I get ridiculed...

[Murkan Mike]

... for sitting here in Germany and trying to convince my buddies (all Murkans too) that "shooting the bastards" won't help.   There are so many frustrated people and friends who just don't know what to do.  I try and convince them that the ideas I hear on FTL and the convincing arguments that I hear are correct, and that violence only begets more violence, but most of the people I associate with are fed up with the police state, and they believe the only way to change things is through violence and aggression.

I tell them that aggression is what we are trying to prevent and stop, but they keep saying that we need to "Teach them a lesson"  and "show them we mean business".

I read them the blog that Dale wrote about the neighbor having more sheep than him, and they said that was good, but it won't be read by anyone in government and won't change any minds of those who are are making our lives miserable.  I explained that it wasn't meant to change Gummints mind, it was meant to change our minds.

I wish I had better communication skills to convince my buddies that we can't win anything through violence, but there are so many people who are desperate for any chance to change things, that I am afraid that non aggression won't stand much of a chance.

What arguments can I present them with that might convince them that there are other ways.  They ridicule me for thinking that the free state project might be a good start.  The most common argument is ".... and then what, VOTE in a smaller government?"


How should I respond?


Mike

[Alex Libman 15]

Why are you in Germany?

If you have to be in Europe, wouldn't Switzerland or Ireland make more sense?

[fatcat]

Why are you in Germany?

If you have to be in Europe, wouldn't Switzerland or Ireland make more sense?

Irelands way worse for taxes, guns and drugs. The only benefit is they don't have conscription which isn't an issue for immigrants.

As far as your friends, ask them for an example of how anything similar to this has ever worked, then run through with them the fact that the numerical differences are so huge, and the public support would be overwhelmingly against the crazy bomb throwing

If they're actually serious back the fuck away from them. Don't see them, don't speak to them, don't answer their calls, don't trade with them. You do not want to get hit with a conspiracy charge if they do go trigger happy, especially if you've had conversations covering this topic over the phone or internet.

[freeAgent]

I would turn the tables.  If the US (or Germany) was occupied by another government that killed some of your friends and neighbors, put all sorts of controls on your life (like curfews, checkpoints, etc.), and tried to install a puppet government in your country wouldn't you be angry?  If the foreign invaders stepped up their military operations and presence over time, would you get less angry?  What would your opinion of them be once they leave, especially if your country is still fucked up when they're gone?

[Terror Australis]

Why are you in Germany?

If you have to be in Europe, wouldn't Switzerland or Ireland make more sense?

Germany still has a large communist leaning population,Switzerland is being turned into the bitch of the US by turning over bank details and you could still be executed by the IRA in ireland.... or you can move to New Hampshire and smoke pot freely in the keene town square lol

[MacFall]

Well I was going to say some things but they've already been said.

So my advice is to dong-slap them until they agree with you.

[One two three]

People have guns in Germany?  Does the US government know about this?

[ciscokid1024]

I don't know what you can do. I just spent a week in Germany and it seems like a nice place. All you can do is keep trying to share and spread ideas and hope that some of them take root. It is not easy. I had two co-workers come with me and I thought it was funny that they call Germany a socialist country yet they tell me people have a right to health care. I try to explain to them, but they refuse to see the violence and will just stop listening to me. I find it sad and baffling, but I will try to put ideas out there in the hopes that some one will be interested and want to listen.

[Harry Tuttle]

Violence by individuals and very small groups would be useless and just get those individuals and small groups killed. Violence would never work until there was a large enough tide of people ready to stand up and resist. However, I think once that size is reached, non-violent noncooperation will likely be just as effective.

[hellbilly]

In order for any violence to come about from any size group there first must be a leader. People have become overdependent on leadership, so I expect all that is to come is just more muddling about and a lot of lip service. No one wants to catch the first bullet!

[libertylover]

Are you stationed in Germany and your circle of friends are other also stationed there?

 

[Murkan Mike]

I am not 'stationed' here, I was, but that was 30+ years ago.  I live here and my friends are a mixed group, Murkans, Germans, French and Brits.  We all seemed to collect towards one another from our anti gummint views.  We tend to weed out the statists and it is surprising how many people love liberty.

Hell, I can smoke all the weed I want right here, I don't need to move to Keene to do that.  I also don't have to pay as manytaxes as I do in Murka, especcially in NH, with the ourageous property tax. 

I thought about moving to NH, and may even actually do it one day, but right now, I just could not afford it, and would have to get way more money than I'm worth just to live, and pay the taxes.

Besides, you have WAY too many cops in NH.  I was there earlier this year for the liberty forum, and was amazed at how many cops were always snooping around.  It is just a recipe for an arrest, with so many cops everywhere.

Mike