-Caveat Lector- from; http://crabgrasschronicles.tripod.com/seattle.html Click Here: <A HREF="http://crabgrasschronicles.tripod.com/seattle.html">Seatt le and the WTO: Prelude to Resistance</A> ----- The writer and his website cannot seem to seperate his hatred for hippes and his politics. Sad, tiring bs. It is too bad to focus on divicisiveness of differences. The one-world gov crew aren't quite that picky. Om K ----- Seattle and the WTO: Prelude To Resistance Paul Fallavollita A News/Editorial Update for December 2, 1999 Observers of the situation in Seattle earlier this week have noted the similarities to 1960's style activism. This comparison, however slick it pretends to be, is not very useful. The 1960s hippie counterculture was about destruction, the destruction of traditional American values such as patriotism and the work ethic. Although there were left-wing groups participating in the demonstrations against the WTO, there were also considerable numbers of patriotic Americans involved. These demonstrations come at a radically different period in history. The 1990s are not the 1960s. We are in a time period in which the focus is not on promoting destruction, but reconstruction. Today, the debate is not as much one of left versus right but nationalist versus globalist. President Clinton spoke to the WTO in his usual "I'm going to suck up to both sides" tone, stating, "I condemn the small number who were violent and who tried to prevent you from meeting...but I am glad the others showed up, because they represent millions of people who are now asking questions about whether this enterprise in fact will take us all where we want to go" ( quote from CNN at http://cnn.com/1999/US/12/01/wto.07/ ). Then again, he is a politician and that, by definition, makes the situation less surprising, even understandable. The response of governmental forces to the protesters leaves much to be desired. Tear gas, batons, rubber bullets, and other such devices were deployed against the people, some would say in an abusive, overly aggressive way. The scene quickly reminded this writer of British historian Lord Acton's belief that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Absolute power. Our government is not there yet, but it has been skidding down that slippery slope for quite some time. Sometimes the government itself can become the enemy of the people, and can work against the interests of the nation. Thomas Jefferson himself recognized this when he said the tree of liberty needs to be watered from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. G. Gordon Liddy says of rogue DEA, ATF, and FBI agents that come banging on your door "shoot for the head." Americans have a tradition of resistance to the abuse of power. Indeed, the Declaration of Independence cites as one of the reasons for the Revolution the fact that the government in place at the time "erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance." And one can certainly say that Janet Reno and the Clinton Administration have provided us with plenty of examples of abuse and harassment--the Weavers of Ruby Ridge, Idaho, and the Branch Davidians of Waco come quickly to mind. Plus the countless other abuses, farmers and ranchers terrorized by the EPA, or industry by OSHA, or by takings of property under "eminent domain" and so on. Are we Americans today putting up with more than our forefathers would have? I am reminded of the Declaration of Independence: Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. At the moment however, violence is not the answer--from either side. Certain demonstrators behaved irresponsibly and did deserve arrest for acts of vandalism they committed. Yet, the issue here is proportionality. There are those "law and order" types who applaud the unbridled use of force by law enforcement agencies. Their hearts are in the right place, for our manifesto here at The Crabgrass Chronicles calls for law and order. But those who advocate heavy police action need to pause a bit first. Recall Benjamin Franklin's warning that those who would give up their freedom for a little temporary safety deserve neither freedom nor safety. We could reduce crime to zero tomorrow if we had an armed soldier on every street corner. But that wouldn't make me feel safe. This is America, we aren't that kind of country. Maybe Algeria or Pakistan is. Americans will not settle for authoritarianism. We all enjoy seeing criminals (who commit true crimes) get what they deserve. But remember that what the criminal gets today, you could get tomorrow. We should be careful what precedents we set. One should use force to counter force in proportion to the amount it will take to get the job done. The government was far from surgical and far from proportional in its acts. Violence is not the answer, but vigilance certainly is. Another answer is the pen, always mightier than the sword. Our battle is one of ideas, not of material weaponry. Ideas are much more powerful, much more enduring. If more citizens concerned about the future of their country, like the ones who were brave enough to endure the harassment of government agents in Seattle outside the WTO meeting, were to become involved and let their voice be heard--since they are the silent majority, our faith in the institutions of this nation will be proven correct. And everyone will be freer for it. Let these sentinels of freedom prosper. ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, Omnia Bona Bonis, All My Relations. Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
