Rights

I was listening to a podcast the other day and was somewhat surprised to hear the commentator make, what I felt was a major gaffe, given his solid libertarian-esque creds. Basically, he was advocating for gay rights which, on the surface, one could argue is valid. Everyone has a right to associate as they wish as long as it does no harm to anyone else... But there-in lies the key. Everyone.
In other words, the distinction of 'gay' rights is an arbitrary classification of rights that pertain to all and is thus superfluous, and worse than that, dangerous as it creates interest groups that can be exploited by the state. Better that we recognize the human rights inherent in all (citizen, non-citizen, black, white, gay, handicapped, etc) than to break those rights down as exclusive to a certain segment of society.
I say, we all loudly proclaim all rights as ours. If we must operate in the current paradigm of divisions of rights, then rightfully claim your gay/straight/black/white/jewish/atheist/minority/one-eyed/too-hairy/fat/etc rights as YOURS! They all belong to you as a human right...there should be no other distinction.

Letter to a Friend

I wouldn't normally consider posting something that I shared in private with a friend, however in this particular case there is no harm as the person is not mentioned by name in what I am about to share.
The background is this: My friend sent me a message asking if I would mind if they 'de-friended' me on Facebook. The friend's concern was that he/she was going to be seeking a government security clearance and that the background check would undoubtedly include (yes, it seems silly but it is true) his/her Facebook profile. Being friends with me could possibly sully my friend's chances of getting the security clearance because the prevailing tenor of the majority of my posts are decidedly anti-state and anti-war and, even if he/she hid my posts on Facebook, I would still be on his/her "friends list".
Now, being a friend and, perhaps more importantly, being pragmatic, I let my friend know that I understood and that by all means, do what needed to be done. However, through out the course of the day, the motivation behind the request began to really nag at me... In a matter of hours it dawned on me why I was so troubled. Following is what I wrote to my friend:

"I've been thinking all day long about the concerns that you expressed...and although I recognize your concerns and the pragmatism of your actions (you are right to do what is right for your situation), it really, really disturbs me that we (you and I) are intimidated into cowing before our government for the prospect of a 'better' job. In essence, we are boot-licking!
I understand that what I may think, say, or post is explicitly anti-(bad) government but nothing I have done is unpatriotic, whatever that means in today's wacko world! Do we not still have the freedom of speech, the freedom of association, the freedom to be secure in our persons and properties, the right to disagree with the actions and political philosophies of our elected representatives?
Sadly, as we act to hide ourselves from our government, the answer is stunningly clear...it appears that we do not have any of these anymore in any meaningful way. Liberty is not a half-measure. We either are free, or we are not. And, your request/explanation to me today, regardless of my understanding of the purest of intentions behind your actions, brought it home to me this morning - WE ARE NOT FREE.

I had to share this little epiphany with you, if anything to thank you for clarifying some of my thoughts, but perhaps also to offer you some unsolicited food for thought: Is a job that requires this kind of acquiescence from you worth the price?"

So, epiphany for the day: We are not free.

Actually, it is not so much an epiphany as it is a more clear understanding of the extent of the loss of our liberties. It is depressing...and it is a call to action. How much longer do we continue to play the game of good sheep? I, for one, am very weary of the boot on my neck and shackles on my actions...