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Independance Day - The day in which we celebrate the founding of the worlds first Democracy. It would end up being the model for the entire civilized world, as they fought against longstanding dictatorships and hereditary rule, for the right to be free. Free to speak their minds, practice their own religions, and just plain freedom to do whatever the fuck it is they want to do. It was a noble fight, and a just one. As who among us actually wishes to be told what to do by some King or the various "Elites" out there?
In many ways, Lucid Vision is much like those early colonial Americans. People tend to forget that at the time of the Revolutionary War, England was not just a power, but the worlds only true superpower. Standing against the might of the British Empire, with unlimited money, superior arms, superior numbers, advanced training and the best equipment of the period - Was a small rag-rag group of folks, with no training, and weapons that they looted from their enemies corpses. Yet despite the huge numbers and phat loot advantage of this zerg empire, the Americans not only won, but they did so convincingly. Much like Lucid Vision always does. One other thing people forget, is that it wasn't just some stalemate or close call. The British were not only completely owned, but forced to sign treaties and grant various concessions so as to not get their asses kicked any further. It was a decisive victory, and one in which any member of our guild can relate to.
So what have we done with this freedom we won? If you go back to the revolutionary period that this day celebrates, you will notice a very different American from the kind you see today. The Americans who fought for, and founded this nation were actual men. The kind of man who was willing to fight and die for his personal freedoms. If some king decided to take a mans property, he would fight for it. If some moronic political elite tried to pass laws that infringed on his freedom, he would rebel against the unjust laws regardless of the consequences. When taxes were raised on tea, the colonial response wasn't just to bitch and whine as we do now. The response was attacks on ships, and destruction of millions of dollars of product. The tax collectors themselves were beaten, and then tarred and feathered - To the point where there was nobody left willing to take the job. While the Boston Tea Party is the most famous, there were many other "Tea Parties" in all the colonies of the period. In fact, such acts were taken against various other products that were taxed. Americans of that period just refused to be told what to do by a King, some political hack, or anybody else. In fact, it was with this mindset that the Constitution and Bill of Rights were written. Think about some of the amendments, and the way in which they are worded. The Founding Fathers in their infinite wisdom, realized that people would get in power and try to abuse it. They also knew that the elites in power, would try and limit freedoms "For the peoples own good." This is why instead of laws, we have RIGHTS. Rights that are near impossible to amend or change. Unless of course you just shit on the Constitution.(which happens every day with increasing regularity) Some of these rights are popular, such as the absolute right to free speech, and the right t(recently shit upon the Supreme Court) of property owners to not have their homes stolen from them by government. Some are not, such as the right to bear arms(also shit on daily), which was written with the intent that private citizens if they chose, would always be just as armed as police or any branch of government. These rights exist because the Founding Fathers didn't trust government to protect them, hence a Constitution. In fact the right to bear arms, was little more then the Founding Fathers attempt at "Checks and Balances" on the unbridaled power of the police and military. Try and remember that the next time some condescending cop, with a pistol on his belt harasses you about something you know you are in the right on. This was something the Constitution was supposed to prevent.
So here we are. A take-no-shit from anybody nation, with protected rights, freedom to do what we want, and a rebellious attitude. How the hell did we go from a country of men, to the pussified country of Oprah? I'm unsure, but i could write a book on the sad state of the "Pussification of the American Male." Gone is the take no shit attitude of our forefathers. Instead we accept whatever it is that government or the power elite force upon us. Think i'm exaggerating? How many smokers rebelled or even voted against the party that forced a crippling 3-4$ per-pack tax on them? Few if any. They just grumbled and whined, and paid the tax. Despite the fact that they could circumvent it by buying online. (But being the pussies they are, they did not) They didn't even complain when they banned smoking in bars in my state, and many of those same smokers - Voted for the party that did it to them. Spineless wimps the lot of em. How about our much vaunted freedom of speech? Sure you can say what you wan't in theory, but have a blog or get caught saying the wrong thing even out of work and it could cost you your job. Ozzie Guillen was recently fined 500k and forced to attend sensitivity classes simply for uttering the word "Fag." Wheres the outrage and rebelliousness we are famous for? Well there was some outrage, but only from those outraged that he wasn't fired outright. While public opinion was probably on his side, you rarely heard about it. Because the public being pussies, was much too scared to publically defend the man. Despite the fact that most people use similar words themselves. Freedom of speech my ass. How about property rights? One of the foundations of this country and basis of the revolution, was the defense of property from kings and tyrants. A mans home is his castle the saying goes, and our Constitution clearly forbids the taking of a mans property and giving it to some rich elite. Yet, just 20 minutes away from me in Long Branch, NJ - Hundreds of people are being forcibly evicted from beachfront homes, many with appraised values of well over 450k each. These are nice homes, with big yards, some of which have been owned by the same people for 30-40+ years. Why are they being taken? Because the city of Long Branch decided that if they took the homes, they could raze them and build luxury high-rise beachfront condo's. Then sell those condo's to the rich for 1.5 Million a pop, and make MUCH more in property taxes. Unconstitutional? Yup. Unethical? Yup. Something completely fucked up, that you thought only happened in Soviet Russia? Also Yup. Yet it happens here every day, and the people have only themselves to blame. It reminds me of a conversation with my dad a couple years back when they were taking the original homes. He said to me "You know. A man works his entire life to provide for his family. A roof over there heads, food on the table, and a place to call there own. I own this house, and if that man(Mayor Adam Schneider, Long Branch, NJ) tried to take it from me - I'd walk up to him and shoot him right in the head. It's simply the principle of the matter. Theft is theft, and stealing is stealing. Regardless of if it's some two-bit gangster robbing a car or a bank, or some Harvard educated suit, using the law and legal system as a weapon. You fight back and defend whats yours with the resources you have. Wanna take my home? You better fucking kill me first." and he was of course correct. I know my dad well, and he wasn't bullshitting. He would have killed the man had it been done to him. Truth be told, i would do the same thing. It's the difference between being a man and an American, Vrs being a limp-wristed pussified tool. Just as people defended there homes with arms from invaders, rampaging armies, and other threats in yesteryear. If you refuse to defend it with those same tools now, you deserve what you get. A couple of dead landgrabbers would also make others think twice about doing it. A much more effective and bold statement then simply whining and spending thousands in court, which only serves to make the lawyers(who most likely attend the same country club as the Mayor) richer.
As i write this from Bradley Beach, NJ. I do so with a cold beer by my side, and within one block of the beach itself. While this day is all about celebrating those who gave their lives for personal freedoms, i realize that despite this - It's illegal for me to walk outside holding my beer, it's against the law for me to consume my beer while on the beach(Oh - It's also against the law to smoke on the beach), and it's actually against the law for me to even walk onto the beach without paying a fee to get on. Despite the fact that the law states clearly that beaches are owned by the public, and i have a legal RIGHT to be there. Yet, year after year the town hires guards for every entrance during the summer months, and extorts a fee to get on during certain hours(9-5pm). They even used to have people go onto the beach and spot-check to make sure you paid, even if you were there prior to the alotted time. This practice stopped, after a couple of people who refused to leave, were arrested - Yet fought in court and won. As our forefathers before us fought, it's still important now to fight for our rights and freedoms. Be they small things like beach access, and me drinking beer on the beach(I outlined that argument on our forums. Bottom Line: Cop walked away befuddled, and i kept on drinking) to large things like Government stealing your home. This country was founded on certain kinds of ideals, ideals that have been largely lost due to the pussification of the men in our society. Gone are men willing to fight for principle, replaced by men "In touch with their feelings." It's a good thing guilds like Lucid Vision exist, as one of the few places men(and women) with actual backbones can congregate within the divine light of the Lord Jesus himself. It's guilds like ours which keeps the spirit of the true patriots alive.
So as i reflect back on our countries former glory, i am simply saddened by it's current state. Granted this sadness will be soon forgotten, as i spend the next hour or so perusing internet porn, but it's that small space between the porno, adult swim, and beer drinking where i reflect back that counts. Have a happy 4th of July folks, and do try and remember the legacy and origin behind the holiday. Make Jesus and our kick-ass take no-prisoners forefathers proud.
Amen |