198 Ways: Surely You'll Find Some Useful Ones
November 11, 2006
12:00 p.m., MT

Music: 'Should I Stay or Should I Go', by The Clash

I know I'm behind the curve on this, but remember, we were travelling and I returned sick, so I'm trying to catch up on many items. And I just now read Kevin Van Horn's inspiring essay titled Creating a Free America. Wow. A small sample of this link-laden piece:

These are unquestionably dark days for America. With the signing of the Military Commissions Act of 2006, the U.S. has now taken the final step toward becoming a police state. That act effectively abolishes the writ of Habeas Corpus, which has protected individuals from arbitrary arrest and imprisonment for 800 years. Any pretense that the United States respects the rule of law, or acknowledges that Americans have any rights whatsoever, has now been swept away.

What are you going to do about it? Would you rather read about freedom ... talk about freedom ... write about freedom ... theorize about freedom ... or experience freedom? Do you want to live with back bowed and head lowered in submission, living in constant fear that the wrath of your masters will descend upon you — or do you want to walk with your head held high, ruler of your own life?

I've been thinking long, hard, and very carefully about going PT again, for myriad reasons that essays like Kevin's summarize neatly. But his essay, coming as it did for me on the heels of a long conversation with my November Salon interview victim, has me retracing my steps some. More thinking is in order.

Kevin's providing a forum for some quality thinking-out-loud for those who are interested in walking the path of bringing freedom to some parts of the USSA. You can read about the upcoming, action-oriented workshop at his site, Beyond Ballots or Bullets: Creating a Free America. A personal note: I've known Kevin for several years now, mostly through internet contact but also via some real-time interactions; and I've been consistently impressed with his thoughtful demeanor and focus on freedom. He might not be a name in the freedom community (yet), but he certainly walks his talk. If his ideas and vision inspire you, sign up for the workshop; I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Well and good, Sunni, I imagine you thinking, but what does that 198 Ways in the title refer to? It refers to the 198 methods of nonviolent action [PDF alert], which Kevin linked to in his essay. Reading through the outline, compiled by Gene Sharp, freedom-seekers will find some good ideas for furthering your rejection of the state and its systems, as well as for making one's views peacefully known. Many of you are probably already engaged in a few ... but expanding one's repertoire is always a good thing.


[Programming note: For those wondering when the next issue of Sunni's Salon will be out, it should be sometime next week. Tom has a lot on his plate these days too.]

Sunni

Comments: 8 people have contributed to the conversation

On Saturday, November 11th, at approximately 7:38 p.m. Mountain time, Jorge said:

If you decide to go PT and make it down my way visit and stay a while. We'll grill some home grown rabbits and chicken and enjoy the near perfect climate of Costa Rica's central valley

As much as I admire what Kevin wants to do I think Jomama has a more accurate view of matters. I don't want to be around when it all falls apart. The falling pieces could land on me or those I care about.

I wish Kevin and those who join him well and hope that the fedgov goons do not decide to disappear them. Given that I have a family, not a risk I am willing to take.

On Monday, November 13th, at approximately 10:02 a.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

Thank you so much for the invitation, Jorge; I imagine it'll come as no surprise that I'm very interested in some field research on Costa Rica.

As to the matter at hand, you've framed the issue quite nicely. But rather than keep the discussion here—and I do hope there is a good discussion—I've started a Boondocks thread on the subject. It's open for visitors to see; and I invite all contributors willing to keep the conversation civil to participate. One needs to be a member to do so; and memberships need admin approval, so if you aren't already a Boondocker, you may want to mention my name and/or this thread.

On Monday, November 13th, at approximately 11:25 a.m. Mountain time, Vaughn said:

Jorge - I noticed a news article last month that said that Costa Rica had recently passed legislation limiting individual ownership of firearms.

How has this played out to date and is it any indication of trends in CR?

On Monday, November 13th, at approximately 5:46 p.m. Mountain time, Jorge said:

Vaughn,

The article is incorrect. The major opposition party has proposed a law to ban manufacture of firearms as part of their campaign against CAFTA but the local papers have not mentioned anything about restrictions on individual ownership. To my knowledge no bill has actually been presented in Congress, let alone passed. Note that it is already illegal to sell firearms (and alcohol and tobacco) to minors.

The same party made a big stink recently about weapons being made in CR. There was a subsidiary of an Argentine gun manufacturer here, but they were making parts for kitchen appliances. Given the ranting and bad publicity they decided to leave CR. They closed shop laying off about 700 employees.

On Tuesday, November 14th, at approximately 12:32 a.m. Mountain time, Vaughn said:

Thanks for the feedback, Jorge. That's ironic about the Argentinian company that pulled out of CR. Well - that's what I get for reading the People's Daily!

Re-reading the PD article - I was struck by some of Arias' statements and the references to the UN's small arms treaty and ran a query thru Google News of "Costa Rica" + arias + arms.

Among the result were an article by Amnesty Int'l and another from Canada's Globe and Mail.

Both articles refer to the UN's efforts to bring about a treaty to regulate small arms (whatever that is...) and it does appear Arias is a supporter of such efforts - fwiw.

I also noticed that the G&M article referred to Arias as the former prez of CR - but the PD represented him as the current prez - with only a 10 day difference in print dates. Was Arias voted out - or is this more propaganda from either China or Canada? (a cursory Googling seems to indicate Oscar Arias is still prez...)

On Tuesday, November 14th, at approximately 12:06 p.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

Hey, Vaughn—good to see you again! Hope you're doing well these days.

On Wednesday, November 15th, at approximately 12:47 p.m. Mountain time, Vaughn said:

Hello, Sunni. Thanks for the welcoming words. I stop by here, and your salon, regularly - just haven't had anything to say.

On Thursday, November 16th, at approximately 8:31 p.m. Mountain time, Jorge said:

Arias was president from 1986 - 1990 and elected again in 2006.

Arias is generally anti-gun, but that is not high on the agenda. He is on record as supporting the proposed UN treaty. But that is it. There hasn't been any action in this area and if there was it is my guess that he would run into tough opposition from his own party in the legislature.

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