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Absurd That It Should Be Necessary To Articulate This
Jenna Orkin
The response to Mike Ruppert's article By the Light of a Burning Bridge: A Permanent Goodbye to the United States has been wrenching and uplifting. (See comments below his blog posted August 17, 2006.) Readers offer thanks, sage counsel on how to get along in a foreign country and on what to eat. They write in tears and with love. (Those readers should take heart from Mike's article: He is writing as strongly as ever and from a sunnier perspective.)
And then, as night follows day, there are the naysayers.
We cannot expend time or energy putting out the various little fires that have ignited around cyberspace about the bombshell of Mike's relocation to Venezuela. Most will eventually burn out by themselves. But lest silence at this end be misunderstood, a few observations are in order.
Some of the naysayers point out that there are many good people to be found in America.
Indeed there are and from his safer vantage point, Mike will be able to help those people learn. One of the pieces of advice given to mothers on airplanes is: In the event of an emergency, put the oxygen mask over your own mouth before you put one over your baby's. Mike's move is not a desertion but a step in an evolution for those of us who see in what direction the world is heading.
Other critics, laughably, assert that they are more courageous than Mike because they are staying put.
To those people I would ask: Have you faced down the CIA? Were your computers smashed with sledgehammers? Is moving to a foreign country where you know nobody and must make your way with little money in a foreign language an act of cowardice? Were the Jews who left Germany after Kristalnacht cowards? Or is death an intrinsic aspect of your definition of "courageous?"
Doubtless those writers will have comebacks to those questions. A response of silence here should be construed not as acquiescence but as dismissal.
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19 comments:
Doing nothing is easy. Making changes, big decisions, taking risks into unchartered waters; that takes kahunas!
You can't change the wind but you can adjust your sails. We're all on different paths, so to compare, I think, is remedial. Anyone quick to pass judgement on how others "do their life" needs to introspect their own. None of us really have a clue what the guy standing in line next to us at the vegetable stand has been going through. There aren't too many of us who could fly under the scrutiny and exposure Mike has had. It's really a very small world we're in. And for those of us who care, we're all collectively a spark of light in (at the moment) a very dark & misguided planet.
"My Country" is in my heart and soul and exists now, sadly, only on paper. But no amount of mucking up & destruction will ever destroy the constitutional beliefs so many have died for. We all have to do something to deny what's happening here. We all need to say no in whatever fashion we can muster. And for many that means spending our clams elsewhere. It all ripples out into the soup.
Yeah it is absurd that it is necessary, but seems like absurd is the name of the game anymore. Stick a fork in us... we are done.
I have been told that a sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. It looks like by that definition Mike is definitely sane and I really have to wonder about the rest of us. To the naysayers: How many times should
Mike be set up to fail?
I am seriously wondering what happened to common sense anymore. A
person I work with made the statement: "Why don't those Arabs stand up and fight in the open?" I guess if they had money to be inside tanks and airplanes like we do they would. Duh!
One would think that with more people educated anymore there would be less chance for government to BS us but it seems as if the opposite it true. It looks as if the the British airport liquid terrorism
story was all horseshit, but we don't hear anything about that from the media or even any scientist raising the flags.Flying Toilet Terror
I read Mikes' exit article with "shock and awe". I don't know if I would have the courage to do it...but then again, I've never faced down the CIA or had MY computer smashed. Ever since 9/11 I have been trying to face up to the possibility of my own death by someone else's hand---someone with an American flag sewn on their shoulder---or their faded, dirty baseball cap. Perhaps each of us will find a time and place for our own personal "burning of the bridge". I have ecouraged my daughter to emigrate (I won't say where, but hope it's out of the way enough), and she has, hopefully to a better, if more limited materially, future.
A long time ago, Scott and Helen Nearing (Google it) pondered moving away fromn the states, after they had been marginalized to the point where they could not perform their chosen professions as teachers. Scott Nearing was the first person jailed under the 1919 Espionage Act. They stayed, and created a legacy of sustainability for us to learn from. They were "on station" here. So are we, as best we can be.
The World Wins, America Loses a Peak Oil Giant!
PeakOil_RSA Editors Comment: Hopefully Mr Hugo Chavez and Venezuela are clever enough to appreciate their most valuable commodity just arrived in their new land, and it surely isn't all that oil. If not... I sure as hell will fight my government to welcome this pain in the ass to enrich my nation! :-)
I left the USA for good two years ago and have no regrets. In fact life is better in more ways I could have ever anticipated and I too feel a new hope.
Although I am not a public figure like Mike is, I've had my share of negative feedback, mostly by people who are in denial about the situation we all face.
I know how difficult such a decision is to make, but know that Mike will land on his feet and find renewed inner strength and inspiration.
Welcome to the real world Mike. I know you will flourish and continue your success in sharing vital information with your laser like insight.
I made a suggestion to the FTW staff by email, but would also like to make it here. In response to a question about FTW's DVDs, I was told they have region codes. Since DVDs with North American region codes cannot be viewed on DVD players here, I can't watch FTW DVDs (bummer!). So my suggestion is that henceforth -- unless there is some law preventing this -- FTW have its DVDs made with the region code zero (which, if I am not mistaken, allows them to be played anywhere in the world).
It little profits that an idle king,
By this still hearth, among these barren crags,
Match'd with an aged wife, I mete and dole
Unequal laws unto a savage race,
That hoard, and sleep, and feed, and know not me.
I am part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch wherethro'
Gleams that untravell'd world, whose margin fades
For ever and for ever when I move.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in the old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal-temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Japan prepares first Islamic bonds
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx/2006/08/18/afx2958111.html
In other news from the Japan sector, there are increasing concerns that the recent business upturn is being nipped in the bud by high energy prices.
thank you! yes, exactly: full steam ahead (without wasting water, however.)
and thanks to all readers and those sending in comments. you're the best source of insight, good will, information and renewable energy around.
My commitment is to stay in this country. I have children, family, and friends who need knowledge and support in order to get through difficult times. I will always believe that we have the greatest Constitution on earth and that it's liberties are worth staying to defend.
That being said, I find no fault in Mike's decision to leave. He's been threatened, other prominant researchers are dead, and there is no such thing as martyrdom within a sytem of lies and media deception. He made the right choice. Period.
As much as I stand behind my own views and reasons for staying put, if my family was threatened (and removing me threatens my family) I would act in the best interests of self preservation. Unlike Mike, I'm not close to that point.
Regarding the "absurdity", I think it's obvious that many still look at this as a game, or maybe as the minor leagues. Our nations political future is deadly serious and those pulling the strings will accept no legitimate large-scale opposition. For their own sakes, I hope the naysayers smarten up before their audiences grow to large for the corporate cabal's comfort. When that happens, if they don't have the humility to eat their words they'll be eating dirt.
Rice Farmer - I live in Japan at present. Before leaving the US I purchased an all region DVD player. We have my collection of region 1 DVDs and my wife's are region 2, so it makes things a lot easier for us.
You might look into that next time you are in the market for a player.
I value your comments here by the way.
Pandabonium -- Thanks for the tip on DVD players. I'll look into getting an all-region model.
At the same time, I hope FTW will consider my suggestion, as it would make their DVDs viewable to everyone, no matter where.
yes rice farmer, your suggestion was duly passed on to relevant staff. thank you.
likewise, btw, to others who've made suggestions.
Leigh McKeirnan - I'm in Japan for now, but will be moving to Fiji next year sometime. You can read/see about it on my blogs (go through my profile). Have many expat friends in many countries. Faced similar issues to your own. Happy to discuss my choices if you like, just drop me an email.
Naysayers, detractors...
Some are responding to the fear of the unknown, thinking that hitting the messenger will delete the message.
Some are insiders, doing their job, discrediting opponents for "their side", which is the dark side and many of them are unaware of the roots of evil that feed them.
Age of confusion.
Silence is really the best response to these people but I can't give that advice because I don't listen to that advice myself.
Speaking the truth at every opportunity is a growing experience.
In defense of answering the critics: When we learn from our mistakes in defending the truth we strive closer to that truth. How much better off we are than learning how to strive for the lie.
To be silent or to respond?
Perhaps it is one of those case-by-case issues.
If you have the energy, if the forum is right, if some good can come out of it. Why not?
But silence is also a deft weapon of truth. When the deliberate liar is left with nothing except his own words ringing empty in his head, silence is the best alternative to giving a platform to lying detractors.
I leave the best advice to our Matthew 7:6 - "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."
Mr. Rupert hit the nail right on the head.
When I moved to Holland ten years ago it was the attraction to the Dutch way of life that motivated me. Today I am ashamed to call myself American and duel citizenship is no longer a happy privilege. I’m going Dutch.
Here is my anthem (from the musical Chess). I hope it adds some pride to what you’ve done, Mike. Best of luck.
ANTHEM
No man, no madness, though their sad powers may prevail,
can posses/conquer my country’s heart. They rise to fail.
She is eternal long before nation’s lines were drawn.
When no flag flew, where no army stood, my land was born.
And you wonder how I love her through war, death and despair.
She is the constant (for) we who don’t care.
And you wonder will I leave her. But How?
I cross over borders but I’m still there now.
How can I leave her? Where would I start?
Let men’s petty nations tear themselves apart.
My land’s only borders lie around my heart.
I agree with the persons who have said "what took Mike so long..." I can't imagine how any of you guys at FTW could think you are safe -- especially with a ".gov" agency next door (!!!!???) In reading that, in the “Bridge” article, it occurred to me you might be wise to follow the example of that Israeali company at the WTC, who cut and ran out on their lease a week before the “big day”.. and skeedaddle out of that building? – right, I know, I know, you probably won’t be much safer anywhere else, but possibly …um… less immediately vulnerable?
I keep thinking about the "Dune" mantra. Mike, I, too, give you credit for having stayed in the US, and done the work you have done here, on "American soil," for as long as you have. I am incredibly, incredibly grateful to you, for validating my own cognitive dissonance about the “official story” of 9/11 and the following world events. And for pinpointing, and articulating, the actual issues we are facing in the US right now. You are an astonishing, brilliant human being, (and a mensch, besides).
To those persons who think you are “cutting out,” and that you lack courage (--sheesh!), I would just respond to them that you are simple working your program, with the Serenity Prayer as your guide, just as you, very clearly, always have been—it’s just that it’s boiled, finally, down, to the Wisdom part.
Take good care, Mike.
he's alive and well and living in venezuela. we know this because he's still writing for ftw
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