STAND UP
“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.”
― H.L. Mencken, Prejudices: First Series
It is not yet time to slit throats but I believe we must hoist the black flag. This is certainly Mencken's most well-known quote. He also wrote, "The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out for himself, without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, and intolerable...”
Of course I am concerned about the health and well-being of my fellow humans. I am not alone, not an island, or under these circumstances, privileged with any sort of immunity. That said consistent behavior throughout my life may confer a robust physical immunity, and I am willing to make the mortal bet on that immunity. What I am not willing to do is blindly accept and follow the risk-management strategy being dictated to me and every other citizen — whether residents of the United States or not.
I spent my entire climbing career resisting attempts to "manage" my relationship to risk. In fact, I had to leave the U.S. in order to pursue the sense of freedom and personal autonomy I sought. Resisting that pressure became habit and I am unlikely to soften right now because it is time we examine the acts executed by people who may — possibly — be disguising larger motives while waving the "if one life is saved" flag. It is time to forecast the short and long-term consequences of these acts, and how they affect our behavior now. It is time to consider that life as we knew it is over and we gave it up because we were afraid that something we couldn't see might expose the negative consequences of a lifetime of poor choices and pharmaceutical life-support. That fear — our fear — easily blinds us to the authoritarian actions, which we would resist under normal circumstances, being taken by those whose desire is to control.
Politicians — so-called leaders — all over the world are declaring that they know what is best for us and doubling down on oppression, restricting inalienable human rights. The defense for such measures is always, "For the greater good," and you can read that any number of ways. But dare ask the question, "Whose good are you referring to?" and see what happens. Authority dislikes questions. But as a sovereign individual, I believe you are compelled to ask, and to keep asking. Especially if you wish to maintain said sovereignty.
My first question this morning was, "Which government jobs are essential?" and I was not satisfied by the answer, which apparently, is, "All of them. All bureaucrats and functionaries are indispensable to the smooth operation of the government, therefore the country." I am not against government, being governed, but I do refuse to accept anyone's definition regarding the essential nature of my work apart from my own. I shall decide whether my work, my job, my art — therefore my identity, my Self — is essential and I sure won't be taking your opinion into account.
My next question was, "Cui bono?" "To whom is it a benefit?" It is a fairly easy scent to track. If you allow what is important to you as an individual to steer the hunt, you will find different answers than I might but these are a few for me:
If being awarded federally set-aside State of Emergency funds is tied to classifying cause of death as Covid-19 then why would any medical establishment declare any other cause? And how do the misrepresented death statistics affect your behavior? Are you more ready to shelter in place, to shut your business, to spend yourself into economic ruin and then run to the State for assistance, which will surely come with strings attached? Or are you reassured that you are not part of the 3% or whatever the number is this week?
We say that we are in a Fistfight With Human Nature so the Snitches Get Rewards program instituted by the mayor of Los Angeles comes as no surprise. Bribing the frightened (and broke) population to do your policing is a tactic common to autocrats throughout history. When that is paired with the threat of cutting off power and water to businesses arbitrarily classified as non-essential but refuse to stop operations and the city looks a lot like how I imagine East Berlin to have been ruled prior to November 1989.
Autocrats and democratically-elected leaders alike are voting themselves new, sweeping powers to govern by threat of force and financial penalties, and in Alberta, Canada even gave themselves the ability to RETROACTIVELY apply any new law, "to the time when the public health emergency was declared."
And what happens when this situation improves, when the initial outbreak weakens and we figure out how to operate in a less hostile environment? Will government bless us with permission to begin living "freely" again? Will they allow businesses to open and operate how they had before March 2020? Or will those rights come with new regulatory clauses, overseen by even more "essential" government officials? I believe that they will have become accustomed to their new power, to acquiescent and obedient citizens who would do anything to regain their livelihood, their lives, and those "leaders" will never give up the ground they captured during the Global War On Virus(es). What do you think?
If we get into the habit of accepting every instance of infringement upon our freedom it will be difficult to recover that ground from the enemies of freedom later. Yes, I intentionally typed the word "enemies". Right now, leadership is infected with a sense of power that is colored by insecurity about their future health and wealth and position so they are trying to cover their asses. If we take them at their ever-changing word now we will lose the ability and the habit of asking the questions that will so dearly need asking later.
As I have written before, "It's time to WAKE THE FUCK UP." And more importantly, it is time to STAND UP.
This need not go according to their plan, or lack thereof.
Thinking for yourself right now is a revolutionary act. Acting in your best interests — and the interests of your close, loved ones — right now is Dissent. Yes, all selfish acts must be undertaken with respect for those who may be negatively — and positively — affected by those actions. But act we must because the longer the submission the greater the social inertia we must fight in the future will be.
Has your definition of the greater good always aligned with that of those who pretend to govern? If the answer is "no" then why are you voluntarily giving up your sovereignty to those "leaders" now? They have proven themselves ill-equipped for the job yet demand you to accept that you are even less able than they are.
If you're OK with that then please shelter in place. Continue reinforcing your addiction to the circuses, what little bread they permit, and hardwire the habit of doing as you are told. It's what you have wanted all along — for someone to tell you what to do so you don't have to think, and to promise a safety net beneath you. This behavior doesn't surprise me. It's OK. But do not proselytize. Do not try to convince others to bow their heads. Do not use your power to snitch against the free-thinkers whose actions force you to acknowledge the chains you voluntarily wrapped around your own wrists and ankles. And do not stand in their way.
Because it may be time to hoist a flag after all.
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The links below reference articles describing the political overreaching that should have us all in the streets.
