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The Fun of November
by Andrew G. Eggleston Sr.
whitesage12@hotmail.com

Credit The Libertarian Enterprise

This is the last time we will be able to exchange ideas before two pivotal events occur—The first being Guy Fawkes Day and the second America's National Elections. What do these two completely disparate events have in common? They are both the exercise of choice by the individual. We must understand however, that regardless of the final outcome, each person must make a choice. Guy Fawkes feared the protestant aristocracy under the rule of James I would seriously infringe upon the free worship of the Roman Catholics. Guy Fawkes knew he might have been betrayed, his execution of the Gunpowder Plot continued because he made a choice to continue, and though he failed, looking back we have to wonder if he wasn't on the side of good.

I am often cornered by friends (usually extreme left or right) with the notion that when I vote Libertarian, I am wasting my vote, as no Libertarian will win a significant seat. Well no they won't, if no one votes for them, but splitting-down the vote is our choice, our privilege, or as Katherine Hepburn said, "You absolutely must vote, it is your sacred franchise!"

Never let it be said I argue with Kate.

Voting is your choice, yours alone and no one else's. If you are to be influenced in your vote, then let it be by the candidates themselves, don't just vote the party line if you don't agree with what you are hearing. Choose for yourself, that's what this whole voting process is for—in case your schooling didn't teach you this, I'm bringing you up to speed. If you like this Democratic candidate for such-and-such office, and this Republican candidate for such-and-such office, and finally a Libertarian candidate for another office, then by all means vote across the party lines. You are allowed, and none of your friends or co-workers will find out unless you betray yourself. Finally, let me point out that if you know some slackers who do not vote, or if you are a slacker who does not vote—then you get what you deserve, or exactly what you asked for. And if you do not vote then there is nothing you can say about the way things are run because your choice was to not participate, and that can be your choice too.

In honor of Guy Fawkes and his choice to participate in the Gunpowder Plot (you can look it up here) I gleefully alter the speech by the terrorist known as V. A friend of mine inspired this as he had the idea first.

Hello freedom loving peoples everywhere.

Allow me first to apologize for intruding on your day. . .

I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts of the everyday routine. . . the security of the familiar, the tranquility of repetition.

I enjoy them as much as any of us.

But in the spirit of commemoration. . . whereby important events of the past. . . usually associated with someone's death or the end of some awful, bloody struggle are celebrated with a nice holiday.

I thought we could mark this November the 5th (Guy Fawkes Day). . . a day that is, sadly, no longer remembered by taking time out of our daily lives to sit down and have a little chat.

There are, of course, those who do not want us to speak.

In the near future, orders may be shouted into telephones and men with guns would soon be on their way.

Why? Because while the riot club, tear gas and water hoses may be used instead of conversation - words will always retain their power.

Words offer the means to meaning and, for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth.

And the truth is there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn't there?

Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression, and where once you had the freedom to object, "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances", to think, act and speak as you saw fit - you now have legislation restricting you and moneyed interests controlling the mass media and impromptu searches and surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting submission.

How did this happen? Who's to blame?

Certainly there are those who are more responsible than others.

And they will be held accountable.

But again, truth be told, if you're looking for the guilty you need only look into a mirror.

I know why you did it.

I know you were afraid.

Who wouldn't be with; escalating crime rates, war, disease, 9-11, Oklahoma City, Waco, Columbine High School.

There were a myriad of problems, which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense.

Fear got the best of you, and in your panic, you turned to the United States Government, currently presided-over by George W. Bush.

They promised you order, they promised you protection, they promised you peace and all they demanded in return was your silent, obedient consent.

Now we should seek to end that consent, the USA Patriot Act is a complete infringement upon your rights as an American under the Bill of Rights. The Central Government has removed your rights, declaring how you will act, speak, and think. They will listen to your personal phone conversations between you and your family, friends, or lover. They will tap into your computer and hack into everything about you, they will listen to your intimate conversations that take place in the privacy of your own home. And when they have decided you are a significant enough threat, they will break down your door and point guns into your face until you do what they say.

More than 400 years ago, a great citizen wished to imbed the 5th of November forever in the memory of free people everywhere.

Guy Fawkes hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice and freedom are more than words.

They are perspectives.

So if you've seen nothing, if the crimes of this Central Government remain unknown to you, then I would suggest that you allow the 5th of November to pass unmarked.

But if you see what I see, if you feel as I feel, and if you would seek as I seek, then I ask you to stand beside me, and remember that the 5th of November should never, ever be forgot.

This and all previous articles of mine may be freely copied and distributed, please be responsible and give credit to the author, thank you.

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