Unrelated Minutiae

Just a couple of things. Yes, The Independent Voice has been hiding under a rock.

Can't wait until the red states take over our culture? Don't count on it, read this you "moral majority" wannabee: Liberals Always Win Long live imperfection and reality!
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I made the mistake of reading an article about a serial killer that is responsible for the deaths of at least 8 people in Wichita, Kansas. Apparently this nut job (crazy as a conservative but as smart as a liberal) goes by the name BTK, which stands for "Bind, Torture and Kill". Charming. I hope he's not named after his father.

The thing that intriqued me was the availability of general and not so general information about the serial killer (About BTK). Even if some of it is true, one would think that it would be easy to find this guy. Hell the guy left his semen all over most of the crime scenes, the victims were killed in a rather small geographic area, there are direct ties to Wichita State University and Wichita has a total population of a little over a half million.

BTK broke on the scene with a massacre of most of a family in Wichita. He killed 2 little kids and their parents, leaving the remaining young children to find their bodies when they got home from school. This guy makes Hannibal Lecter look like a rookie madman.

Apparently this case has a fairly large following. The Independent Voice has done some research on the case and has submitted some observations to the Wichita cold case police. I'll report back to you if anything comes of it.

For more information take a look at this: BTK Background On Court TV
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BTW- The Independent Voice has been banging his head against the wall trying to realize what makes you conservatives so unwilling to see what you don't want to see. They HATE our policies not our freedom and WE should also hate our policies!!! Now the Defense Science Board (within the US Defense Department) has released a report saying just that.

Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself: No, They Really Hate Our Policies!

Just some more terrorists holding signs and protesting, right? Maybe they're just everyday people living in Sydney, Australia.

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!

Topic: State Of The Union
Do you wanna know the truth?

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!

Here's the truth; while you're being placated by a sanctimonious figure head that appeals to your precious "values", your government is raping for corporate interest and profit. Unfortunately, it takes a Brit to accurately point it out and to put it into a neat little video that will appeal to your need for sensationalism.

WARNING: The party of those who believe that government shouldn't be trusted will have the hardest time believing any of this because it will contradict their strong faith in our government.

Ironic, isn't it?

YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! (Have patience).

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In the anti-war classic, War is a Racket, the author, while discussing the cause of war states: "...A few profit, and the many pay. But there is a way to stop it. You can't end it by disarmament conferences. You can't eliminate it by peace parleys at Geneva. Well-meaning but impractical groups can't wipe it out by resolutions. It can be smashed effectively only by taking the profit out of war...". Those words were written by USMC General Smedley Butler in 1935.

General Butler said the following in a speech he gave in 1933:

"War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.

I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.

I wouldn't go to war again as I have done to protect some lousy investment of the bankers. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights. War for any other reason is simply a racket.

There isn't a trick in the racketeering bag that the military gang is blind to. It has its "finger men" to point out enemies, its "muscle men" to destroy enemies, its "brain men" to plan war preparations, and a "Big Boss" Super-Nationalistic-Capitalism.

It may seem odd for me, a military man to adopt such a comparison. Truthfulness compels me to. I spent thirty- three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country's most agile military force, the Marine Corps. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle- man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism.

I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all the members of the military profession, I never had a thought of my own until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.

I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua for the international banking house of Brown Brothers in 1909-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for American sugar interests in 1916. In China I helped to see to it that Standard Oil went its way unmolested.

During those years, I had, as the boys in the back room would say, a swell racket. Looking back on it, I feel that I could have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents."

DON'T YOU SEE THAT NONE OF THIS IS A NEW IDEA?!

I Want To Be A Republican

Topic: Retort
I Want To Be A Republican.

I want fiscal responsibility to be an important part of American politics. I want small government that focuses on protecting and encourages growth for all citizens. I want to be a Republican.

When Abraham Lincoln saw the hypocrisy of a nation who's founding principles included the equality of all men he decided to stand up for what we all should believe in. I want to be a Repulican.

When Richard Nixon saw the evil of fighting an un-winnable ideology war and that the means did not justify the ends, he ran as an anti-war candidate. I want to be a Republican.

Where is the Republican who will stand up against the evil war that is taking place in Iraq right now? Where is the Republican who will say that this war is a lie based upon a lie? There weren't any terrorists with WMD willing to act against the U.S. in Iraq. There ARE in other countries but not Iraq. What happened to Republican prudence? Needless violence is the reason why I can't be a Republican.

I am an American Buddhist and a recovering catholic and there is no way I can support any politician who condones capital punishment. Many old testament Christians, who like to forget about the legacy and teachings of Jesus Christ, believe that capital punishment is justified in the Bible. The irony is that Jesus Christ was capitally punished to death by the Romans and the Jews. Jesus specifically and numerously spoke against capital punishment and only the blind Christians like Pat Robertson forget it. Capital punishment kills innocent and usually poor black and white people. It only causes more problems for society to deal with: the dead father, mother, son, brother, and friend. I can't be a Republican.

Many American Christians find it easy to justify war. The act of war is the closest humans can come to evil and Satan himself. War only begets more and more violence and it has never solved any problems, it has only created more. Yet American Christians still think war in Iraq is the right thing to do mostly because they don't fully understand who they've sent our poor off to fight. War destroys human relationship and penalizes the poor and the hungry on both sides. The war in Iraq has not solved one problem it has only created 101,200 more problems for the father and mother, brother and sister, friend and family member of those who have been killed, injured and maimed. I can't be a Republican.

George W. Bush's win in 2004 was not the beginning of the end for Democrats, it was the beginning of the end for Republicans. George W. Bush won by the smallest majority of any President in the history of the United States. That is not a mandate and it is not indicative of the need by Democrats to radically alter their image so that it appears like they represent values. The democratic party has always been the party of values and principle.

Why won't those in the Republican party understand that the battle that is taking place today is one against extremism and fundamentalism and you don't have to be a Muslim to be guilty of it.

I want fiscal responsibility. I want equality for all men. I want prudence and I want peace. I want to be a Republican.

"My concern is not whether God is on our side, but whether we are on God's side."

Thanksgiving Day Origins

Topic: Retort
I tell you those ding-dongs over at conservative central really have their head up their butts this year. Along with liberals being responsible for all that is bad in the world, apparently Mr. Rush "Dipstick" Limbaugh is "tutoring" his flock of know-nothings on the history of Thanksgiving, and more specifically the Godly origins of the holiday as handed down by the apostle George Washington.

I think it's stuff like this that really makes conservatives dangerous; they possess just enough information about a subject to actually sound like they know what they're talking about. I just have to wonder if their afflication is treatable or is it something that's congenital that makes them see only what they want to see. Anyway, here is the true history of Thanksgiving in our country and "like" thanksgiving festivals from around the world and throughout time.

The History of Thanksgiving and its Celebrations

Throughout history mankind has celebrated the bountiful harvest with thanksgiving ceremonies.
Before the establishment of formal religions many ancient farmers believed that their crops contained spirits which caused the crops to grow and die. Many believed that these spirits would be released when the crops were harvested and they had to be destroyed or they would take revenge on the farmers who harvested them. Some of the harvest festivals celebrated the defeat of these spirits.

Harvest festivals and thanksgiving celebrations were held by the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Hebrews, the Chinese, and the Egyptians.


The Greeks

The ancient Greeks worshipped many gods and goddesses. Their goddess of corn (actually all grains) was Demeter who was honored at the festival of Thesmosphoria held each autumn.

On the first day of the festival married women (possibility connecting childbearing and the raising of crops) would build leafy shelters and furnish them with couches made with plants. On the second day they fasted. On the third day a feast was held and offerings to the goddess Demeter were made - gifts of seed corn, cakes, fruit, and pigs. It was hoped that Demeter's gratitude would grant them a good harvest.


The Romans

The Romans also celebrated a harvest festival called Cerelia, which honored Ceres their goddess of corn (from which the word cereal comes). The festival was held each year on October 4th and offerings of the first fruits of the harvest and pigs were offered to Ceres. Their celebration included music, parades, games and sports and a thanksgiving feast.


The Chinese

The ancient Chinese celebrated their harvest festival, Chung Ch'ui, with the full moon that fell on the 15th day of the 8th month. This day was considered the birthday of the moon and special "moon cakes", round and yellow like the moon, would be baked. Each cake was stamped with the picture of a rabbit - as it was a rabbit, not a man, which the Chinese saw on the face of the moon.

The families ate a thanksgiving meal and feasted on roasted pig, harvested fruits and the "moon cakes". It was believed that during the 3 day festival flowers would fall from the moon and those who saw them would be rewarded with good fortune.

According to legend Chung Ch'ui also gave thanks for another special occasion. China had been conquered by enemy armies who took control of the Chinese homes and food. The Chinese found themselves homeless and with no food. Many staved. In order to free themselves they decided to attack the invaders.

The women baked special moon cakes which were distributed to every family. In each cake was a secret message which contained the time for the attack. When the time came the invaders were surprised and easily defeated. Every year moon cakes are eaten in memory of this victory.


The Hebrews

Jewish families also celebrate a harvest festival called Sukkoth. Taking place each autumn, Sukkoth has been celebrated for over 3000 years.

Sukkoth is know by 2 names - Hag ha Succot - the Feast of the Tabernacles and Hag ha Asif - the Feast of Ingathering. Sukkoth begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Tishri, 5 days after Yom Kippur the most solemn day of the Jewish year.

Sukkoth is named for the huts (succots) that Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert for 40 years before they reached the Promised Land. These huts were made of branches and were easy to assemble, take apart, and carry as the Israelites wandered through the desert.

When celebrating Sukkoth, which lasts for 8 days, the Jewish people build small huts of branches which recall the tabernacles of their ancestors. These huts are constructed as temporary shelters, as the branches are not driven into the ground and the roof is covered with foliage which is spaced to let the light in. Inside the huts are hung fruits and vegetables, including apples, grapes, corn, and pomegranates. On the first 2 nights of Sukkoth the families eat their meals in the huts under the evening sky.


The Egyptians

The ancient Egyptians celebrated their harvest festival in honor of Min, their god of vegetation and fertility. The festival was held in the springtime, the Egyptian's harvest season.

The festival of Min featured a parade in which the Pharaoh took part. After the parade a great feast was held. Music, dancing, and sports were also part of the celebration.

When the Egyptian farmers harvested their corn, they wept and pretended to be grief-stricken. This was to deceive the spirit which they believed lived in the corn. They feared the spirit would become angry when the farmers cut down the corn where it lived.


The United States

In 1621, after a hard and devastating first year in the New World the Pilgrim's fall harvest was very successful and plentiful. There was corn, fruits, vegetables, along with fish which was packed in salt, and meat that was smoke cured over fires. They found they had enough food to put away for the winter.

The Pilgrims had beaten the odds. They built homes in the wilderness, they raised enough crops to keep them alive during the long coming winter, and they were at peace with their Indian neighbors. Their Governor, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving that was to be shared by all the colonists and the neighboring Native American Indians.

The custom of an annually celebrated thanksgiving, held after the harvest, continued through the years. During the American Revolution (late 1770's) a day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress.

In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom. By the middle of the 19th century many other states also celebrated a Thanksgiving Day. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a national day of thanksgiving. Since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, usually designating the fourth Thursday of each November as the holiday.


Canada

Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Observance of the day began in 1879.

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How thanksgiving was Declared a National Holiday in the United States:


* Several people wanted to have an official day of thanksgiving, including George Washington, who proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789.

* Several people did not want it including President Thomas Jefferson (After Washington).

* Sarah J. Hale, a magazine editor, urged President Lincoln to reinstate Thanksgiving Day.

* In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

* Every President since Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day. But in 1939, 1940, and 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Thanksgiving the third Thursday in November to lengthen the holiday shopping season. This upset people.

**It was not until 1941, that congress declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday. It was declared to be the fourth Thursday in November.**

It's not so much that Limbaugh is a mediocre mind who doesn't understand that the origins of thanskgiving are actually pagan in nature, it's that he WANTS thanksgiving to be a religious holiday to divide "liberals", A.K.A. the godless and the soul-less, from the conservatives, who are inherently good people because of what they believe. Yeah, I think that falls in line with what Jesus Christ taught.

It's Different When We Do It!

Topic: State Of The Union
I was going to repost the response to the article below but I found a more comprehensive copy of it here (Sorry Kev!):

Project For The Old American Century

Check out this lovely Keith Olberman report on our voting process:

Don't Let Every Vote Count

Kerry's Not Giving Up....

Topic: State Of The Union
Nor should you. Help John Kerry restore this fascism to a democracy. Sign his "Every Child Protected" pledge today and forward it to your family, friends, and neighbors. Maybe amidst the world burning down we can do some good while Bush fans the flames.

Take a look: Every Child Protected

P.S. Democracy isn't dead just yet!

Hypocrites, All Of Ya!

Topic: Personal
Warning: The following may not be suitable for children under 21 years of age.

Now that we have that FCC bullshit out of the way, let the rant begin. I have a problem with a bunch of neanderthal like men and women, sitting down with their children to watch an inherently violent sport complain about the "indecency" they witnessed in a commercial. And if you don't recognize football as being a neanderthal sport that's violent, all I have to say is you do not deserve the brain god forgot to give you. I've played football. I've injured many guys playing football. I've been hurt. I've had my fingers and probably my ribs broken. I don't know how many knee sprains I've had that required x-rays to be taken. And god knows how many bruises and lacerations I've had.

One of my favorite football stories includes an incident where during practice my best friend's finger jammed itself into my eye socket causing my eye to get "stuck" looking up into my head while the other one was looking straight ahead.

But I was never going to be big enough to play in the NFL. I would never have to go through a college practice and blow my knee out, ending my football possibilities and most likely ending the scholarship that got me to the school in the first place. I would never have the oppurtunity to be like Joe Thiesman and have my leg bone rip through my skin, ending my career. I would never have the oppurtunity to have my neck broken like Dennis Byrd. And the names of people with severe or career ending injuries is almost endless: Chucky Mullins, Mike Utley, Drew Hixon, Curtis Williams, Scot Brantley, Darrell Jackson, Darryl Stingley, Marc Buoniconti, etc., etc., etc. In fact, there are 425,000 accidents yearly by just the teenagers playing football. Some years almost half of those injuries are brain related.

So you sit down with your child to watch this inherently violent and dangerous game and you bark when a woman drops her towel in a commercial? Where are your damn priorties? You have no problem with teaching your children that violence is the way to success but scream when there are some "adult" themes presented to you in a 30-second commercial.

Couple this with the fact that your kids, if they are old enough to use a computer, have probably already seen women doing things you never even thought were possible. Don't even get me started on the number of fictional or actual visual depictions of death and dismemberment your child hears about or sees by the time they're 10 years old. Do you have any idea what kind of video games your kids are playing? Do you know what kind of movies your kids are watching? Do you know that there's a good chance that your pre-teen isn't a virgin, and I don't mean in the Clintonian sense of what is "is"?

My point is simple. Most people who complain about this type of stuff don't have a fucking clue. Your life's a mess and you don't even know it. Your priorties are wacked. And you, yes YOU are the problem with this world.

I have just one question to ask you, do you get more offended when I used the word "fucking" or do you have a problem with the content of what I have to say?

Think about that for a while.

P.S. I'm not done with you yet!

Love It? Then Leave It...

Topic: Satire
This is for all you conservatives out there: if you love America, then leave it, go to Canada, and find out what true liberal policies can do when implemented in a country (and incidentally what the founding ideals of this country were <--- notice the "were") and then come back and put this country on the "right" course.

Now I know what your saying, you nationalistic, country-ego-maniac, that thinks the good ole' US of A is the best country in the world because we spend $450 billion dollars a year on a military that lost to 3, 3rd world countries. What makes this country great is the values and ideals that it was founded upon and nowhere in those founding documents does it say that we should be "nation building", a modern day word for imperialism. Nor did it say anything about codeifying one's religious beliefs into law. And it does specifically allow all groups and individuals equal protection and rights under the law.

After the closest won election by any incumbent in the history of our country, there is much debate over what is wrong with the Democratic party. I'll tell you what the problem is: the Democrats haven't failed because they've gone too far left they've failed because they haven't gone far enough. When you look at the political spectrum on the left you have liberals, on the right you have conservatives, and then there is everybody in between. Most people forget that if you go to the extreme on the left you get socialism, which is defined as:

A theory or system of social reform which contemplates a complete reconstruction of society, with a more just and equitable distribution of property and labor.

On the right extreme you get fascism, which is defined as:

A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

So ask yourself, would you rather a government that was either fascists or socialist, or leaned one way or the other. I don't know about you but the answer is pretty obvious to me. I would rather pay higher taxes that go to build-up people instead of building bombs that terrorize people from other countries with the imposed will of our minority.

I have news for those of you that consider yourself a conservative, (you're probably a neo-conservative but that's another story), your philospy is contradictory to what this country was founded upon. So I say if you love it, leave it, go to Canada and come back.

Here's a taste of what you'll find over there:

High quality of life. Low crime rates. Progressive social policies. A strong economy.

There's a lot to love about Canada. Here are just some of the reasons why you might want to join us:

Medicare
Canada enjoys a publicly-funded health care system that guarantees all Canadians coverage for medically necessary services in a timely fashion no matter where they live in the country.

Foreign Policy
Canada treasures its reputation as a peacekeeper and provider of humanitarian aid around the world. As a strong supporter of multilateralism, Canada elected not to send troops to Iraq when the United Nations Security Council failed to pass a resolution to intervene with military force.

Environmental Policy
Canada has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 240 million metric tons a year by 2010. Canada has also undertaken the largest conservation agreement in the world by promising to protect approximately 600 million hectares of northern boreal forest which account for more than half of the country's land base. The western province of British Columbia in 2002 exceeded the UN biodiversity target by putting 13% of its land into protected parks.

Gay Rights
Canada is a world leader in recognizing rights for gays and lesbians. The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Same-sex common-law couples have the same rights, benefits and obligations as common-law heterosexual couples under Canadian law. Same-sex marriages are now legal in six provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan) and one territory (the Yukon). Same-sex couples are allowed to adopt children in four provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia).

Drug Policy
Canada was the first country to allow and regulate the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. A Senate Committee report released in 2002 recommended the legalization of marijuana; the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police both support the decriminalization of marijuana; and the federal government has committed to introducing a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Abortion Rights
Canada has no law restricting abortion, which is considered a medical procedure and is subject to medical regulations.

Gun Control
Canada prides itself as a country with relatively little violence that is committed to maintaining public safety. Under the Firearms Act, every firearm in the country must be registered and all Canadian gun owners must be licensed. It is illegal to lend a firearm to someone who does not have a valid Firearms License. Visitors to Canada are also subject to the Firearms Act. They must apply for a temporary firearms license and declare any firearms they bring into the country.

Cultural Diversity
Unlike the "melting pot" concept of the United States where cultural heritage is always secondary to the larger American identity, Canada considers its culture a colourful mosaic, where everyone's heritage is a vibrant component to be celebrated and cherished. Secure and comfortable in our diversity, multiculturalism has become a cornerstone of the Canadian identity. In fact, the United Nations has named Toronto, Canada's largest city, the most multicultural city in the world. Officially a bilingual country, Canadians have the right to federal government services in both English and French.

NO Capital Punishment
Canada abolished capital punishment in 1976 after a parliamentary free vote. By contrast, the death penalty is a sentencing option in the United States, both federally and in 38 states. (Amnesty International considers the death penalty a human rights violation.)

NO Federal Deficit
Canada is the only G7 country to run seven consecutive surplus budgets. It has not run a federal deficit since 1996-97. The United States deficit is expected to reach $422 billion in 2004.

Sounds a lot like a country that values justice and an equitable distribution of property and labor and not a whole hell of a lot like the direction that this country is taking. You can read more about moving to Canada by following this link Canadian Alternative.

P.S. Incidentally Canadian Alternative formed after the election, due to tremendous demand.

P.P.S. All you neo-cons probably won't make it into Canada, in fact, this is the only country that will accept having somebody like you living in it, so I ask you to please stay in those central states and away from the coasts. Thank You.

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And now a message from our beloved President to all the American people and the world:

Michael Scheuer

Go To The Source
Topic: Misc.
If you'd like to understand the so-called "war on terrorism" better, watch 60 Minutes tonight at 7:00 EST. Michael Scheuer, former head of the CIA's anti-bin Laden unit and author of "Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror" and "Through Our Enemies' Eyes: Osama Bin Laden, Radical Islam & the Future of America" will explain why the leadership of our country has either been lying to us about the motivations of our sworn enemy or they just don't understand, an even scarier proposition.

This guy is the foremost authority on the subject of Bin Laden and radical Islam and has not been taken seriously by this administation. He is going to say things that challenge conventional "wisdom". He's probably going to say things that challenge your beliefs about terrorism and terrorist. Listen to him. Respect what he has to say. He's understanding of the issues are right on the money, although some of his policy recommendations are too idealistic, he's still has a lot of good things to say.

Unfortunately with the incompetence that we are faced with in this administration and the American public's inability to wake up, it seems that only history will bear out his analysis.

You can read a preface to the show here: Michael Scheuer Finally Speaks: LISTEN!

You can also check out the wikipedia.org article created by The Independent Voice: Michael Scheuer

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And now a message from our beloved President to all the American people and the world:

Tumultuous Period

Topic: Satire
Let's play a little game of who said what, and why.

Who said:

"A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the mean time we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt ... If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are the stake."

Was it some liberal? ... Hum?

Maybe Michael Moore? Nah, too eloquent and sophisticated. Maybe Al Franken? Nah, Air America and radio doesn't allow for such long soliloquys.

Here's a hint: If you guessed a liberal you'd be correct. But which liberal? There's just so many of them.

George Washington did you say? No. Jesus? Nope. Moses? No. Nelson Mandela? Try again. Gandhi? Wrong. Martin Luther King Jr.? No. Jesse Jackson? Wrong again. John F. Kennedy? Nope. Roosevelt? No. Ben Franklin? Getting closer.

We could go all day like this, there's just so many of them now and throughout our great history. Hell, America itself was a liberal idea!

The answer is Thomas Jefferson. This was in a letter to John Taylor on June 4, 1798. But the real question is why would you even consider that this was a quote of a contemporary speaker?

Damn, I hope this didn't get you thinking.

The letter was in response to the creation of "The Sedition Act of 1798".(Below)

An Act in addition to the act, entitled "An act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States."

SECTION I Be it enacted . . ., That if any persons shall unlawfully combine or conspire together, with intent to oppose any measure or measures of the government of the United States, which are or shall be directed by proper authority, or to impede the operation of any law of the United States, or to intimidate or prevent any person holding a place or office in or under the government of the United States, from undertaking, performing or executing his trust or duty; and if any person or persons, with intent as aforesaid, shall counsel, advise or attempt to procure any insurrection, riot. unlawful assembly, or combination, whether such conspiracy, threatening, counsel, advice, or attempt shall have the proposed effect or not, he or they shall be deemed guilty of a high misdemeanor, and on conviction, before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by imprisonment during a term not less than six months nor exceeding five years; and further, at the discretion of the court may be holden to find sureties for his good behaviour in such sum, and for such time, as the said court may direct.

SECTION 2 That if any person shall write, print, utter. Or publish, or shall cause or procure to be written, printed, uttered or published, or shall knowingly and willingly assist or aid in writing, printing, uttering or publishing any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either house of the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United States, with intent to defame the said government, or either house of the said Congress, or the said President, or to bring them. or either of them, into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against them, or either or any of them, the hatred of the good people of the United States, or to excite any unlawful combinations therein, for opposing or resisting any law of the United States, or any act of the President of the United States, done in pursuance of any such law, or of the powers in him vested by the constitution of the United States, or to resist, oppose, or defeat any such law or act, or to aid, encourage or abet any hostile designs of any foreign nation against the United States, their people or government, then such person, being thereof convicted before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years.

SECTION 3 That if any person shall be prosecuted under this act, for the writing or publishing any libel aforesaid, it shall be lawful for the defendant, upon the trial of the cause, to give in evidence in his defence, the truth of the matter contained in the publication charged as a libel. And the jury who shall try the cause, shall have a right to determine the law and the fact, under the direction of the court, as in other cases.

SECTION 4 That this act shall continue to be in force until March 3, 1801, and no longer....

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And now a message from our beloved President to all the American people and the world: