A Watershed Moment by Wulfenstar

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

When I was a child, I thought we were on the cusp of a great change, not only in our country, but in the world. I felt it looming on the horizon, around the corner. A great big something. It was going to be amazing, or terrible, or wonderful.

And things happened. Big things, like the fall of the Soviet Union, and the blinking bewilderment of no longer living in a Cold War environment with the constant looming threat of nuclear annhialation.

Little things that turned out to be big things, like the development of portable computing devices and telephones, and the growth of the internet into a phenomenon that touches the lives of the majority of Americans and people around the world.

Awful things, like our awakening to the reality of terrorism. Not as a foreign thing or a thing of small regional impact, but as a thing that touched all Americans, and caused us to touch much of the rest of the world. (Not necessarily gently.) A return to the fear and hatred that flavored the Cold War.

The one thing I've learned about the great changes in my life is that even though I felt that 'something' was about to happen, I never necessarily understood what it was or exactly when it would be. Even as it started to occur, I didn't necessarily understand what its full import would be.

If I had to bet about the next great change in this country or the world, there's only one bet I'd feel safe making: Neither of us knows what it's going to be.

--Anthony

Due to the use of Naomi 3.3.2 Beta web filtering, the following people may need to private-message me if they wish to contact me: Auraptor, Kaneman, Piratenews. I apologize for the inconvenience.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 8:26 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

"Neither of us knows what it's going to be."

Then its up to us to make sure that its a change for the better.

"Change the world... FOR THE BETTER."

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Friday, July 30, 2010 8:34 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

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Friday, July 30, 2010 8:47 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Oh...sigh...what a shame you had to add that video (or picture, whichever). Fantasy again.

Buto the pertinent point, my life has been somewhat like Anthony's; I grew up in a time when it seemed like momentous things were going to happen, and some did. But others just got worse steadily, and other bad things came along, so you never know what's coming or how it will impact the country or ourselves as individuals.

I think you comfort yourself that some kind of big change is coming that will solve our problems. The one thing I can tell you is that we'll NEVER go back to the "bedrock" you believe we were founded on...it wasn't as good as you think. It incorporated slavery, violence, unfairness, no rights for women, politics which, on a smaller scale, were different but no better than what we have now.

What you don't get is that there WAS no bedrock. It was an experiment, one whose end results aren't known, one which keeps being changed, added to, subtracted from, and PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT now. If you were to look up all the actual laws back then, you'd get an eye opener, and it wouldn't be a pleasant one.

History isn't pretty; previous times weren't wonderful; every era has it's difficulties to deal with and evey era always will. They'll be different difficulties as a society evolves, but they'll always be there, the society will always evolve, it won't go backwards because backwards was WORSE in its way.

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off

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Friday, July 30, 2010 8:49 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

You all really should start listening, or watching the videos I post.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 9:06 AM

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello Wulf,

Try saying something. It's not always convenient timewise or bandwidth wise, etc. to watch your videos. If you have something to say, I'd absorb it better if you took advantage of the text features of this site and put it into precise words that convey your precise meaning and can be absorbed without listening to a video or looking at a graphic.

--Anthony

Due to the use of Naomi 3.3.2 Beta web filtering, the following people may need to private-message me if they wish to contact me: Auraptor, Kaneman, Piratenews. I apologize for the inconvenience.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 9:14 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Are you kidding? I used to; once I realized they were nothing but your hero-and-villain fantasies all the time, I stopped wasting MY time. Why on EARTH would I go back to watching them?? At least other people put up stuff which has to do with the real world...I want to be entertained, I'll pull out a video I know will do so and watch it in my recliner.

Mike's right; you got something to say, SAY it, don't put up silly videos which only you find important. And only you find them important because they reflect the WulfWorld where heroes abound and fix everything.

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off

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Friday, July 30, 2010 9:28 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

Well Nix,

I apologize that there was noone there when you needed it. We try to be everywhere but just cant always be.

I feel really bad about that. I try to get people to hold the line for as long as they can.

But the truth is, we are not everywhere, all the time. Its sometimes up to normal people to stand up and protect theselves and others.

However, I know some people can't do that. They are weak, slow, etc. And, in the worst cases, they wait for someone to come along and save them. That doesn't always happen.

There is only so many places we can be at one time. Much of the time, its up to simple people to TRY.

But again. I apologize for not being there for you when it was needed. I only hope you can move past that.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 9:34 AM

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

What a very strange series of statements. Who is 'we'? Are you not a normal person? Or merely not a simple person? In either case, you seem to be categorizing yourself and the rest of 'we' as superior to the 'normal' people.

--Anthony

Due to the use of Naomi 3.3.2 Beta web filtering, the following people may need to private-message me if they wish to contact me: Auraptor, Kaneman, Piratenews. I apologize for the inconvenience.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 9:38 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

Nope. Not doing that at all.

Just proposing the idea that there may be a difference between people who see a fire and either:

A. Call 911

or

B. Call 911 and THEN, run inside to do what good they can.

People who want to do the right thing, and people who actually TRY. Its a subtle differeence.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 9:41 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

It's even stranger in that it doesn't relate to anything I posted! I explained why I don't watch his silly videos, and he coems back that "they" can't "be there"??? Wha?
Prtrait of Wulf:

Can anyone figure out (and tell me) what the hell he was ranting about?

Oops, I see he posted before mine went up--but it STILL has nothing to do with my post. I told him I don't waste time watching his silly fantasy videos...what does that have to do with running into a fire? Weird....

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off

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Friday, July 30, 2010 9:45 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

Nix,

Yep. Im crazy. Silly me.

Bad wiring, poor genetics... something.

Its cool tho.

I understand why you feel the way you do. And stand where you do.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 10:02 AM

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Quote:

Nope. Not doing that at all.

Just proposing the idea that there may be a difference between people who see a fire and either:

A. Call 911

or

B. Call 911 and THEN, run inside to do what good they can.

People who want to do the right thing, and people who actually TRY. Its a subtle differeence.

Hello Wulf,

Listen to me very carefully, because this is dangerous ground upon which you tread. Using terms like 'we' and contrasting it against 'normal' and 'simple' people who may be weak or slow (or whatever is going on in your head.) Suggesting that the 'simple' people may need to 'try' and hold 'the line' until you get there.

Then, to propose the idea that there is a difference between A and B, as though there is some inherent quality A has that B lacks. Your 'subtle difference' which you speak about, using terms of superiority that fail to meet the criteria of 'subtle' at all.

The essential point of the hero isn't that there's an US and a THEM. It isn't that A and B have a 'subtle difference.' It isn't about WE heroes looking after the 'simple' and 'normal' people. Every word you speak undermines the very purpose of the hero, and eats away at any goodness you may have just as some mythical cursed magical totem might eat away at someone's soul.

The essential point of the hero is that ANYONE can be good, ANYONE can help, and NO ONE is better than anyone else. The point of the hero is that there isn't any difference at all between A and B. The reason for an ordinary, frail human being to stand up and be seen to help isn't to put on a show of how wonderful and superior they are. It's to point out that any fool can step up.

If you paid more attention, Wulf, you'd notice the heroes around you every day. The ones absent chest-thumping or catchy slogans or cool uniforms and equipment. You'd notice that Niki is a hero, for one. You'd notice that there are as many ways to help the world as there are people in it, and not all of them involve leaping into flames.

Your sense of heroism constantly on display is shallow and self-important. "Heroes" like you scare me. The best thing that can ever happen to the community of heroes is for people like yourself to stop saying rediculous nonsense like "we are not everywhere, all the time. Its sometimes up to normal people to stand up and protect theselves and others."

We. We is all of us, Wulf. I implore you to never separate yourself this way from the people you purport to serve. By doing so, you dishonor them all and defame yourself. The number one Foe any Hero needs to confront is himself. His own Frailty and Ego. No different from any normal, simple, ordinary human being. Because that's what you are, Wulf. Normal. That's what we all are.

--Anthony

Due to the use of Naomi 3.3.2 Beta web filtering, the following people may need to private-message me if they wish to contact me: Auraptor, Kaneman, Piratenews. I apologize for the inconvenience.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 10:12 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Wulf, you don't understand a single thing, sadly. If it doesn't fit your criteria, you try to pretend you're 'better than', but your efforts at superiority fail miserably every time.

Anthony gave you excellent advice and answered ou far better than I ever could (and with far more compassion than I). I only wish you were capable of reading what he said and understanding it. Sadly, I don't think your'e capable of either.

Thank you Anthony. Again, tho', I'm no "hero"--what I do I do as much for myself as anything else. AND I haven't even done it; who knows, if the problem really IS overblown, maybe I'll never get to go (which is a conundrum; I'd like it to be that way, but I'd hate to miss the chance to go...see? No hero there!).

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off

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Friday, July 30, 2010 10:12 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

Yeah, Ant, I understand what you are saying... but Nix gets under my skin.

Anyways.

VIDEOS!

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Friday, July 30, 2010 10:37 AM

STORYMARK

I think it's more of a cyclical thing. I'm not hearing anything from the teabaggers I didn't hear from the 90's patriot movement.

And the same thing will probably happen again - they'll elect some good ol' boys to office that say what they wanna hear, then when office do the same damned things as every other politician, and the teabaggers will think they accomplished something.

It's just a circle jerk.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Friday, July 30, 2010 10:41 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

Story,

You have to stop paying attention to the so called "teachers" you have. They are as desperate as a man seeking water in the desert.

Its cool tho. You can actually free your mind. You just have to start thinking outside of the box you've allowed yourself to be put in.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 11:08 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Wulf, your attempts at self-righteousness fall flat, I keep telling you.

Story's right on target; these groups spring up pretty regularly, people who are disenfranchised, disillusioned by our government, and strike out on their own. Unfortunately, eventually the system corrupts them or those they get in office, rolls over them and keeps on going. Until another group shows up...

I wish you could face reality and see that the world isn't full of dramas that change everything to be the way you think it should be; it's much more complex than that, we keep trying to tell you. You're the one in the box, and dissing Story and pretending you're better or wiser than her doesn't change reality.

I'm sure I get under your skin. I keep telling you truths and reminding you that you live in a fantasy world. I'm sure that makes it tough, and none of us will probably get through to you, but we keep trying nonetheless.

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off

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Friday, July 30, 2010 11:18 AM

KWICKO

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

Quote:
Originally posted by Wulfenstar:
Story,

You have to stop paying attention to the so called "teachers" you have. They are as desperate as a man seeking water in the desert.

And you have to stop paying attention to your tiny little band of dime-store heroes. They're warping your view of what's really going on in the world, and in your own country.

Quote:

Its cool tho. You can actually free your mind. You just have to start thinking outside of the box you've allowed yourself to be put in.

And you have to start thinking outside of that teabag you've wrapped yourself in.

AURaptor's Greatest Hits:

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 20:32 To AnthonyT:
Go fuck yourself.
On this matter, make no mistake. I want you to go fuck yourself long and hard, as well as anyone who agrees with you. I got no use for you.

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 18:26 To President Obama:
Mr. President, you're a god damn, mother fucking liar.
Fuck you, you cock sucking community activist piece of shit.
... go fuck yourself, Mr. President.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 11:23 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Mmmm, good point Mike. A tea bag is a LOT smaller than a box...more confining, too. Must be uncomfortable; think that's why he's so absorbed by fictional heroes?

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off

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Friday, July 30, 2010 11:37 AM

KWICKO

By the way, Wulfie, what is it about Niki that gets under your skin?

And you realize that by admitting that, you've just handed her a bit of a victory of sorts, right? Even though she isn't interested in "winning teh interwebs" (Yes, I spelled "the" incorrectly on purpose; it's part of the running joke about such things), you've just let everyone know that patience and reason are things you really can't deal well with.

AURaptor's Greatest Hits:

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 20:32 To AnthonyT:
Go fuck yourself.
On this matter, make no mistake. I want you to go fuck yourself long and hard, as well as anyone who agrees with you. I got no use for you.

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 18:26 To President Obama:
Mr. President, you're a god damn, mother fucking liar.
Fuck you, you cock sucking community activist piece of shit.
... go fuck yourself, Mr. President.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 11:44 AM

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

Well Kwick,

She gets under my skin because she can be so much better than she is.

You too, btw.

Its just a shame that you guys fail so hard and never even see it.

But, don't worry, there are people out ther rooting for you.

You guys can break the mental blocks you have.

Not saying that you should ever believe as I do (which is unfair to you), just that you can learn to THINK.

I'm sure you will come back with ("Oh I think... or, I think you are an asshole")

But thats ok too.

You just need to learn to think past what you've been taught. There are worlds out there that you can explore.

Hell, I don't really care if you agree with me all the time, just that you THINK, and have thoughts all your own.

Now I know your first response is to snark, and thats ok. Doesn't change things.

:)

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Friday, July 30, 2010 11:44 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

No victory at all, Mike. I know why I irk him; I wish I didn't, I wish he could hera others rather than be pissed at me. Or else leave me alone, which he seems incapable of doing--I have no problem if he'd make POINTS or add something to the discussion, but his continual snarking just gets tiresom.

There's nothing to be "won" by someone taking up time just snarking and making pointless comments. It's is game and I shouldn't pay him any attention. I get used to responding to people and forget not to respond to Wulf. Gotta stop doing that...there are SO many better uses for my time!

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off

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Friday, July 30, 2010 11:48 AM

Gettin' old, but still a hippie at heart...

Wulf,

Hippie Operative Nikovich Nikita Nicovna Talibani,
Contracted Agent of Veritas Oilspillus, code name “Nike”,
signing off

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Friday, July 30, 2010 11:54 AM

KWICKO

Quote:
Originally posted by Wulfenstar:
Well Kwick,

She gets under my skin because she can be so much better than she is.

You too, btw.

Its just a shame that you guys fail so hard and never even see it.

But, don't worry, there are people out ther rooting for you.

You guys can break the mental blocks you have.

Not saying that you should ever believe as I do (which is unfair to you), just that you can learn to THINK.

I'm sure you will come back with ("Oh I think... or, I think you are an asshole")

But thats ok too.

You just need to learn to think past what you've been taught. There are worlds out there that you can explore.

Hell, I don't really care if you agree with me all the time, just that you THINK, and have thoughts all your own.

Now I know your first response is to snark, and thats ok. Doesn't change things.

:)

So why can't you learn to think past what YOU have been taught? You really are in a tiny little box, Wulf - it's called a TV. You're locked in there, thinking that everything you've ever seen in that tiny box is real, that you are REAL, that your hero fantasies are REAL.

Did you ever consider that maybe WE think that YOU could be so much more than you are, if only you would learn to think?

I've seen glimpses of humanity in you, instants where you start to peer over the walls you've built up so carefully for so long. But you always revert to your bunker mentality, hunkering down for some imagined siege that never comes. And while you were cowering in fear of the unknown, we were out there enjoying life.

AURaptor's Greatest Hits:

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 20:32 To AnthonyT:
Go fuck yourself.
On this matter, make no mistake. I want you to go fuck yourself long and hard, as well as anyone who agrees with you. I got no use for you.

Friday, May 28, 2010 - 18:26 To President Obama:
Mr. President, you're a god damn, mother fucking liar.
Fuck you, you cock sucking community activist piece of shit.
... go fuck yourself, Mr. President.

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Friday, July 30, 2010 12:17 PM

PEACEKEEPER

Keeping order in every verse

I'm sorry, I'm a little late in this thread, but by what I have read, does Wulf have a girlfriend called Lucy,and does she work as a stewardess on an airplane while dressed in diamonds!!!!!.And as for being confined to his teabag, I would suggest that it should be squeezed hard to get the flavour out!!!

Peacekeeper---keeping order in every verse!!!

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Friday, July 30, 2010 2:35 PM