The whole point of free speech is not to make ideas exempt from criticism but to expose them to it.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

About the votes on the slavery poll...

I would like to hear or see a fact about slavery that is not equivalent to an argument for its abolition. Two of the three votes so far claim the opposite. The third vote is mine. Incredible!

13 comments:

Bill Fleming said...

Your question is perhaps too broad, Bob.

Objectively speaking, here are lots of "facts" about slavery that don't necessarily argue for its abolition.

For example, "The English word slave derives - through Old French and Medieval Latin - from the medieval word for Slavic people of Central and Eastern Europe."

Or... "much of the original construction work in our nation's capital was done by slaves."

Bill Fleming said...

(...now, if Bob was like Sibby or Bob Ellis, he would accuse me of being "pro-slavery.")

Thad Wasson said...

Treat your slave as if he were your master. Good words to live by.

Bob Newland said...

Bill, in a sense, you are pro-slavery. You endorse slave-like submission to unconscionable government controls.

And Thad, in a sense, the slave IS the master. The slave's overseer must constantly watch his own back in fear of reprisal for his unconscionable acts.

Michael Sanborn said...

Slaves work better, have more stamina and are generally more energetic when they are well fed and get plenty of sleep.

Bob Newland said...

I am full of shit. However, that does not negate the fact that you endorse the welfare state, which subjects us all to slavery.

Bill Fleming said...

How so, Bob? If you don't want to work, don't. I don't see how that constitutes slavery.

Thad Wasson said...

Having a welfare state promoted by both sides of the aisle is slavery. Those conservative, freedom lovers that are left are the ones that are not filled with apathy brought to you courtesy of the nanny state.

Thad Wasson said...

Bill - Are you in favor of the downtown business district tax? It will never be more than $3000 dollars a year. The mayor appoints a board to oversee the funds and use of the tax revenue. I prefer having those taxpayers vote in their own board. We don't want taxation without representation...and also having to kiss the ring of the mayor.

Bob Newland said...

Persuading a slave he is not a slave is a brilliant tactic. It's a big step beyond the Jim Crow sharecropping scam perpetrated on former slaves during Reconstruction.

The new masters take over 60% of the fruits of our labors, make us buy food, clothes, housing and incidentals out of what's left over, and many of us lick their hands in gratitude for their generosity.

HeyYou said...

I had a grandmother that really believed slavery was not such a bad thing. Luckily that attitude died with her and she didn't pass it on to any of her grandkids.
Sad that it takes generations of social evolution to oust such disgusting ideas.

Taunia said...

Bob, if you consider yourself a slave, and you're actually a "free man" in the slave/owner relationship, what do you call the slave?

Bob Newland said...

Sorry, Taunia, I don't understand your question.

I am a slave to the extent I participate in the "system." I avoid participation to the degree possible for me.

I do not advocate slavery for anyone, and try to avoid situations in which I become part of the problem, although that is not entirely possible.