Saffire

Okay, the "government = adult" analogy is tiresome, because the government isn't more experienced than the rest of society. Because Obama went to Harvard law school doesn't mean he (or any of the other 435 losers in Washington) know any more about running a society than the lay person. And this idea that "anarchy = chaos" is just lazy thinking. Anarchy is simply the absence of a government. The absence of government doesn't suddenly make people unethical lunatics. It just means there will be alternative ways to bring people to justice. What is "law"? It is a presumption. The presumption is that you signed a "social contract" (by being born here, within these imaginary geographic lines). That social contract is the Constitution. Oftentimes presidents break the constitution because of "emergencies". These emergencies are always dramatic (think 9/11 or WW2), but they typically don't pose a serious threat to the vast majority of the US population. Propaganda is used to make us feel like we are in danger, though. We are made to feel guilty for things we didn't do. "There are poor people! You must pay your fair share of taxes to support them!" "The Pakistanis are throwing rocks at Israeli children! You must pay taxes to support them." the list is endless. That's religious thinking. "Original sin" is the theory that you're guilty for something you didn't do (eat from the Tree of Knowledge). Now there is nothing wrong with paying money for any of these things, as long as it's done voluntarily. And there's nothing wrong with a social contract, just so it's a real contract - you've actually signed it. Nobody in their right mind would sign a contract for life. Various contracts would compete, offering different degrees of freedom and protection. Security firms would enforce them, and those firms that overstep their bounds would lose customers and profit (just like any other contractual business today). A voluntary society is possible!

Violence reduces violence? Just because something bad is institutionalized and made burocratic doesn't mean it is suddenly respectful. And the violence in a government system isn't "under control" by any stretch of the imagination. Indeed, it is focused and magnified to the point that it caused the deaths of hundreds of millions in the 20th century alone. Government is the most dangerous thing in the world. It's caused more deaths than robbers, serial killers, and bears combined. But we just assume it's necessary, without really thinking of alternatives. We still believe in this Hobbesian notion that humanity is doomed to cannibalize itself in chaos if it weren't for the benevolence of government... which, ironically, is an institution comprised of humans! EDIT: My whole point here is that a natural society is the most peaceful. Government isn't "natural", it's imposed on us by psychopaths. After all, anybody who'd kidnap and lock someone up for smoking marijuana or not paying taxes is a psychopath. Of course, they don't do it themselves. They've got this hired group of thugs called "police" to do all the dirty work for them. So in a natural society, all interactions are voluntary, and violence is only used when someone gets out of control (ie attacks you or your property). But even then, it's never institutionalized. We can't all agree on when it's appropriate to use violence in every situation, but we can all agree that we should each have a say as to when it's doled out in our own defense.

If an alien who didn't understand the language (or what a uniform was) saw COPS, they'd think it was a show about a gang of thugs who drive around searching for people to harass and beat up.

Then you are an anarchist! Because you don't believe in the use of force, and government is force. It requires force to extract tax dollars.

I'm very much a pacifist by nature, so I'm not sure I'd get much joy out of punching someone unless they were attacking me or a bystander. What would really thrill me though, would be to go to a huge political rally (like the ones Obama held before he was elected) and convince the attendees they are wasting their time by voting, and that government is unethical and unnecessary. I'd probably do this by setting up a stage nearby with a huge projection screen and a PowerPoint presentation on anarcho-capitalism and why government sucks. Seeing the expression on the politician's face as he loses voters to logical thinking would be far more more satisfying than punching him.

If you guys lived nearby we'd totally have an Entourage party.

Well I think he was referring to Steven Merchant, not me. But still... I think I've diagnosed him. For real. I feel like Dr. House.

Try to keep your Asperger syndrome in check.

Having a career must suck. I want skills... building websites, using household items to save peoples' lives (like on Royal Pains, great show btw), drawing/painting, plumbing, fixing my own car, making money in the stock market, acting, etc. Imagine how versatile we'd all be if we spent 8 hours a day learning various useful skills instead of going to work. Specialization is for lame brains!

I can have you because I'm a jock. Captain of the football team, no less. So you're kind of obligated to have sex with me, hot chick. Unless you want to hang out with all the other goth girls.

lol yeah I know what you mean dude I currently drive a used Mazda, but when I run that into the ground I'm gonna get a Toyota probably. But that's a while from now... I might change my mind.

You're Bi? YES! I've got a chance. *selective hearing FTW*

All these turkeys have to do is build a car that people actually want. Look at what makes Toyota's successful and copy it. It's not rocket science. They need a CEO like Steve Jobs. Also, they just got a boatload of free money from taxpayers. Instead of blowing it all, use it to hire the most talented engineers away from these Japanese auto makers. I'm sure they'd leave their companies for a fee. Money talks.

lol Nick I love your sig pic.

The government should ban animals. They're unsafe carriers of disease!

TOE THUMB. :cry:

LOL Oh geez. If only you all knew what the significance of the word "fish" is to gay men :laugh3: ... I actually thought Rick was quoting a line from Bruno, but I guess not!

Happeh Birfday Jawsh!

Shawn Pyfrom

Rooby Rooby Rooooo!

Are you drinking alone?? How sad! :(

Black represents anarchy, the yellow represents the gold standard.

True that. Voting is for losers.

Nick, you must be drunk now...

This makes me feel like I'm someone's pet. Are you not aware it's condescending to say this? Gay people aren't all the same. I'm not the kind of guy you'd enjoy going shopping with - I prefer to hang out with straight guys, doing stuff they do. And yeah, I know Lee Pace is gay. :P