Make no mistake about it: the Westboro Baptist Church is a disgusting, hate-mongering organization par with the KKK. But they, like everyone else, have the right to stage a legal protest. And this ruling is nothing more than a government sanction against their right to free speech in the United States.
An anti-homosexual protest at the funeral of a soldier who died honorably for this country is not only asinine, it's morally repulsive to anyone with any sense of intelligence and decency.
But it's not illegal. It's protected speech.
I've had more than one conversation with Shirley Phelps Roeper, and while she is a hideous human being, she's not stupid. She is a lawyer, and many of her relatives that are also involved with the WBC are also lawyers. One thing that they know is the law, and they've been very careful throughout their existence not to violate it during their protests. This ruling is nothing more than a kneejerk reaction to what many perceive to be hate speech.
The only reason free speech advocates are not as up-in-arms as they'd normally be is because... well, who in their right mind would defend the WBC?
Well, I suppose I'm not in my right mind this morning, because I am standing up and defending the WBC's right to be bigoted idiots. I do so for two reasons:
1. Government endorsed sanctions (and that's what this is, don't kid yourselves) against ANYONE'S right to free speech in this country is a violation of the Constitution of the United States of America.
2. If such a ruling is not overturned (and I'm confident it will be,) it can have dangerous implications on the future of free speech in this country.
Remember folks, people exercising their right to free speech in this country works to further stratification of the populace at large. Without it, it's one less tool in our toolbox.
Think about that the next time something like this occurs.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Why I hate (most of) my listeners
Yes, it's true.
You didn't read that title incorrectly.
If you're a fan of Satanism Today, odds are that I hate you. In fact, unless we are friends, or have had some sort of interaction outside of the spectrum of my radio show, you can be assured of it.
In fact, I hate you so much, that I stopped doing the show for almost 2 years.
The reason for this is simple. When you do a live radio show, you expect some sort of interaction with the live audience. Otherwise there's no point in doing a live show. I could pre-tape a show every week, and have be perfect. But there's no fun in that, no spontaneity, no thrill... no magic. Those of you that have been bitten by the radio bug no what I mean by this.
Good talk radio... REALLY good talk radio, is two-thirds host, one-third audience. Listen to the great broadcasters across the dial and on satellite: Howard Stern, Sean Hannity, Randi Rhodes, Opie & Anthony, Tom Leykis, Mike Gallagher, Bob Grant, Art Bell, etc. They have great audience participation. Most of them wouldn't sound half as good as they do without callers calling in, asking questions, making comments, and starting arguments.
I get none of this from any of you.
Maybe it's the laziness of the internet generation who can't be bothered to pick up a phone and push ten whole buttons in order to interact with a radio show. Perhaps it's the sense of entitlement of the current generation who just simply wants to be spoonfed your ideology, and not actually have to think for themselves. Maybe it's the pussification and feminization of the current generation whose too afraid to call in to a radio show for fear of sounding like a moron, and they don't want to get their feelings hurt by someone who is more adept at thinking on their feet.
Whatever the case may be, I can honestly say that after returning to the internet airwaves for a lousy three weeks, I'm already sick of doing the show. Most of you don't deserve to hear it.
Maybe it's me. Maybe I expect too much from people. I suppose that in this day of On-Demand programming, instant gratification, and the "give it to me now" attitudes of most people in search of entertainment, the idea of sharing your thoughts with a radio show, even an internet one, must seem a little hokey and old-fashioned. And if that's the case, then Satanism Today will probably return to the drawer from whence I brought it out, only this time, never to be heard again. I have no use for straight podcasting. It's fucking boring.
This machine does not run properly without the essential cog: an interactive audience. I pay for a studio phone line for a reason. The number to that phone line is 631-769-1618. Those of you that are interested in keeping Satanism Today going would be well served to learn that phone number, and to call it at some point on Thursday nights between the hours of 9pm and 10pm eastern time, provided that you have something to contribute, whether it be a question, a comment, or a point of contention. If you have nothing worthwhile to say on a particular day, that's fine. I just find it too hard to believe that my whole audience is so fucking inept and retarded that none of you have anything to say. I find it hard to believe that each and every one of you out there that listens live agrees with absolutely everything that I say, so much so that you nothing to add or argue. If that's the case, then the show is just redundant, and there's no point to it.
In his essay, "Let Me Entertain You," Anton LaVey wrote:
"The key is boredom. Most people welcome a challenge. Some will even thrive on insults. There are those who find it stimulating simply soaking up another's presence without a word being spoken. But no one likes boredom.
"...How many times have you been trapped into talking about Satanism to someone totally uninteresting to you, while the same gathering boasts someone not only receptive but stimulating. Clearly, it is you who is bored and your irresponsible listener who is entertained."
Satanism Today, in its weekly format, disapeared for two years because the lack of audience participation made it boring for me to do. After being back for three weeks, its at risk of disapearing again, because once again my audience takes, but bores me by not giving back. It just further solidifies for me the reasons that Anton LaVey, towards the end of his life, disapeared from the public view: because the public (or in my case, the audience) is boring.
If you're reading this, and you don't like what I've had to say about you here, then you either need to stop listening to the show, or you, my "irresponsible listener," need to make me want to do it. Satanism Today can be an entertaining radio show, a forum for your thoughts, a soapbox for your ideas, a promotional tool for your business, and much more. But I can only do so much to make it that way. The rest is up to you folks. If it's not fun for me, it can't be fun for you.
You didn't read that title incorrectly.
If you're a fan of Satanism Today, odds are that I hate you. In fact, unless we are friends, or have had some sort of interaction outside of the spectrum of my radio show, you can be assured of it.
In fact, I hate you so much, that I stopped doing the show for almost 2 years.
The reason for this is simple. When you do a live radio show, you expect some sort of interaction with the live audience. Otherwise there's no point in doing a live show. I could pre-tape a show every week, and have be perfect. But there's no fun in that, no spontaneity, no thrill... no magic. Those of you that have been bitten by the radio bug no what I mean by this.
Good talk radio... REALLY good talk radio, is two-thirds host, one-third audience. Listen to the great broadcasters across the dial and on satellite: Howard Stern, Sean Hannity, Randi Rhodes, Opie & Anthony, Tom Leykis, Mike Gallagher, Bob Grant, Art Bell, etc. They have great audience participation. Most of them wouldn't sound half as good as they do without callers calling in, asking questions, making comments, and starting arguments.
I get none of this from any of you.
Maybe it's the laziness of the internet generation who can't be bothered to pick up a phone and push ten whole buttons in order to interact with a radio show. Perhaps it's the sense of entitlement of the current generation who just simply wants to be spoonfed your ideology, and not actually have to think for themselves. Maybe it's the pussification and feminization of the current generation whose too afraid to call in to a radio show for fear of sounding like a moron, and they don't want to get their feelings hurt by someone who is more adept at thinking on their feet.
Whatever the case may be, I can honestly say that after returning to the internet airwaves for a lousy three weeks, I'm already sick of doing the show. Most of you don't deserve to hear it.
Maybe it's me. Maybe I expect too much from people. I suppose that in this day of On-Demand programming, instant gratification, and the "give it to me now" attitudes of most people in search of entertainment, the idea of sharing your thoughts with a radio show, even an internet one, must seem a little hokey and old-fashioned. And if that's the case, then Satanism Today will probably return to the drawer from whence I brought it out, only this time, never to be heard again. I have no use for straight podcasting. It's fucking boring.
This machine does not run properly without the essential cog: an interactive audience. I pay for a studio phone line for a reason. The number to that phone line is 631-769-1618. Those of you that are interested in keeping Satanism Today going would be well served to learn that phone number, and to call it at some point on Thursday nights between the hours of 9pm and 10pm eastern time, provided that you have something to contribute, whether it be a question, a comment, or a point of contention. If you have nothing worthwhile to say on a particular day, that's fine. I just find it too hard to believe that my whole audience is so fucking inept and retarded that none of you have anything to say. I find it hard to believe that each and every one of you out there that listens live agrees with absolutely everything that I say, so much so that you nothing to add or argue. If that's the case, then the show is just redundant, and there's no point to it.
In his essay, "Let Me Entertain You," Anton LaVey wrote:
"The key is boredom. Most people welcome a challenge. Some will even thrive on insults. There are those who find it stimulating simply soaking up another's presence without a word being spoken. But no one likes boredom.
"...How many times have you been trapped into talking about Satanism to someone totally uninteresting to you, while the same gathering boasts someone not only receptive but stimulating. Clearly, it is you who is bored and your irresponsible listener who is entertained."
Satanism Today, in its weekly format, disapeared for two years because the lack of audience participation made it boring for me to do. After being back for three weeks, its at risk of disapearing again, because once again my audience takes, but bores me by not giving back. It just further solidifies for me the reasons that Anton LaVey, towards the end of his life, disapeared from the public view: because the public (or in my case, the audience) is boring.
If you're reading this, and you don't like what I've had to say about you here, then you either need to stop listening to the show, or you, my "irresponsible listener," need to make me want to do it. Satanism Today can be an entertaining radio show, a forum for your thoughts, a soapbox for your ideas, a promotional tool for your business, and much more. But I can only do so much to make it that way. The rest is up to you folks. If it's not fun for me, it can't be fun for you.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
1st Phase Satanism: Just Say No!
Anyone that has followed my radio show, as well as my writings, knows that a common theme in a lot of what I comment on is something that has commonly been referred to as "1st Phase Satanism." For those that are unfamiliar with this term, let me provide a definition.
Many Satanists, particularly young ones, when they first discover that they have been living a Satanic life and have finally come to know themselves as Satanists, want to shout their new found discovery from the rooftops. All they want to do is talk Satanism, debate Satanism with Christians, Wiccans, Muslims, and anyone who will hear them sing the praises of their lifestyle, now that they have a name for it. They will argue Satanism until they are blue in the face, and no one can tell them that they're wrong. This activity, for the most part, is completely counter-productive, and is as useless as trying to convince me that Al Sharpton serves some useful purpose in society. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Wiccans, et al, do not care about the fact that you're a Satanist anymore than you care about their religion, and your efforts to "convert" them to our way of life are not only futile, they are completely against the bedrock of Satanic philosophy. We do not proselytize. The literature is out there for anyone to read. People find the Church of Satan on their own, and those that do tend to be people of a much higher quality than those who might be converted by your debate skills. Quality over quantity has always been something that the Church of Satan has subscribed to.
Part of the reason that I speak out so vehemently against this behavior is because I used to engage in this behavior when I first discovered that I was a Satanist. Yes, it's true... My name is David, and I am a recovering 1st-phase Satanist. If I remember correctly, I first discovered The Satanic Bible when I was 20, and joined the Church of Satan when I was 21 or 22. And as a young Satanist, full of piss and vinegar, I would debate the fundamentals of Satanism and the inhumanities of Christianity with anyone who even looked at me cross-eyed. And I soon realized that I was accomplishing absolutely nothing in the process, except fulfilling my own selfish need to argue about something (which is one of the many things that led me into talk radio.) After many months of spinning my wheels and failing to get anywhere with my debates, I came to the realization that my time would be better served by living Satanism, instead of talking about it. So, when I attack people for engaging in this kind of behavior, it's only because I know that those people are wasting their time, and although I'm no altruist, if I can prevent someone from wasting their time debating Satanism with a retard, then I feel as though I might have helped that person just a little bit.
Even now, as the sun sets on my 20s, I, like any recovering addict, still get a twinge every now and again to go after an easy target with a little Satanic debate. In fact, it was just such an incident that sparked this writing. My wife and I recently attended a local street fair in one of the many quaint villages that you find around Long Island. As we enjoyed the crappy carnival food, the bad cover band, and the vendors shilling out awful merchandise, we were approached by a dough-eyed young lad, who was probably around 18 years old or so. He wore a white-collared button down shirt with a black tie, and black slacks. He was gaunt-thin, and with the addition of a black sports coat, black fedora, and sunglasses, would have been the spitting image of Dan Ackroyd as Elwood Blues from The Blues Brothers. Most annoying of all, however, was his smile. Even now, as I write this, I can still see that smile in my mind's eye. It was that smile of youthful exuberance. And when I looked down at the pamphlet that the boy was trying to hand me, I knew why he was smiling.
"God's last name is not 'Dammit'!" read the pamphlet's header.
I knew at that moment that the boy's smile meant that he was one of the recently converted, and with his new-found faith, he and the good lord were going to take on the world. And he wore that smarmy grin with such pride. And all anyone who saw this boy (not just me, as I saw the effect that his "glee" had on the other passers-by) wanted to do was smash this boy in his stupid face with the sledgehammer of reality.
Then, he spoke to me.
"Do you have a few minutes to take a survey?" he asked.
It was like asking a reformed cocaine addict if he felt comfortable doing a line after being sober for a decade. Every muscle in my body tensed up as I recalled the overwhelming joy I used to feel arguing with Christians over their philosophy, and how it has forced man to deny his nature for over 2000 years. I remembered the horrified looks upon their faces when they realized that for the first time, they were actually encountering a real-life Satanist, who not only knew Satanic philosophy, but who knew their bible better than they did. I recalled one instance in college when I debated the head of the student Christian organization live on the air on my college radio station... and she left the studio crying when I mocked her brother after she admitted that he had found God while on LSD. I remembered it all... and it all felt so good.
Then, I looked up at my wife, who was patiently waiting for me. And I remembered why I was there in the first place... to have a good time. And, I also remembered something else. Here these "good Christian soldiers" stood, at the gateway to a small recreation of Babylon, complete with alcoholic spirits, charlatans, and sin. they stood in the doorway, trying to provide salvation to anyone that tried to pass. And I knew that in the back of their minds, anyone that they didn't get to talk to was lost, and that hurt them... badly. That was a soul that they were unable to save. That was a part of their mission that they failed at.
So, I looked the boy in the eye; his face still grinning that awful grin.
"No, thanks." I replied to him, and walked into Babylon smiling, happily condemning myself in his eyes. And without even looking, I knew that I had wiped that stupid smile off of his face.
So, the next time that you encounter someone that wants to debate philosophy with you, for no other reason than to do it, remember the words of Nancy Reagan... "Just Say No!"
Many Satanists, particularly young ones, when they first discover that they have been living a Satanic life and have finally come to know themselves as Satanists, want to shout their new found discovery from the rooftops. All they want to do is talk Satanism, debate Satanism with Christians, Wiccans, Muslims, and anyone who will hear them sing the praises of their lifestyle, now that they have a name for it. They will argue Satanism until they are blue in the face, and no one can tell them that they're wrong. This activity, for the most part, is completely counter-productive, and is as useless as trying to convince me that Al Sharpton serves some useful purpose in society. Christians, Muslims, Jews, Wiccans, et al, do not care about the fact that you're a Satanist anymore than you care about their religion, and your efforts to "convert" them to our way of life are not only futile, they are completely against the bedrock of Satanic philosophy. We do not proselytize. The literature is out there for anyone to read. People find the Church of Satan on their own, and those that do tend to be people of a much higher quality than those who might be converted by your debate skills. Quality over quantity has always been something that the Church of Satan has subscribed to.
Part of the reason that I speak out so vehemently against this behavior is because I used to engage in this behavior when I first discovered that I was a Satanist. Yes, it's true... My name is David, and I am a recovering 1st-phase Satanist. If I remember correctly, I first discovered The Satanic Bible when I was 20, and joined the Church of Satan when I was 21 or 22. And as a young Satanist, full of piss and vinegar, I would debate the fundamentals of Satanism and the inhumanities of Christianity with anyone who even looked at me cross-eyed. And I soon realized that I was accomplishing absolutely nothing in the process, except fulfilling my own selfish need to argue about something (which is one of the many things that led me into talk radio.) After many months of spinning my wheels and failing to get anywhere with my debates, I came to the realization that my time would be better served by living Satanism, instead of talking about it. So, when I attack people for engaging in this kind of behavior, it's only because I know that those people are wasting their time, and although I'm no altruist, if I can prevent someone from wasting their time debating Satanism with a retard, then I feel as though I might have helped that person just a little bit.
Even now, as the sun sets on my 20s, I, like any recovering addict, still get a twinge every now and again to go after an easy target with a little Satanic debate. In fact, it was just such an incident that sparked this writing. My wife and I recently attended a local street fair in one of the many quaint villages that you find around Long Island. As we enjoyed the crappy carnival food, the bad cover band, and the vendors shilling out awful merchandise, we were approached by a dough-eyed young lad, who was probably around 18 years old or so. He wore a white-collared button down shirt with a black tie, and black slacks. He was gaunt-thin, and with the addition of a black sports coat, black fedora, and sunglasses, would have been the spitting image of Dan Ackroyd as Elwood Blues from The Blues Brothers. Most annoying of all, however, was his smile. Even now, as I write this, I can still see that smile in my mind's eye. It was that smile of youthful exuberance. And when I looked down at the pamphlet that the boy was trying to hand me, I knew why he was smiling.
"God's last name is not 'Dammit'!" read the pamphlet's header.
I knew at that moment that the boy's smile meant that he was one of the recently converted, and with his new-found faith, he and the good lord were going to take on the world. And he wore that smarmy grin with such pride. And all anyone who saw this boy (not just me, as I saw the effect that his "glee" had on the other passers-by) wanted to do was smash this boy in his stupid face with the sledgehammer of reality.
Then, he spoke to me.
"Do you have a few minutes to take a survey?" he asked.
It was like asking a reformed cocaine addict if he felt comfortable doing a line after being sober for a decade. Every muscle in my body tensed up as I recalled the overwhelming joy I used to feel arguing with Christians over their philosophy, and how it has forced man to deny his nature for over 2000 years. I remembered the horrified looks upon their faces when they realized that for the first time, they were actually encountering a real-life Satanist, who not only knew Satanic philosophy, but who knew their bible better than they did. I recalled one instance in college when I debated the head of the student Christian organization live on the air on my college radio station... and she left the studio crying when I mocked her brother after she admitted that he had found God while on LSD. I remembered it all... and it all felt so good.
Then, I looked up at my wife, who was patiently waiting for me. And I remembered why I was there in the first place... to have a good time. And, I also remembered something else. Here these "good Christian soldiers" stood, at the gateway to a small recreation of Babylon, complete with alcoholic spirits, charlatans, and sin. they stood in the doorway, trying to provide salvation to anyone that tried to pass. And I knew that in the back of their minds, anyone that they didn't get to talk to was lost, and that hurt them... badly. That was a soul that they were unable to save. That was a part of their mission that they failed at.
So, I looked the boy in the eye; his face still grinning that awful grin.
"No, thanks." I replied to him, and walked into Babylon smiling, happily condemning myself in his eyes. And without even looking, I knew that I had wiped that stupid smile off of his face.
So, the next time that you encounter someone that wants to debate philosophy with you, for no other reason than to do it, remember the words of Nancy Reagan... "Just Say No!"
Friday, August 3, 2007
The Patriot Act: A Response to my friend Magister Sass
A few days ago, my friend, Magister James D. Sass, asked a general question to those who read his bulletins and blogs about the Patriot Act, and how it's impacted their civil liberties. Below is my response to that question:
For those that know my actual profession, you know that The Patriot Act directly impacts my life everyday...
It gives me job security... heh heh.
I admit, that in the midst of all of the hoopla of the Patriot Act, I jumped on the ol' "civil rights infringement" bandwagon with little more knowledge than those who got their news from "The Daily Show" would've had. This was a grievous error on my part... but I chalk it up to some residual youthful exuberance that I have since shaken.
After following discussions generated by your question, and reviewing some of the information provided by those discussions, it does seem to appear that the Patriot Act, by itself as it's written, poses no threat to the civil liberties of Americans... yet.
The reoccurring theme throughout the Patriot Act is "terrorism." Reading the verbiage of the act itself, as well as objectives summaries of it, show that all of the so-called "civil rights violations" that everyone complains about can only occur if the person allegedly having their rights violated is currently engaging in terrorist activity.
But... what is terrorist activity?
From Wikipedia:
This is a pretty clear and concise definition, and in this country, at the present moment, we can all rest easy knowing that "terrorism" is not a subjective term.
But we all know that laws are written and re-written. Legal definitions can and have changed. And the mood of a country's people and its leaders changes more often than most people change their underwear. There's nothing to say that the legal, "objective" definition of "terrorism" can change at any time. And with the addition and subtraction of a few words from that legal definition of terrorism, the Patriot Act changes from this relatively harmless piece of legislation, to a tool of a fascist state.
Is this likely to happen... no.
But the fact that it could makes the Patriot Act something to keep an eye on.
For those that know my actual profession, you know that The Patriot Act directly impacts my life everyday...
It gives me job security... heh heh.
I admit, that in the midst of all of the hoopla of the Patriot Act, I jumped on the ol' "civil rights infringement" bandwagon with little more knowledge than those who got their news from "The Daily Show" would've had. This was a grievous error on my part... but I chalk it up to some residual youthful exuberance that I have since shaken.
After following discussions generated by your question, and reviewing some of the information provided by those discussions, it does seem to appear that the Patriot Act, by itself as it's written, poses no threat to the civil liberties of Americans... yet.
The reoccurring theme throughout the Patriot Act is "terrorism." Reading the verbiage of the act itself, as well as objectives summaries of it, show that all of the so-called "civil rights violations" that everyone complains about can only occur if the person allegedly having their rights violated is currently engaging in terrorist activity.
But... what is terrorist activity?
From Wikipedia:
The United States has defined terrorism under the Federal Criminal Code. Chapter 113B of Part I of Title 18 of the United States Code defines terrorism and lists the crimes associated with terrorism[9]. In Section 2331 of Chapter 113b, terrorism is defined as:
…activities that involve violent… or life-threatening acts… that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State and… appear to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and… (C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States… [or]… (C) occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States…"
…activities that involve violent… or life-threatening acts… that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State and… appear to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and… (C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States… [or]… (C) occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States…"
This is a pretty clear and concise definition, and in this country, at the present moment, we can all rest easy knowing that "terrorism" is not a subjective term.
But we all know that laws are written and re-written. Legal definitions can and have changed. And the mood of a country's people and its leaders changes more often than most people change their underwear. There's nothing to say that the legal, "objective" definition of "terrorism" can change at any time. And with the addition and subtraction of a few words from that legal definition of terrorism, the Patriot Act changes from this relatively harmless piece of legislation, to a tool of a fascist state.
Is this likely to happen... no.
But the fact that it could makes the Patriot Act something to keep an eye on.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Best video ever!
Black market rocket launcher: $10,000
video camera: $499
Blowing yourself and your buddy off of the planet: priceless!
video camera: $499
Blowing yourself and your buddy off of the planet: priceless!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
But I'm a Changed Person!: Lawlessness pt. 2
Another phenomenon that I notice every now and again is the notion that someone that has committed a crime feels that they are entitled to some leniency, or even a free pass on their offense, because since the time that they have committed their felony, they've "changed." Now, what I mean by this is that they've "turned their life around" as they say. Perhaps they've sobered up from whatever mind-altering substance that they were imbibing in at the time, or started doing charity work, or some other self-imposed penance for their sins against society. Somehow, they feel that these acts of righteous self-indulgence somehow absolves them from the wrongdoings of their past.
We've seen several of these types hit the news in recent years. Stanley "Tookie" Williams, who was executed in 2005 for the 1979 murders of Albert Owens, Yen-Yi Yang, Tsai-Shai Lin, and Yee-Chen Lin immediately comes to mind. Celebrities, politicians, and the ever-present NAACP lobbied hard for Governor Schwarzenegger to either stay the execution, or commute Williams' sentence to life without parole. The basis of this was not new evidence of Williams' innocence, but rather his efforts to end gang violence while on death row. Now, I will say this about Williams... his work to end gang violence was noble, and in my opinion, certainly laced with the best of intentions (Williams was in fact nominated for a Nobel Prize for his violence fighting crusade.) I'll also say this about Tookie's post-incarceration efforts: so fucking what??? His work does not change the fact that four innocent lives were prematurely ended because of ol' Tookie. He was given a fair trial, convicted of his crimes, and sentenced in accordance with California state law.
Now, the inspiration behind this rant came from, of all places, a bulletin that caught my eye on Myspace. It seems that someone that was on my list (http://www.myspace.com/dialias) was recently apprehended by the authorities. The exact bulletin is recreated below:
" I AM STILL INCARCERATED ON SOME BOGUS CHARGES AND NEED YOUR HELP. I CURRENTLY HAVE NO COURT DATE AND HERE IS SOMETHINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP. WRITE ME AT; (munging the private information) PLEASE PUT YOUR RETURN ADDRESS ON ENVELOPE OR I WILL NOT GET MY MAIL. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAKE A COPY OF A LETTER EXPLAINING THAT I HELP TAKE CARE OF MY MOM WHO IS IN A WHEEL CHAIR AND HOME BOUND, ALSO MENTION MY WIFE IS GOING THROUGH TESTS TO GIVE HER KIDNEY TO HER DYING BROTHER. **** IF I HAVE MADE ANY IN PACT ON YOU IN ANYWAY PLEASE METION IT.*** YOU CAN MENTION THAT I RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER BENEFITS. CANCER RESEARCH, AND AM A ACTIVIST IN ENVIRONMENTAL, ANIMAL RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS,HOMELESS AWARNESS, PRISON AND DRUG REFORM.(GREENPEACE, ST.JUDE,PETA,AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL) SEND A COPY TO EACH PLACE BELOW...... ----------------------------------------------------------- (munging the private information) ------------------------------------- REPOST THIS MESSAGE AND YOUR LETTER TO FRIENDS ON MYSPACE. ASK THEM TO ADD THEIR NAME TO IT. I NEED SOMEBODY TO START A PETITION AT; PETITIONS.COM FOR MY RELEASE. I NEED SOMEBODY TO WRITE IN MYSPACE SECTION ABOUT ME WHO I AM AND WHY I SHOULD BE RELEASED. THE COUNTY SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH HARESSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION. WRITE ME AND I WILL TELL YOU THE FULL STORY. LIGHT A CANDLE FOR ME , BECAUSE I AM NOT ONLINE IT IS MY MOM WRITING THIS FOR ME. SEND MY WIFE RABBIT_BRE AND MOM (MY TOP FRIENDS) POSITIVE MESSAGES AND COMMENTS. ALSO THANK MY MOM FOR TYPING ALL OF THIS FOR ME. THANK YOU AND NOT SURE WHEN I CAN WRITE YOU BACK CAUSE RIGHT NOW I AM TRADING MY FOOD FOR PEN AND PAPER TO WRITE MY WIFE AND MOM.(SEEING I HAD NO MONEY ON ME WHEN I WAS ARRESTED) I HAVE NOT TALKED TO MY WIFE IN THE PAST WEEK 1/2. SEND THIS MESSAGE AS A BULLENTIN DAILY AND SEND TO RANDOM PERSON ON MY FRIENDS LIST UNTIL I AM RELEASED. THANK YOU AGAIN"
Wow... sounds tragic, doesn't it. But upon reading this, it occurred to me that something was missing. At no point during his inane plea for freedom did he say anything to the effect of "I'm innocent," or "I didn't do it."
Well... the story gets better. Further investigation into the issue shows that this person was picked up on some sort of property destruction charge. Here's another excerpt from a blog written by the defendant, which was posted to his mother's blog (www.myspace.com/aries230:)
" I HAVE NOT BEEN ONLINE FOR DAYS BECAUSE I WAS ARRESTED ON A B.S WARRANT OUT OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.I HAVE NOT TALKED TO MY MOM OR MY WIFE OR EVEN A LAWYER, MY WIFE AND I WERE STOPPED LAST FRIDAY MORNING AND HOPEFULLY SHE IS OK. SHE IS THE TOP FRIEND ON MY LIST AND PLEASE SEND HER COMMENTS I ALSO HOPE MY MOM (ARIES230) IS OK MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN AROUND TO CHECK UP ON HER...
LET THEM KNOW I AM NOT THE SAME CRAZY FOOL /PUNKROCKER THAT ACCIDENTLY BROKE A WINDOW WHEN I WAS DRUNK AND SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR OLD MISTAKES. I DID MY REHAB AND I STAYED OUT OF TROUBLE SO ALL CHARGES SHOULD BE DISMISSED.YOU CAN GIVE THEM ANY OF THE FOLLOWING INFO.
I USE MYSPACE TO FIND,
MISSING CHILDREN,
CRIMINALS,
TO GET TOUGHER LAWS FOR PEDOPHILES,
PASS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PETITIONS,
ANIMAL RIGHTS,
TO SAVE HISTORIAL LANDMARKS
, HELP PEOPLE FIND NATURAL REMEDIES
, RAISE MONEY FOR NON- PROFIT GROUPS..."
... and blah blah blah.
So, if I'm understanding correctly, this person gets drunk, trashes some property, and thinks he should skate because he helps to find missing kids and raises money for cancer research? Sorry bud, I don't think so.
You see, you don't get to set your own punishment as you see fit. This is why we have laws, as well as police to enforce them, and a judiciary to interpret them and pass proper sentence. Whether you think so or not, you've never paid for your crime... until now.
Incidentally, all of my feelings on this subject were confirmed when a very polite email to this gentleman's mother, kindly asking for clarification on how these charges were, in her son's words, "bogus," went unanswered. I guess she couldn't state in a way that would actually make sense.
So, all you lawless degenerates out there should take heed. Just because you give up your deviant and illegal ways, and exchange them for a life of trying to make up for it, it doesn't mean that you are absolved of all of your sins. The government, unlike the flaccid christian god, is callous and unforgiving... and it wants its rightly deserved pound of flesh.
We've seen several of these types hit the news in recent years. Stanley "Tookie" Williams, who was executed in 2005 for the 1979 murders of Albert Owens, Yen-Yi Yang, Tsai-Shai Lin, and Yee-Chen Lin immediately comes to mind. Celebrities, politicians, and the ever-present NAACP lobbied hard for Governor Schwarzenegger to either stay the execution, or commute Williams' sentence to life without parole. The basis of this was not new evidence of Williams' innocence, but rather his efforts to end gang violence while on death row. Now, I will say this about Williams... his work to end gang violence was noble, and in my opinion, certainly laced with the best of intentions (Williams was in fact nominated for a Nobel Prize for his violence fighting crusade.) I'll also say this about Tookie's post-incarceration efforts: so fucking what??? His work does not change the fact that four innocent lives were prematurely ended because of ol' Tookie. He was given a fair trial, convicted of his crimes, and sentenced in accordance with California state law.
Now, the inspiration behind this rant came from, of all places, a bulletin that caught my eye on Myspace. It seems that someone that was on my list (http://www.myspace.com/dialias) was recently apprehended by the authorities. The exact bulletin is recreated below:
" I AM STILL INCARCERATED ON SOME BOGUS CHARGES AND NEED YOUR HELP. I CURRENTLY HAVE NO COURT DATE AND HERE IS SOMETHINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP. WRITE ME AT; (munging the private information) PLEASE PUT YOUR RETURN ADDRESS ON ENVELOPE OR I WILL NOT GET MY MAIL. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAKE A COPY OF A LETTER EXPLAINING THAT I HELP TAKE CARE OF MY MOM WHO IS IN A WHEEL CHAIR AND HOME BOUND, ALSO MENTION MY WIFE IS GOING THROUGH TESTS TO GIVE HER KIDNEY TO HER DYING BROTHER. **** IF I HAVE MADE ANY IN PACT ON YOU IN ANYWAY PLEASE METION IT.*** YOU CAN MENTION THAT I RAISE MONEY FOR CANCER BENEFITS. CANCER RESEARCH, AND AM A ACTIVIST IN ENVIRONMENTAL, ANIMAL RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS,HOMELESS AWARNESS, PRISON AND DRUG REFORM.(GREENPEACE, ST.JUDE,PETA,AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL) SEND A COPY TO EACH PLACE BELOW...... ----------------------------------------------------------- (munging the private information) ------------------------------------- REPOST THIS MESSAGE AND YOUR LETTER TO FRIENDS ON MYSPACE. ASK THEM TO ADD THEIR NAME TO IT. I NEED SOMEBODY TO START A PETITION AT; PETITIONS.COM FOR MY RELEASE. I NEED SOMEBODY TO WRITE IN MYSPACE SECTION ABOUT ME WHO I AM AND WHY I SHOULD BE RELEASED. THE COUNTY SHOULD BE CHARGED WITH HARESSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION. WRITE ME AND I WILL TELL YOU THE FULL STORY. LIGHT A CANDLE FOR ME , BECAUSE I AM NOT ONLINE IT IS MY MOM WRITING THIS FOR ME. SEND MY WIFE RABBIT_BRE AND MOM (MY TOP FRIENDS) POSITIVE MESSAGES AND COMMENTS. ALSO THANK MY MOM FOR TYPING ALL OF THIS FOR ME. THANK YOU AND NOT SURE WHEN I CAN WRITE YOU BACK CAUSE RIGHT NOW I AM TRADING MY FOOD FOR PEN AND PAPER TO WRITE MY WIFE AND MOM.(SEEING I HAD NO MONEY ON ME WHEN I WAS ARRESTED) I HAVE NOT TALKED TO MY WIFE IN THE PAST WEEK 1/2. SEND THIS MESSAGE AS A BULLENTIN DAILY AND SEND TO RANDOM PERSON ON MY FRIENDS LIST UNTIL I AM RELEASED. THANK YOU AGAIN"
Wow... sounds tragic, doesn't it. But upon reading this, it occurred to me that something was missing. At no point during his inane plea for freedom did he say anything to the effect of "I'm innocent," or "I didn't do it."
Well... the story gets better. Further investigation into the issue shows that this person was picked up on some sort of property destruction charge. Here's another excerpt from a blog written by the defendant, which was posted to his mother's blog (www.myspace.com/aries230:)
" I HAVE NOT BEEN ONLINE FOR DAYS BECAUSE I WAS ARRESTED ON A B.S WARRANT OUT OF RENSSELAER COUNTY.I HAVE NOT TALKED TO MY MOM OR MY WIFE OR EVEN A LAWYER, MY WIFE AND I WERE STOPPED LAST FRIDAY MORNING AND HOPEFULLY SHE IS OK. SHE IS THE TOP FRIEND ON MY LIST AND PLEASE SEND HER COMMENTS I ALSO HOPE MY MOM (ARIES230) IS OK MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN AROUND TO CHECK UP ON HER...
LET THEM KNOW I AM NOT THE SAME CRAZY FOOL /PUNKROCKER THAT ACCIDENTLY BROKE A WINDOW WHEN I WAS DRUNK AND SHOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR OLD MISTAKES. I DID MY REHAB AND I STAYED OUT OF TROUBLE SO ALL CHARGES SHOULD BE DISMISSED.YOU CAN GIVE THEM ANY OF THE FOLLOWING INFO.
I USE MYSPACE TO FIND,
MISSING CHILDREN,
CRIMINALS,
TO GET TOUGHER LAWS FOR PEDOPHILES,
PASS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PETITIONS,
ANIMAL RIGHTS,
TO SAVE HISTORIAL LANDMARKS
, HELP PEOPLE FIND NATURAL REMEDIES
, RAISE MONEY FOR NON- PROFIT GROUPS..."
... and blah blah blah.
So, if I'm understanding correctly, this person gets drunk, trashes some property, and thinks he should skate because he helps to find missing kids and raises money for cancer research? Sorry bud, I don't think so.
You see, you don't get to set your own punishment as you see fit. This is why we have laws, as well as police to enforce them, and a judiciary to interpret them and pass proper sentence. Whether you think so or not, you've never paid for your crime... until now.
Incidentally, all of my feelings on this subject were confirmed when a very polite email to this gentleman's mother, kindly asking for clarification on how these charges were, in her son's words, "bogus," went unanswered. I guess she couldn't state in a way that would actually make sense.
So, all you lawless degenerates out there should take heed. Just because you give up your deviant and illegal ways, and exchange them for a life of trying to make up for it, it doesn't mean that you are absolved of all of your sins. The government, unlike the flaccid christian god, is callous and unforgiving... and it wants its rightly deserved pound of flesh.
Satanism and Lawlessness
So many times I will attempt to bring to light, through both my broadcast work as well my my occasional internet postings, issues of justice, because as a Satanist, I have an extremely inflated sense of what is just and lawful. I am familiar with the laws of my community, state, and country, and, with the exception of the occasional speeding infraction, follow them to the letter. Anyone claiming to be a Satanist would be mindful to do the same thing, or at the very least, be prepared to accept the consequences of his or her actions, should they be caught in the act, or apprehended after the fact by law enforcement.
So why is it that I receive so many letters and emails crying for my head when I take great joy in the fact that some lawless idiot was beaten by the police within an inch of his life? The answer to this question is spelled out below by High Priest Peter H. Gilmore, in his excellent essay, "Rebels Without Cause," (which can be found in his new book, The Satanic Scriptures:)
"Some newcomers to our philosophy do not grasp its axioms and tear at Satanism as if it were some kind of straightjacket. Others hope to wield it as an “anything goes” card rather than the key to accountable liberty that it is. They observe our list of “sins” and “rules” and don’t grasp that such terms are used with tongue firmly planted in cheek, while simultaneously missing the point that there is an ethical structure to our philosophy—our “third side” which is so elusive to those limited to dualist thinking. These lists are guidelines and tools based on keen observation of human social behavior, not arbitrary regulations or “shalt nots” handed down from “on high” or belched forth from “down below.” Each Satanist is welcome to take ‘em out for a test drive and see how they work. Most of us find them to be both accurate and useful. That’s why we adopt “Satanist” as a proper label for ourselves—Anton LaVey’s philosophy is completely coincident with our personal approach to living.
"What self-styled “Satanists” fail to realize when they find themselves disagreeing with the principles established in the literature of the Church of Satan is that it isn’t Satanism that must change to accommodate their disagreement. They themselves must abandon their improper self-definition. Satanism is codified—a rational and coherent construct. It is not an amorphous ragbag of loose concepts up for grabs to anyone who wants to call himself a Satanist. Yet some wish it were so, and invoke the word “freedom” as an escape clause from culpability. Anton LaVey’s entire purpose for founding the Church of Satan was to create a rational philosophy defining Satanism for the very first time in Western history as an above ground, coherent movement."
Now, there are idiots out there that will read that and claim to completely agree with what it says, not realizing for one split second that the essay is referring to them. They still stand up and applaud "Bravo, Magus Gilmore! I couldn't have said it better myself," and then in the next moment, go on with their lawless behavior without a single thought to what they've just read. The reasons for this, dear friends, are interpretation and understanding.
It's been said hundreds of times that the philosophies and tenets of Satanism are not open to interpretation. They are clear as crystal. The same cannot be said about the law. Laws are, in fact, written in vague, archaic language that is difficult to comprehend even for someone of above-average intelligence and an impressive vocabulary. However, when it comes to the law, there are three basic principles to understand:
1. Laws are WRITTEN by Congress (or whatever legislative body governs your community.)
2. Laws are INTERPRETED by the judiciary.
3. Laws are ENFORCED by the police.
When you are arrested, you are being arrested by the police, or more appropriately, by "law enforcement." It is their job to enforce the laws written by Congress. It is not their job to interpret what is meant by the laws that they are enforcing.
Now, here comes the part most morons who like to behave lawlessly have a hard time with. As stated earlier, it is not the job of law enforcement to interpret law... AND IT'S NOT YOUR JOB EITHER!!!!! You, as a citizen of your community, cannot interpret the laws of your community to suit your needs. Sorry folks, you just can't do it, and any attempt to do it is futile and stupid.
For those of you out there who are having difficulty understanding what I mean, let me use a few examples. How many of you out there know someone, or worse, ARE someone, that's gone to jail / paid a fine / done community service for smoking marijuana in public, or having an amount of marijuana in your possession that has been deemed by the government to be for "personal use?" Did that person try to argue with the cops, saying "It's only a joint, man! Why are you hassling me?! Fucking pig!"
I'm sure that they did (or you did.) And, if you resisted, were you subdued by the arresting officer through the use of grappling holds, or a nightstick, or mace, or a taser? If they (you) were subdued for resisting, then you received everything that you had coming to you... period.
When you're arguing the law with a police officer, you may as well be arguing the law to a brick wall. Neither you, nor the officer has the right to interpret what is meant by a statute. That's for a judge to decide. And when you take your interpretation to the next level, and resist the arresting officer, you are in violation of another law: resisting arrest. And that law is also not open for interpretation at the time of arrest.
Why do these impromptu legal debates ensue? Well, it probably has something to do with the fact that the perpetrator of the offense doesn't agree with the illegality of his or her actions, and because of this, they feel that they have the right to contest the charge right there at the point of arrest. Guess what kiddies... you're wrong! Not only are you wrong, but any action you take as a result of this incorrect thought can, and most likely will, land you in deeper trouble with the authorities. Such actions are, in this humble man's opinion, about as Satanic as a self-inflicted shotgun blast to the scrotum.
So, you don't like a law, eh? Lobby Congress to have it changed. Yes, it's easier said than done, but so is everything worthwhile in life. Remember Anton LaVey's definition of Lesser Magic from The Satanic Bible:
"Non-ritual or manipulative magic, sometimes called "LESSER MAGIC," consists of the wile and guile obtained through various devices and contrived situations, which when utilized, can create "change, in accordance with one's will."
If it means that much to you, you will use all of the legal means necessary to achieve your goals. If it doesn't mean that much to you, then either accept the fact that you cannot engage in your illegal behavior of choice, or accept the consequences of your actions when you get busted. Responsibility to the responsible isn't just a catchphrase, folks. It's part of the Satanic way of life.
So why is it that I receive so many letters and emails crying for my head when I take great joy in the fact that some lawless idiot was beaten by the police within an inch of his life? The answer to this question is spelled out below by High Priest Peter H. Gilmore, in his excellent essay, "Rebels Without Cause," (which can be found in his new book, The Satanic Scriptures:)
"Some newcomers to our philosophy do not grasp its axioms and tear at Satanism as if it were some kind of straightjacket. Others hope to wield it as an “anything goes” card rather than the key to accountable liberty that it is. They observe our list of “sins” and “rules” and don’t grasp that such terms are used with tongue firmly planted in cheek, while simultaneously missing the point that there is an ethical structure to our philosophy—our “third side” which is so elusive to those limited to dualist thinking. These lists are guidelines and tools based on keen observation of human social behavior, not arbitrary regulations or “shalt nots” handed down from “on high” or belched forth from “down below.” Each Satanist is welcome to take ‘em out for a test drive and see how they work. Most of us find them to be both accurate and useful. That’s why we adopt “Satanist” as a proper label for ourselves—Anton LaVey’s philosophy is completely coincident with our personal approach to living.
"What self-styled “Satanists” fail to realize when they find themselves disagreeing with the principles established in the literature of the Church of Satan is that it isn’t Satanism that must change to accommodate their disagreement. They themselves must abandon their improper self-definition. Satanism is codified—a rational and coherent construct. It is not an amorphous ragbag of loose concepts up for grabs to anyone who wants to call himself a Satanist. Yet some wish it were so, and invoke the word “freedom” as an escape clause from culpability. Anton LaVey’s entire purpose for founding the Church of Satan was to create a rational philosophy defining Satanism for the very first time in Western history as an above ground, coherent movement."
Now, there are idiots out there that will read that and claim to completely agree with what it says, not realizing for one split second that the essay is referring to them. They still stand up and applaud "Bravo, Magus Gilmore! I couldn't have said it better myself," and then in the next moment, go on with their lawless behavior without a single thought to what they've just read. The reasons for this, dear friends, are interpretation and understanding.
It's been said hundreds of times that the philosophies and tenets of Satanism are not open to interpretation. They are clear as crystal. The same cannot be said about the law. Laws are, in fact, written in vague, archaic language that is difficult to comprehend even for someone of above-average intelligence and an impressive vocabulary. However, when it comes to the law, there are three basic principles to understand:
1. Laws are WRITTEN by Congress (or whatever legislative body governs your community.)
2. Laws are INTERPRETED by the judiciary.
3. Laws are ENFORCED by the police.
When you are arrested, you are being arrested by the police, or more appropriately, by "law enforcement." It is their job to enforce the laws written by Congress. It is not their job to interpret what is meant by the laws that they are enforcing.
Now, here comes the part most morons who like to behave lawlessly have a hard time with. As stated earlier, it is not the job of law enforcement to interpret law... AND IT'S NOT YOUR JOB EITHER!!!!! You, as a citizen of your community, cannot interpret the laws of your community to suit your needs. Sorry folks, you just can't do it, and any attempt to do it is futile and stupid.
For those of you out there who are having difficulty understanding what I mean, let me use a few examples. How many of you out there know someone, or worse, ARE someone, that's gone to jail / paid a fine / done community service for smoking marijuana in public, or having an amount of marijuana in your possession that has been deemed by the government to be for "personal use?" Did that person try to argue with the cops, saying "It's only a joint, man! Why are you hassling me?! Fucking pig!"
I'm sure that they did (or you did.) And, if you resisted, were you subdued by the arresting officer through the use of grappling holds, or a nightstick, or mace, or a taser? If they (you) were subdued for resisting, then you received everything that you had coming to you... period.
When you're arguing the law with a police officer, you may as well be arguing the law to a brick wall. Neither you, nor the officer has the right to interpret what is meant by a statute. That's for a judge to decide. And when you take your interpretation to the next level, and resist the arresting officer, you are in violation of another law: resisting arrest. And that law is also not open for interpretation at the time of arrest.
Why do these impromptu legal debates ensue? Well, it probably has something to do with the fact that the perpetrator of the offense doesn't agree with the illegality of his or her actions, and because of this, they feel that they have the right to contest the charge right there at the point of arrest. Guess what kiddies... you're wrong! Not only are you wrong, but any action you take as a result of this incorrect thought can, and most likely will, land you in deeper trouble with the authorities. Such actions are, in this humble man's opinion, about as Satanic as a self-inflicted shotgun blast to the scrotum.
So, you don't like a law, eh? Lobby Congress to have it changed. Yes, it's easier said than done, but so is everything worthwhile in life. Remember Anton LaVey's definition of Lesser Magic from The Satanic Bible:
"Non-ritual or manipulative magic, sometimes called "LESSER MAGIC," consists of the wile and guile obtained through various devices and contrived situations, which when utilized, can create "change, in accordance with one's will."
If it means that much to you, you will use all of the legal means necessary to achieve your goals. If it doesn't mean that much to you, then either accept the fact that you cannot engage in your illegal behavior of choice, or accept the consequences of your actions when you get busted. Responsibility to the responsible isn't just a catchphrase, folks. It's part of the Satanic way of life.
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