Josh... are you Joshin' Me?
I was beginning to feel sorry for old Josh Wolf and his current journalistic plight, so I decided to learn more about him. One of the Google responses pointed me to a site called "43 thing", with which I am familiar. It is a place for people to post things they want to accomplish before they die. The specific website for the list provided by Josh Wolf from San Francisco is http://www.43things.com/person/insurgent. Since something on this website gives us an opportunity to go to Josh’s website, and it is THE Josh, then I can safely assume that “Insurgent” Josh is “soon to be thrown in the can Josh”.
Included on his list of things he wishes to accomplish are: Start a Revolution; Destroy Capitalism; Smash the State; Live in an Anarchist Community; Smash Capitalism and Global Domination; Tell President Bush he is an @#@# (my edit); and Democratize the Media. There are others, but you get the drift. Sorry, Josh but it's pretty clear to me you could probably rationalize withholding some really scary stuff based upon these stated goals, and if there is a question about it, I'd just as soon have somebody else take a gander. I don’t trust your judgment, Josh.
By the way, isn't it a little contradictory to claim protection under the first amendment while supporting and encouraging overthrow of the government that created it? I'd suggest you prepare to suffer for your cause Josh...even if it means being thrown in the slammer. We might all be safer.
Sally Musemeche
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"By the way, isn't it a little contradictory to claim protection under the first amendment while supporting and encouraging overthrow of the government that created it?"
Not according to the constitution it isn't. Fomenting violence, yes - but the freedom to philosophically express dissatisfaction with the government is the EXACT reason that there is protection for free speech in the First Amendment. King George tried to tell Thomas Paine that his dissent was treasonous; Paine wisely replied with "Common Sense".
By the way (to borrow a phrase), Thomas Jefferson opined that a healty society should have a revolution every fifty years or so. You can, of course, make the argument that we have something similar to a revolution every time we go the the ballot box; but I often wonder, if Jefferson could see what we have become, whether he would be proud or appalled.
Posted by: Barry Short | August 4, 2006 10:11 AM
Uhhhh...did you read past the initial page?
Starting a music or artistic revolution etc. is a threat? It's a social meet and greet page, not a serious manifesto. There is a big difference. There aren't prisons large enough to hold the millions upon millions of people such strange and literal interpretations would dictate would have to put away. Basically, you'd have to lock up all of us but those who say and do what certain narrow segments of society and the government dictate. That doesn't sound like an America I recognize!
I reserve the right to dissent. That is the American way. I am sick of the "sit down and shut up" garbage that all too many people confuse with true patriotism these days. I love this country...that's why it tears me apart to see marching in line upheld as the new patriotism when in fact insisting that everyone do so is the very opposite.
Posted by: Damien | August 4, 2006 01:13 PM
That Jefferson is one smart guy. Here’s another quote: "The known bias of the human mind from motives of interest should lessen the confidence of each party in the justice of their reasoning." --Thomas Jefferson to James Ross, 1786. I do not dispute Mr. Wolf’s rights, I just lack confidence in his reasoning. Thank you for your thoughts.
Sally
Posted by: Sally | August 6, 2006 01:27 PM