Thread: what is your threshold for civil disobedience?

At what point will you consider, that our government has stepped out of line?



And, what will you do about it?







How much would it take, to get you to sit down on a bridge and get pepper sprayed for it,

or attacked by dog-wielding cops, or .....



What is the threshold at which you will consider that our government has

crossed the line and entered the realm of "tyranny"?



Tyranny - n. - arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power



Have you ever seen the original seal of the United States of America? Here it is:



Original Seal of the United States

[quote name='nonsqtr' date='14 August 2009 - 10:37 PM' timestamp='1250314646' post='5470']



[/quote]



God would look better with a Brazilian wax...

[quote name='nonsqtr' date='15 August 2009 - 12:37 AM' timestamp='1250314646' post='5470']

At what point will you consider, that our government has stepped out of line?



And, what will you do about it?







How much would it take, to get you to sit down on a bridge and get pepper sprayed for it,

or attacked by dog-wielding cops, or .....



What is the threshold at which you will consider that our government has

crossed the line and entered the realm of "tyranny"?



Tyranny - n. - arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power



Have you ever seen the original seal of the United States of America? Here it is:



Original Seal of the United States





[/quote]





Damn what a great question, hopefully never. At any rate for me I dont think it would be any one thing that would cause it but a combination.



For ex. taking away of 2nd ammendment rights, the US military used in force against citizens who are peacefully demonstrating, and even perhaps forceful innoculations.



I really hope to god that it never comes to that, i mean I am in better shape than I was when I was in the USMC, but the average citizen up against the military, gonna lose and lose big.



Hopefully everything stays peaceful, who knows.

[quote name='nonsqtr' date='15 August 2009 - 01:37 AM' timestamp='1250314646' post='5470']



[/quote]

A little ironic considering God is a tyrant.



But as to your question. I feel any government either is or has the potential to become authoritarian. What would it take for me to make a stand? A well organized resistance. I'm not going to get pepper sprayed in the face for nothing.

It's kind of like pornography... you can't draw a line and say "this is acceptable, this isn't". But damnit you know it when you see it.

[quote name='Disappointed not surprised' date='15 August 2009 - 10:55 AM' timestamp='1250348144' post='5524']

Never been a fan of the Brazilian... a landing strip, on the other hand, is sublime.



For some God is a loving Father, Good Orderly Direction, or even just plain old gravity. Hardly a tyrant.



I believe it is entirely possible that, if things take a turn for the worse, there will be food riots by the "have nots" within the next 2-3 years. I also believe that there could be anti-government riots by the "haves" within the next 2-3 years. My position is to stock up on ammo and wait it out.

[/quote]



My position is to have an exit strategy. Friend, if there are food shortages, I positively GUARANTEE that they will affect the "haves" as well as the "have nots".



I know PLENTY of people, who will make it their personal business in that event, to see that the "haves" have NOTHING.



And, that would be the WORST possible outcome, in this scenario. We're talkin' Chairman Mao, don't you know? Do you know anything about that? Do you realize how vicious that revolution was? It was horrible...



There aren't enough cops in the whole world, to calm what will happen if there are food shortages in the population centers.



Listen - these clowns in our f'in government have been telling us that they're doing all this for OUR benefit, right?



Well, the signs are that they are not only FAILING, but that this whole thing is being done for the benefit of only a few.



And, the "have nots" can easily find those whom they "believe" to be on the receiving end of that, and simply put an end to the problem. Our Senators here in California, would have to FLEE, if there are food shortages here. You have no idea how many people are THOROUGHLY prepared for that kind of thing, out here. What'll happen is, those who are prepared will be very pissed off, that they're having to spend 24 hours a day protecting themselves from those who aren't, and the result of all that is that they'll BOTH show up at the Senators' doors.

[quote name='nonsqtr' date='15 August 2009 - 12:37 AM' timestamp='1250314646' post='5470']

At what point will you consider, that our government has stepped out of line?



And, what will you do about it?







How much would it take, to get you to sit down on a bridge and get pepper sprayed for it,

or attacked by dog-wielding cops, or .....



What is the threshold at which you will consider that our government has

crossed the line and entered the realm of "tyranny"?



Tyranny - n. - arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power



Have you ever seen the original seal of the United States of America? Here it is:



Original Seal of the United States





[/quote]



The problem I see is that such a 'moment in time' would have to be brought on by various events. Many of those events could pass without notice, some may cause a reaction, but tyrany doesn't happen overnight, but can be built up over time.



To anwser your questions, I can't honestly say what I'd do or not do. The politically correct answer is to stand up to tyrany, the reality may not be so easy on many levels. For instance, where is the oppression targeted? Is it towards me and those I care about? If it was an issue of food shortages and the oppression targeted people I've never met but allowed for those I care about to eat could I honestly say I'd fight to see my own loved ones go without for others? Could I or should I expect that others would do the same for me? Every instance would bring about similar questions, and while its easy to say one would do the right thing, actually being in the situation and being asked to act would probably bring results that none of us can foresee.