tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post8502987602010169699..comments2023-06-15T09:13:45.467-04:00Comments on Liberty's Torch: NosegayFrancis W. Porrettohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05862584203772592282noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-33407459097827059302014-08-22T02:14:54.883-04:002014-08-22T02:14:54.883-04:00Well, I'm a jerk, but rather than talk about F...Well, I'm a jerk, but rather than talk about Fran's (wonderful) novels, I'm gonna comment on Why Now?<br /><br />1) EMP is not science fiction. Nor is any other scenario that shows how fragile our interconnected tech-food-economy is.<br /><br />2) Islam is not the religion of peace.<br /><br />3) WE may be brothers, but there are a lot of assholes out there. . . and I'm not that sure about you. If you don't believe your country's identity, culture and heritage are worth preserving, then I'm sure not gonna listen to you talking about border security.<br /><br />4) However, if you believe this country is wrong, you're free to leave anytime.<br /><br />5) This is a tough one: You have no rights. There is no God, no physical law, and certainly no government that can protect your supposed right to anything. You can - and often will - be killed if you stand up and proclaim a right. Or you might get a socialist, lying party to agree with you until they get your vote.<br /><br />The idea of "right" (absent might, but only partially) stems from a PHILOSOPHICAL and intellectual study of the laws of physics, human nature, society and even how people interface economically. There is no guarantee that you have a "right" to property, for example, if you are surrounded by brigands who don't share familial, cultural and social bonds with you.<br /><br />If someone sees you as "other," and their cultural or moral heritage is to regard you as inconsequential or just WRONG, then what retardant is there to raping your women, killing your men, enslaving your children and destroying or stealing your property?<br /><br />The idea of "right" comes from a deeper understanding of how people - with their natures, societies and economies - interact for the common good.<br /><br />In that context a right is a product of shared understanding of morals, survivability, human nature and nature itself.<br /><br />It is a matter of conscious deduction of truths into axioms. It is NOT a popular sentiment, desire or political slogan.<br /><br />I am pretty sure the Christan faith is more tolerant, giving and life-affirming than the Muslim faith.<br /><br />BUT I AM ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED THAT THE LOCKEAN AND EVEN ADAM "SMITHEAN" VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE IS MORE HUMANE, JUST AND "correct and predictive, absent brain-washing techniques" THAN MOST OTHER VIEWS AND *PARTICULARLY* THAT OF ISLAM.<br /><br />6) It follows, if you think race or any other cosmetic trumps fundamental ways people get along or trust each other, I think you've misread history, nature and human nature.<br /><br />Finally, you'll think I'm talking in circles if I invoke point 3) "a country's identity, culture and heritage," while at the same time (point 6) I deny that race should be a marker of a fundamental way people get along or trust each other.<br /><br />7) Race doesn't matter. Sex does. Intentions don't matter. Results do. Politics matter less than civilization. I'd rather make the mistake of keeping 10 nice illegal immigrants out than letting any in. I believe in law. If you don't like the one there is, change it, but don't let some authoritarian slick-talking amoral bastard (IMHO) choose which laws to enforce and which ones to change.<br /><br />WHY NOW? Because we forgot that stuff, weren't taught it and were protected from suffering the consequences of not adhering to it.<br /><br />As Reverend Wright said, "God DAMN America! The chickens will come home to roost."<br /><br />Tim Turnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-52261701180169962602014-08-22T01:30:09.605-04:002014-08-22T01:30:09.605-04:00Since Jerry Jeff Walker came from "Onteora&qu...Since Jerry Jeff Walker came from "Onteora", I'd love to see a short story involving Mr. Bojangles. Even if he turns out to be Edison's Dog, the Cat Who Walked Through Walls, or some similar creature. <br /><br />Along with most everyone else, I doubt there is anything you might write which I would not enjoy. More Spooner, more Onteora involving Christine, or whatever spirit moves you.Reg Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14099612693763932005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-42763558491350633912014-08-21T19:48:12.548-04:002014-08-21T19:48:12.548-04:00*cough* warm lands *cough*
Really though, anythin...*cough* warm lands *cough*<br /><br />Really though, anything you suggested would be worth reading. What strikes your fancy?pdwalkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05943525787137905313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-1473952658912429542014-08-21T10:42:13.429-04:002014-08-21T10:42:13.429-04:00I'd like to see a Spooner Federation prequel.....I'd like to see a Spooner Federation prequel...that is, some sort of narrative bridge between the Onteora canon and the backstory of the Spooner expedition as told in WAIH.<br /><br />But I'd hope you know that whatever part of the story decides to force its way out through your fingertips, I'll buy and love. :)lelnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08600824544185328505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6557458849091969678.post-52068053537154981542014-08-21T09:23:03.801-04:002014-08-21T09:23:03.801-04:00I would love another Spooner Federation story.
Bu...I would love another Spooner Federation story.<br /><br />But honestly, thanks for all of your writing, be it fiction or blog posts here. Drewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11410760001317154919noreply@blogger.com