Comments on: If You Don’t Choose Your Oppressor, You Can’t Complain

By: Ethan Lee Vita

Ethan Lee Vita — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:01:07 +0000

Either that or a way to be notified when a new comment in post you commented in has been added.

By: Black Bloke

Black Bloke — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 23:58:38 +0000

I wish there was a running tally of new comments on the side of the page like Rad Geek’s site has.

By: Ethan Lee Vita

Ethan Lee Vita — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 03:44:34 +0000

Well, considering stormtroopers have no power there isn’t really an exact analogy to voting. So, if Roderick doesn’t mind, I’ll change the analogy to running for president(Ron Paul or other preference).

And a good analogy would be Darth Vader stopping the Emperor from killing Luke. Vader would be the president, the emperor would be the system, and Luke would be the anarchists-in-persecution. Vader would have joined for originally good reasons, but been corrupted through time. Seeing his kind(son or former freedom-focused beliefs) being persecuted by the system he would finally end the system, but also destroying himself in the process. Any thoughts on this? Oh and would it be possible to enable being notified of future comments at all?

By: Black Bloke

Black Bloke — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:44:56 +0000

He would’ve had to apply for a job as a stormtrooper, not just wear the uniform for a few hours in order to deceive those who would kill him. Applying for a job (assuming they aren’t just specially made clones) would probably include some loyalty oath or test, a review of the applicant’s commitment, and periodic performance reviews once the job is gotten.

And the link to the audio is here: http://www.wendymcelroy.com/audio/McElroy2008/uwmnonvote25feb08.mp3

By: David Z

David Z — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:39:32 +0000

Earlier this week I wrote a short post on the topic: Who Are You Voting For?

By: Administrator

Administrator — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:47:51 +0000

So what would he have to do to count as becoming, rather than disguising himself as, a stormtrooper? And what’s the analogous line in the political case?

By: Ethan Lee Vita

Ethan Lee Vita — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:22:05 +0000

Well, Vader may have regretted it, but Anakin didn’t.

And good point about Luke disguising himself as a stormtrooper, but I must also point out that he disguised himself, he didn’t become a stormtrooper.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:46:07 +0000

Thanks! Links added.

By: Black Bloke

Black Bloke — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:38:03 +0000

I’d include the Wendy McElroy speech on not voting, “Act Responsibly, Don’t Vote!” You can find it in a Google search. I’ll post the link later when I have time if no one else posts it.

By: Anon73

Anon73 — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:13:20 +0000

But in the statists have no problem at all with your voting. “You want to vote for Ron Paul? Go for it! See if we care!”

Well that’s not quite true. A majority of people in government do not agree with Ron Paul and would adamantly oppose his election (supposing it were a real possibility). A better criticism of Roderick’s argument is the sheer unlikelihood of success of such an endeavor. After all, if you sneak on board the Death Star only to become a junior grade gunner on level 22 then you haven’t substantially advanced the cause of freedom very much.