If you’ve been following my work for any real stretch of time, it’s clear that I have seemingly endless issues with the practice of political crusading. Whether it’s on principle alone or more of a utilitarian approach, there’s always a damn good reason to be against it.
That said, this morning, a reader/listener sent me the link to a campaign – that campaign is a petition on Change.org, calling for “Clemency for Ross Ulbricht, Serving Double Life for a Website.”
As I’ve said before, to me, Ross is a hero – in this long-term fight for freedom, there will be many more like him. When one directly challenges the State, it’s not surprising when they end up swept up and hauled off to a government dungeon. This is something Ross’ understood too, as he knew the nature of his enemy.
So, what’s my position on this?
Well, principles don’t change overnight or they aren’t principles; they don’t vary from situation to situation, lest one fall prey to some sort of relativism or subjectivism. Additionally, petitions are just another form of begging the masters – it is political crusading, NOT taking the initiative yourself to create your own freedom (AKA direct action).
I get the last ditch desperation here. No hope was found in the (IN)justice system and I can certainly understand that Ross’ parents want him to be freed and they will do damn near anything in their power to make that happen. Certainly, I want him freed too, but Ross’ situation is a bit different than Steven and Dwight Hammond’s (referring to Dolan J. Tramp’s recent pardon).
Although, I hope I’m wrong, as I was with the Hammonds and the majority of defendants from the subsequent takeover and occupation of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in 2016.
In summation, I will not be signing the petition, but this is one of the few times that I will not dissuade others from doing so – the loss of time is minimal and there is no financial expense. I just figured I’d toss in my two cents on the subject.
What do you think? Am I off-base here? Am I making a mountain out of a molehill? Feel free to reply to this and let me know!
I signed it. I also understand your perspective, though, and tend to share it. This time I just viewed it as something that probably won't accomplish anything ("snowball's chance in hell"), but if it did, would be good for Ross. It doesn't seem qualitatively the same as voting to force my whims on others via a politician. I guess it is begging, though. Hmmm.
I don't have any more respect for "the system" than I did before (zero). Just figured, "why the hell not." I could be out of line with my own principles here, too, though. Not really sure.
Good post.
I don't mind begging in this case. Seems sly as a fox to me.
Right. Like I said, it's not like it was a major waste of time or money, nor was it in anyway comparable to the political crusading I know we both despise, @kafkanarchy84. For what it's worth, you're still good in my book! Haha.
Right! I have a junk email address just for purposes like this ;p
The only really useful purpose to signing such petitions is to let the government goons know that there is popular dissent. Unfortunately, it has no long-term strategic use since it just means they'll divert their tyrannical efforts to things with less popular opposition.
That, or it's simply a way for the slaves to feel like "they got their voice heard." It's a venting outlet, in my humble opinion. I don't think anyone really believes important "change" is actually going to be made through digitally signing a petition. Lol.
I saw that post this morning, too, and had some similar thoughts. As much as I would like to see Ross freed, begging your masters is begging your masters. Like you, I won't fault anyone for signing but me doing so would go against what I've been preaching for years.
Yep, exactly, man!
Yea the way I see it, you could sign it or not sign it. It's not going to make a difference either way.
Why has it to be on change.org of all places?
Isn't it a known antifa-sympathizer site which uses the names and addresses put in for their own purposes?
I don't know the answers to either of those questions, unfortunately. The latter one wouldn't surprise me though.
I dont think change.org and similar sites "change" anything. And they are not directly about being political or politica sensitive. Thats for sure people should put more interest in political and social issues and again definitely people who think similar should be able to move together even in digital world but change.org fashion movements not worthy in my opinion. The main reason for my suggestion is these kind of "clicability" brings passiveness in the end. People start to think they do react politically but actually they just satisfy themselves and move on their lives. PLus change.org style websites gather pretty good amounth of information about crowds, regions, groups and individuals. So there is a big data which many organizations would be very hungry for it and we cant estimate why and how they will use that big data. The information collected obtanined by whom is a big question mark. Dramatically we give these information by our own hands in the name of taking action, being political or satisfying our conscience.
I agree 100%. Whoa. The Big Data angle was not one I'd thought about, strangely enough, considering I'm a huge advocate of privacy/security culture. Not good.
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