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| Aleksandr Isayevich Solzhenitsyn (Source) |
“And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests, as for example in Leningrad, when they arrested a quarter of the entire city, people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers, or whatever else was at hand?... The Organs would very quickly have suffered a shortage of officers and transport and, notwithstanding all of Stalin's thirst, the cursed machine would have ground to a halt! If...if...We didn't love freedom enough. And even more – we had no awareness of the real situation.... We purely and simply deserved everything that happened afterward.”
― Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn , The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956 (Source)
Think about it.
Maybe.
Also, go read this. We must not give away that which the Founders left for us and for which so many have fought, and died, over the decades which followed 1775.
Last rant for the week¹, new laptop is in the house, need to set it up and (ahem) check it out.
I will endeavor to write about something else on Thursday ...
¹ Maybe I'll do a thought for the day only on Leap Day. Yes, 'tis the 29th of February.
Remember what Solzhenitsyn said whenever you become aware of more "common sense" guns laws being proposed. Firearms are far more effective than hammers, knives, clubs and pokers. As far as Thought for the Day, your blog, your rules, yesterday's post sparked lots of comments.......... :)
ReplyDelete"Common sense" - read the Constitution, it is NOT allowed to have gun laws which restrict the right of an American to be armed. BTW, the 2nd Amendment doesn't cover just firearms, it covers ALL weapons. Swords, knives, trebuchets, catapults, ballistae, long arms, pistols, etc. The gubmint is playing with fire, they need to get burned. Thrown out of office, disqualified from holding future office, maybe even some prison time for the worst offenders.
DeleteLet Michael says below, "It's time to stubborn up!"
Our modern world is funny... the Second amendment to our Constitution (the RULES that are supposed to govern our government) has the phrase "shall not be infringed" but that is generally ignored by those in power. While at the same time the Constitution does not even mention "education" (like the Dept Of Education) or "democracy" which is the word of the day used by the Uniparty.
DeleteI've no idea how to get the nation back to following the rules...
Hold the politicians and bureaucrats accountable, but who is going to do that? Not the Supremes, certainly not the DOJ, and most certainly not the low information voters out there who want free stuff and have no responsibility for their own actions, let alone the actions of others. Are we screwed? I really don't know.
Delete"BTW, the 2nd Amendment doesn't cover just firearms,"
DeleteI think it was Tench Cox who wrote, "Their sword, and every terrible implement of the soldier, is the birthright of every American."
And he would be absolutely correct.
DeleteA fellow once asked me, "So, under the 2nd Amendment I can own a nuclear weapon?"
My answer, "Sure, who says you can't? Not the Constitution."
(Of course, other nuclear-armed entities might have a problem with you owning one of those.)
Was looking for a nothing to lose quote and found this:
ReplyDelete“Why don't people with money and power realize that when they screw around with the little guy when they don't have to—especially when it's a little guy like me with not a damn thing to lose—sometimes the little guy is just going to get pissed off and stubborn up?”
― James Anderson, The Never-Open Desert Diner
Is it time to "stubborn Up"?
I like it, I think it's high time to "stubborn up."
DeleteWell past time.
DeleteBG
Amen, BG.
DeleteGood luck with the new computer!
ReplyDeleteSo far I'm rather happy with my selection. Thing is HUGE.
DeleteSize wise or capabilities?
Deletejuvat
While standing in the 10th spot in a non-moving line at the pharmacy!
Both! Buying the cooling pad seems to be a smart purchase as well, was up and running (downloading game SW) for three hours and the beast didn't even get warm. So I haven't really put it through its paces yet, but so far I'm liking it!
DeleteThanks for these, Sarge. I will remain thankful to my forebears for our country - as my ire for those who would destroy it, increases.
ReplyDeleteBoat Guy
Never forget those who made this country, never forgive those who would destroy it.
Delete(dang I miss my computer) I can't find it now, but there is floating out there in the ether a bit on a pro-civil rights site that starts something like "The 2nd Amendment doesn't apply to assault rifles. Or to pistols or revolvers" and goes on to point out that it is a blanket ban on the State interfering with our rights.
ReplyDeleteWhile searching for that I came across this bit of garbage: https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/second-amendment-does-not-guarantee-right-own-gun-gun-control-p-99 and also a Reddit post that went on and on about how the 2nd doesn't protect our individual civil rights. To which I responded:
The Second Amendment doesn't apply to citizens, or if and how they own and carry arms. It is a blanket prohibition on the GOVERNMENT, telling the GOVERNMENT to keep its grubby mits off of our civil rights. "
"The very purpose of a Bill of Rights was to withdraw certain subjects from the vicissitudes of political controversy, to place them beyond the reach of majorities and officials and to establish them as legal principles to be applied by the courts. One's right to life, liberty, and property, to free speech, a free press, freedom of worship and assembly, and other fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections."
: Robert H. Jackson, US Supreme Court Justice West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624 (1943)
The Bill of Rights has been turned on its head. It isn't the State graciously bestowing largesse on the people, it's the people telling the omnipotent State, "NO! You have no authority over this!"
"As civil rulers, not having their duty to the people before them, may attempt to tyrannize, and as the military forces which must be occasionally raised to defend our country, might pervert their power to the injury of their fellow citizens, the people are confirmed by the article in their right to keep and bear their private arms." (Tench Coxe in ‘Remarks on the First Part of the Amendments to the Federal Constitution' under the Pseudonym ‘A Pennsylvanian' in the Philadelphia Federal Gazette, June 18, 1789 at 2 col. 1)
"The right of the citizen to keep and bear arms has justly been considered the palladium of the liberties of the Republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and the arbitrary powers of rulers, and will generally -- even if these are successful -- enable the people to resist and triumph over them. STORY, CHIEF JUSTICE JOSEPH, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833
==============================================================================================================
Somehow we have gotten to the point where the federal government, the creature created by the "free and independent States" has become the master of both the State and We the People, giving some through its beneficence special privileges while taking away enumerated civil rights. How do we rein in this out of control monster?
Both of your attempts to comment were relegated to spam. Coincidence or just sloppy Gargle programming?
DeleteAnyhoo, I recovered the later comment.
In answer, maybe it's time to remind the denizens of the swamp who they work for. Might need to water that tree.
Solzhenitsyn is the real deal, and we really should read a great deal more of him.
ReplyDeleteI might commend to your attention the book Life Not by Lies by Rod Dreher. Based on the Solzhenitsyn's 1974 Essay of the same name, it discuss the nature of a totalitarian society as told through the story of those that lived through Communism in Europe (and how to survive it if you are under it). Dreher can be a bit wordy at times (so can I, to be fair) but I found it a good read.
Solzhenitsyn's original essay is here: https://www.solzhenitsyncenter.org/live-not-by-lies
From the essay (sorry for length):
"This is the way, then, the easiest and most accessible for us given our deep-seated organic cowardice, much easier than (it’s scary even to utter the words) civil disobedience à la Gandhi.
Our way must be: Never knowingly support lies! Having understood where the lies begin (and many see this line differently)—step back from that gangrenous edge! Let us not glue back the flaking scales of the Ideology, not gather back its crumbling bones, nor patch together its decomposing garb, and we will be amazed how swiftly and helplessly the lies will fall away, and that which is destined to be naked will be exposed as such to the world.
And thus, overcoming our timidity, let each man choose: Will he remain a witting servant of the lies (needless to say, not due to natural predisposition, but in order to provide a living for the family, to rear the children in the spirit of lies!), or has the time come for him to stand straight as an honest man, worthy of the respect of his children and contemporaries? And from that day onward he:
· Will not write, sign, nor publish in any way, a single line distorting, so far as he can see, the truth;
· Will not utter such a line in private or in public conversation, nor read it from a crib sheet, nor speak it in the role of educator, canvasser, teacher, actor;
· Will not in painting, sculpture, photograph, technology, or music depict, support, or broadcast a single false thought, a single distortion of the truth as he discerns it;
· Will not cite in writing or in speech a single “guiding” quote for gratification, insurance, for his success at work, unless he fully shares the cited thought and believes that it fits the context precisely;
· Will not be forced to a demonstration or a rally if it runs counter to his desire and his will; will not take up and raise a banner or slogan in which he does not fully believe;
· Will not raise a hand in vote for a proposal which he does not sincerely support; will not vote openly or in secret ballot for a candidate whom he deems dubious or unworthy;
· Will not be impelled to a meeting where a forced and distorted discussion is expected to take place;
· Will at once walk out from a session, meeting, lecture, play, or film as soon as he hears the speaker utter a lie, ideological drivel, or shameless propaganda;
· Will not subscribe to, nor buy in retail, a newspaper or journal that distorts or hides the underlying facts.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of the possible and necessary ways of evading lies. But he who begins to cleanse himself will, with a cleansed eye, easily discern yet other opportunities."
Sarge, it occurred to me I had actually reviewed the book: https://thefortyfive.blogspot.com/2021/09/book-review-live-not-by-lies.html
DeleteSolzhenitsyn was a brilliant man.
DeleteThat book is frightening and sobering. Considering buying it based on your review alone. The only thing holding me back is that I'm cognizant of what he's talking about, but I might buy it anyway. A very good book from the looks of it. Thanks for the link to your review.
DeleteAs I said, Dreher can run on a bit. But the interviews from individuals that have seen totalitarianism up close and personal are terrifying.
DeleteI read an excerpt, we don't want to go there.
DeleteIs today the extra day of 2024, or is it the 31st of December? Fuzz
ReplyDeleteIt's today, but I know where you're coming from. 😉
DeleteI find another of Solzhenitsyn's famous quotes rather sadly appropriate these days, especially with much of the statements coming from the current administration and its apparat:
ReplyDelete“We know that they are lying, they know that they are lying, they even know that we know they are lying, we also know that they know we know they are lying too, they of course know that we certainly know they know we know they are lying too as well, but they are still lying.
If there are no consequences for their lying, what's to stop them?
DeleteThat Beatles song just ran through my head when I read your response Sarge. It starts out "You say you want a ..."
DeleteThat's the consequence.
juvat
Well, you know
DeleteWe all want to change the world ...
I don't want to change the world...I just want my country back; not for myself so much but for my children and grandchildren. It wasn't a perfect country but it was a damn sight better than any other country - ever, and better than what we have now.
DeleteBoat Guy
Amen.
DeleteThe fight comes to my home, I WILL oblige.
ReplyDeleteRoger that.
Delete