HDT you are giving the mass of men to much credit.

Mike, give me a break - you could say that about any quote. Treat in the context it was said. He wasn't referring to defending yourself. Force is the weapon of the weak both physical and non-physical - i.e., when you are forced by government (or any other organisation) to relinquish your property, your rights, and your happiness.

Perfect!

The truth is absolute, there always; it never needs to hide, its road is everywhere. We need to rise to truth; we need to do what is right without worry or recourse.

Archer, good response - it's semantics. I don't like the words strike and blow in the same sentence, there is a feeling of violence when you say 'strike the first blow'. It's that 'shoot first and ask questions later' mentality that is unacceptable.

LOVE IT! this is a keeper

correction: ...all of which save one... being SELF

Perfect! The other being SELF

Indeed! Its called the trickle down theory.

Archer, I don't think Gandhi would agree with your supposition. Now that we have given more power to the fed, more money for the military complex, less financial regulation on Wall Street and corporate America - So, Archer, get the tar out and let me see you march down the street with your feathers. Tell me how are we to strike the first blow? Rhetoric is only powerful when it reflects action.

Justin, read your history books WWll was responsible for another 20 million or more deaths. War onlys wins when there is no victor - don't you see that?

Oops

Mike, are you marking the quote or the man? There should be continuity on this blog so that we have some idea of the basis of criticism. I give the quote five stars.

True freedom (that which relates to no financial encumbrance and allows the freedom to pursue your own happiness) only arrives when we no longer contrive to survive. When we no longer feel threaten by religion, government, and the majority. Only then can ignorance and intolerance be put behind us. We have a long way to go and the ONLY road we must travel is called SELF (detachment). So, where do we start, definitely not by striking the first blow; we start by looking inward and striking the blow in our hearts and minds; clearing our thoughts from aggression, hate, and greed. "No man is free who is not master of himself" Epictetus

Wow! That's great - so apt for today's Wolves. We go to our houses or worship and achieve zilch - all we do is commune with others who only wish to keep the status quo. The problem with America is that its represents over 60%. Can you believe what's going on in Iran - the young Persians (70%) want freedom.

Excellent! The Patriot Act was or is a good example (Homeland security). When will we learn that war only creates more war - the road to Freedom is found through understanding and understanding is only found when ignorance pales in comparrison.

Hmmm. He must have read the Bhagavad Gita (Chapet two). Good post John (no family connections to The John Mills?) A great book John Mill's on Liberty.

Warren, thats a drop in the bucket comapred with funds funneled by corporations etc. etc. Truth is Natural Law, absolute, and God has nothing to do with it. Four stars because of it's verbosity.

To see where we have been see Zeitgeist Addendum - Jim you obviously didn't read the book. Projectionism is the trait of fascism and intolerance. Lies, lies, lies, when will they stop?

This is how most fascists come to power if that's the philosophy you want. I will not give this baffoon any stardom - in actual fact he should have been imprisoned for treason - but, that's another story.

Dick, Terry, and Mike, and yes, Waffler, said it for me (eccept for the God bit). Good to see you back Terry. The Birchers are coming out of the wood-work - lets be on our toes and have plenty of Terminix ready.

Spot on for today - Obama and Bernanke telling us that we need fiscal discipline and we must rein in the budget deficits?????WTF??!!! This is like the top drug dealers in the world calling for prohibition!! I voted for Obama - and I still prefer him to the Republicans. But - he is taking us down an incredibly dangerous road by following the same playbook as the Bush regime by using Keynesian policies of creating MORE DEBT by so-called stimulating the economy - WHEN TOO MUCH DEBT IS THE PROBLEM - Americans and our leaders do not want to face up to reality - which would mean PAIN IN THE SHORT TERM - for the longer term GAIN. We are so spoiled and addicted to getting everything we want NOW - that our politicians and ourselves have put us into this current situation - on the edge of the abyss. The stock market is being so manipulated it is a JOKE. Do you really think the fundamentals of the economy at the moment justify a stock market gain of 35% in the past 3 months? If Bernanke was not holding up the whole economy with his printing presses and lending facilities going full blast - we would be flat on our backs!! We need to go back to living within our means, paying for things when we have the money to pay for them - and (OH MY GOD) doing WITHOUT WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. We are doomed on this current course - and the bond market dislocation is the first harbinger. Sorry for the rant - but how stupid do Bernanke and Obama really think we are?? They think LYING to us is being patriotic when they are creating more debt exponentially, while at the same time telling us "we need to rein in the deficit? Sorry, I want the TRUTH and REALITY - even if it means severe pain in the short term - which would put us back on firm footing for the long term. The means in this case definitely do not justify what should be the ends. Though the ends are definitely going to be reflected by the means.

We must learn to free ourselves of fragmentation; we must free ourselves from contradictions, violence, etc. etc. only then will freedom of conscience be yours - it is Natural Law. While we are the observer, we will continue to fragment and while you fragment violence and all you abhor will continue.

Yes, this is along the road to Freedom but still a long way to go. As Krishnamuriti said 'Observe without being the observer' Please listen to his speech San Diego 1970 just google his name. All that there is is SELF all that is is. Freedom is not something you aquire - freedom is.

Archer, I am afraid again you have misunderstood my words. No one can take you freedom from you but yourself. And here lies the key, it needs no definition, no words, it is what it is, YOURSELF. I will also fight for the physical freedom of others through which they too have the power of SELF. There are many laws that apply to married couples that do not apply to same sex couples. I personally do not whine my whining is for the help and rights of others and to fight any injustice where I see it - stop being selfish and think of others they need your help - you are a good person and I believe a moral too so use your power for others and stop fighting for your own freedom it sound as though you already have it.