We Should Guard Against the Dumbing Down of The Daily Paul!
Submitted by Ralph Waldo on Wed, 06/03/2009 - 21:29
In my opinion the unique thing about the Daily Paul is the high level of discourse and education that has been the hallmark of this site since its inception. When I talk to people about what is really going, I often refer to the Daily Paul as a primary source of enlightenment.
While I enjoy the expression of free speech in whatever form it takes, the real appeal of this site is the collective insight and exchange of ideas that is brought to the fore. Therefore, I appeal to those who appreciate and contribute to this unique level of discourse, to actively push the tide of mutual education to the high ground as exemplified by Ron Paul himself.
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Ralph Waldo, an apology...
I think it was *your* Revolutionary War thread that I once smacked down with a snotty "do your research" type comment. I felt so bad afterward that I stopped looking at threads like that...sometimes I cannot resist the temptation to be such a smarta**...anyway, please forgive me.
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson
Malo periculosam libertatem quam quietam servitutem. ("I prefer the tumult of liberty to the quiet of servitude"). Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1787.
I remember that well
I had to go into therapy and just now recovering - ; )
Just kidding! and can't remember it but I love your name - male or female persuasion?
Well, I'm "amica" not
Well, I'm "amica" not "amicus:" therefore, female.
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson
Malo periculosam libertatem quam quietam servitutem. ("I prefer the tumult of liberty to the quiet of servitude"). Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1787.
How non "dumbed down" are you looking for?
Just finished a letter to Rep. Bob Dixon of Missouri, chair of the Interim House Committee on State Intelligence Analysis Oversight...the "MIAC Committee."
Four pages long, fifteen web references; discussion of previous attempted legislation aimed at muzzling non-Constitutional activities of fusion centers. Boring, perhaps, but hopefully effective...?
Should I post? Or stick to meditations upon the mortality of Michael Jackson?
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson
Malo periculosam libertatem quam quietam servitutem. ("I prefer the tumult of liberty to the quiet of servitude"). Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1787.
Flexible - bends but never breaks.
The other thing to remember is that this is a community.
When something like this happens (the death of MJ) it is an event that members of the community want to share in, and commiserate about.
The headline on Drudge reads, "The King is Dead." It reminds me of when I was a kid - 1977 - and the previous King passed away.
But I don't know if that's what you're talking about, or not.
The nice thing about the DP, in my opinion, is that it is flexible. It bends, but it never breaks!
While the prinicples of liberty
certainly merit the analogy of a mighty oak, I'm not sure there are any virtual communities that have the longevity and root system to claim that status.
Virtual communities are much like spontaneaous gatherings along the interstate - people stay as long as they enjoy the company and conversation. Just as easily as they "pull-in", they can "take-off" to a new destination.
The world don't move...
to the beat of just one drum...Assert Your Authority
Assert Your Authority
Amen....
Keep bending folks.
Let's buy up the debt of DP -- Or provide full-time revenue
If there are 300 regular folks in here -- if we each give $50 per month Michael can be our employee rather than our welfare agent -- we are spooning like collectivist.
Maybe before we have a free-market country we need to have a free-market web-page?
That being said -- We'd need to build an entrepreneurial and networking base -- because in a free-market that's the first concern.
If we could "innovate" the message, make it profitable to be a DP member then 10,000 people would join.
We need a new focus a new base and very strict (voluntary) guidelines.
If we want "normal" people (who have jobs and are "true" free-market-anarchists -- entrepreneurs / intrapreneurs) then we gotta drop the "collectivist ranting" and "conspiracy theories"
If "Ron Paul" is our "guy" then we need to focus on what he calls for politically and IF "Free-Market-Anarchy is out "ideal society" then we need to act-like-it (entre- and intra-preneurialism).
Octobox
*&^ Constitution --- Constitutional Rationality
hate to say it- but if we drop the cute sh*t- the site will be a
handful of stale, passionless 40 somethings trying to out -network each other for pet projects. The grassroots that got us here are the unwashed masses. The nuts are the ones who'll get off their asses and call their reps- because they are still young and idealistic enough to think it'll work.
40 somethings?
Dang it, how did you find out I turned 40 last year......
I continue to call and email, today I will fax my senators and Mr Peters in the house on the Financial comittee that still hasnt signed on to the bill.
I recently told them it was not against the law to cosponser a bill after it has been sent to a comittee :-)
I don't know if it will work. So when I get home I go out and work in the garden, teach my daughter to ride her bike, and help my sons stay active.
But they are the reason I continue to do it. Email, call and fax. Eventually a person can become such an alchoholic he falls in the ditch hits bottom and either has to die or rise back up. I am hoping our congress and senators are at or close to that point. They operate like drunk alchoholics with no respect for anyone.
Good luck to us!
John in Michigan
Jinc: By-the-By -- we'd need to create the value first
the first group of people would be investors -- and before that we'd need to build a b-plan and a model for success.
this is what I do for a living -- I help people cut costs or invigorate revenue during the planning phase.
well -- it's one of the things I do. I also coach defensive tactics to law enforcement, military, and now RP patriots.
Octobox
*&^ Constitution --- Constitutional Rationality
If you are not entrepreneurial nor are you an un-taxed
sub-contractor then you are not a free-market capitalist.
There are three people in a free-society (of working age and not infirm): 1) Innovators (entre- and intra-preneurs), 2) Sub-Contractors, and 3) The Wealthy
There are no "voters" in a free-society -- because the option to take away rights from another person is not possible. You vote in a "democracy" not a Free-Market. You can neither buy up anothers inalienable rights nor sell yours away -- so what's to vote on.
There are no "politicians" (no leaders of any kind) -- because wealthy seek the quick-start wisdom from the "un-washed" innovators.
We did not "get here" because of "grassroots" -- We got here because of Inflation and Ron Paul -- there was no "grass" invovled.
RP got 3% of the vote -- that's it. Whether it was the real number or not doesn't matter -- it's all they "gave" him or its all they let him win -- it's a "they" thing not an "us" thing.
Ron Paul's been here for 35 years -- I was a supporter in '88. Where was the grass back then - hahaha. It was being GMO'd by Monsanto.
People don't wake up 'till the pocket book is bled near dry.
This is why there's been so many collectivist vs individualist threads in DP -- because the pocketbookers are a 7% drop in un-employment and a 10% drop in inflation away from going back to the boob-tube.
The "grassroots" is what's holding the message back because they think they can "vote out the corporatist" -- "find the right leader"
You can't "hire" a leader to give back your "individualism" -- why is this not blatantly understood here. Why genetic predisoposition towards liberty do I possess that very few others do.
I support Ron Paul not because I think one non-hijackable HR or Bill will pass but because he is the Educator -- He's the only one qualified and in position.
You guys are trying to get Kokesh and other's elected -- as if they can't be hijacked. I called Sanford last year and people castigated me for it.
"Grassroots" -- That's a term from the 60's (the vote - sit in - protest folks who created no change - just helped to justify bigger gov't).
Counter-Economics is the only thing we haven't tried -- We needed the internet for it -- a portal that allowed us to move faster than those who could block us.
Just some thoughts, ignore me, and this mood will pass.
Octobox
*&^ Constitution --- Constitutional Rationality
good points.
I have one request to the general DP population at large. Can we stop using the term "genetic" in ways that we really don't know for sure? Someone may or may not be predisposed to certain things but the link to genetics is really unclear. Also, it is disturbing when people refer to someone's soul as a computer part that is "hard wired" for something. I guess its becoming vernacular, but it is a bit harsh on my sensitivities. (Just had to get that out).
Now regarding what you wrote, I think the conflict arises with the term Leader and individual. Some would say that Jesus was a leader. He encouraged individual liberty and sovereignty. We are all children of the King and equal in God's eyes. To follow Him, is to live a life of liberty and love that is not bound by anything but purely motivated by simple truths, love your neighbor as yourself, etc. He led by example, he was completely an individualist, so to say and he was the perfect leader. His leadership helped others grow in their individualness. This is the image we are made in, to be like him. So that means that some people may wind up in leadership roles. Some leaders will help others become more independent and free.
Sorry for the length but just felt like jumping in today. I love your statement, "You can't "hire" a leader to give back your "individualism" This is completely true. However a person can be led to the place where they will ultimately be confronted with the choice and this, in my opinion, is the role of a leader.
LivingTheDream
Active Thoughts
Just noticed this ... I must've been in the same mood:
http://www.dailypaul.com/node/97588#comment-1074205
I'm intriged by your proactive counter-economics concept, BTW.
Thanks also for your encouraging efforts on this forum.
The 60's no change?
They protested by the millions for years and stopped the
Vietnam War and impeached NIxon.
Love It!
And agree 100%
"Get to the choppa!"
"Get to the choppa!"
That's Pretty Vague
Let's protect the "dumbing down of the Daily Paul"???
That's like saying the United States has declared war on "Terrorists"
What you consider "dumb", maybe "important" to other people.
"Get to the choppa!" (Oops....I hope my quote isn't dumbing down The Paul)
"Get to the choppa!"
What do you think Ron Paul say if you asked him about the
significance of MJ?????????????????
Enough Said?
...
I have utter disdain for Celebrity Culture. But as Gerald Celente has always said....."Current events form future trends" :)
"Get to the choppa!"
"Get to the choppa!"
lol
the DP was dumbed down many moons ago.
You're a day late and a dollar short. This site is mainly a venting mechanism for the disturbed. That being said, I respect the disturbed. :)
Socialists are Everywhere
Socialists are Everywhere
Look, it was a small diversion
and newsworthy for some of us. MJ died and has been an icon of the world for years. A few comments about it does not make DP flighty. The thread will die in under an hour.
Colchester, New London County, Connecticut
Exactly
Im willing to bet the folks over at NORAD are bullshi**ing about MJ at their watercooler as we speak. Let it run its course : )
I agree with your sentiment,
but it must be taken into account that we are trying to awaken people who think the tabloids ARE the real world. To use a faith based analogy, we must leave the comfort of the cloister and venture out as evangelists for the truth. Now, Liberty is no religion, it simply supports it, so please no biting my head off for referencing a topic some disdain, but if we cannot turn on the imagination and generate discourse with the most removed, if we cannot lead the blind to sight, we will find ourselves here debating with one another until the end. Everyone has the potential to understand Liberty, and it's nemesis, slavery, and everyone has the potential to thrive if dealt with tenderly and deliberately. I too shrink at the tabloids, I rarely watch TV (Lost), and I am working my way through numerous books like Propaganda, The Federalist Papers, The Anit-Federalist Papers, The Law, multiple military manuals, etc...But, if I cannot translate that information into something communicable to those who need it most (along with myself), what good are my efforts. We risk alienation and classification as snobs and the worst definitions of separatists. We must keep our standards high at the DP, but only so we are prepared to dig deep into the soil of our society, to affect change, and revive Liberty and a Constitutional Republic in America.
At least, that's the way I see it.
Assert Your Authority
Assert Your Authority
great post
I dont know how I find a way to argue with you sometimes
It's a talent...
you've got. And it makes for some thought provoking scenarios. Thanks
Assert Your Authority
Assert Your Authority
Well said!
The danger is in being crowded out. The lack of understanding about what is going on is a dangerous disease that has infected the American people. That's why the DP has been such a breath of freash air and source of hope - at least for me anyhow!
In my opinon the obsession with Micheal Jackson is the perfect example of why America is in the sad state it is in!
You are correct...
sometimes it's like being on a "truth recon" force outside the DP. I feel like a mental special forces operative at work, the store, restaurants,..., I'm sure that is the case with many here, and imagine the isolation Ron Paul feels being right there in the District of Criminals and Liars and Theives. I think I'll make a t-shirt that says "Looking for Liberty" and the two o's in Looking will be the front glass of some bionoculars. Maybe i'll put a question mark at the end to make it rhetorical.
Assert Your Authority
Assert Your Authority
I sense an ominous shift to the tabloid
side of the news!
oh, Michael Jackson doesn't
oh, Michael Jackson doesn't have anything to with Ron Paul?
I thought he did.
(cringing)