off the censors. But the
> forces now being arrayed to control what can and cannot be said
> are mighty.
>
> As for the vanishing of the S/O split in quantum theory, it reflects
> the l experience of physicists who have probed the foundations of
> reality. Thus, I characterize as "experiential knowledge" just as any
> other knowledge I haven't necessarily experienced myself -- like
> having a billion dollars.

I am as disappointed by the election results as you are, Platt.  But it was 
a long time coming, and the leftist/liberal media, an untimely credit 
crisis, and the first African-American presidential candidate Teflon-coated 
by a politically correct electorate made the outcome inevitable.  The truth 
is that America has been drifting left of center at least ever since the 
Reagan administration.  And because State Socialism is no longer viewed as 
the wayward daughter of Communism,  the 'American Dream' has become a civil 
right rather than a goal to be achieved by individual initiative and hard 
work.

Unfortunately philosophical ideals are too far removed from politics to 
exert much affect on the voting public, particularly when 97% of our 
minority population are convinced that electing a Black president is the 
best thing we've done for our country.  I don't know what you mean by "while 
I still have the chance", but I'd be very surprised if the Fairness Doctrine 
could pass Congress and the Supreme Court, even with a Democrat majority. 
Certainly state censoring of the free press and Internet would rouse the 
public's fury, and we still have a representative government no matter how 
far left it leans.

However, in support of your noble cause, this piece of ironic prose by an 
unknown author was forwarded to me recently.  While it's too late to wield 
any influence on this liberal audience, it may raise a few eyebrows and 
provide a source of amusement.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
- - - - - - -
CHANGE...

In the late 1950's most Cubans thought Cuba needed "a change" and
they were right.  So when a young, dynamic leader came along, every Cuban
was at least receptive.  When the young leader spoke eloquently and
passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him.
They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in.

He said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care 
and
education to all, and everyone followed.
He said he would bring justice and equality to all, and everyone said 
"Praise the Lord!"
The young leader said, "I will be for change and I'll bring you change," and 
everyone yelled, "Viva Fidel!"
But by the time the executioner's guns went silent, the people's guns had 
been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, 
hungry, and oppressed.
By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing.
By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now 
working for him.
By the time "the change" was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down 
a couple of notches to Third-World status.
By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to 
boats, rafts, and inner tubes.

Luckily, we in America would never fall for a young leader who promised
change without asking, "what change?"  Would we?

Cheers to all,
Ham