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Define Your Terms Sir

 Freedom Freedom is a state. One is either free or they are governed. They cannot be both. There is no sliding scale. If one is said to be "less free", this is simply an admission that this person is not free at all. Even while such a phrase may be perfectly fine in terms of English grammar, it doesn't capture the truth of the matter that such a person is not free in any sense that doesn't undermine the meaning of the word. A dog on a chain is not free. No matter how long a chain maybe the animal is governed by the length of said chain. It is proper however to say that a dog on a longer chain has more liberty than a dog on a shorter one. Given a choice between a longer chain and freedom, I suppose most dogs would rather be free. This brings me to my next word. Liberty Liberty is not Freedom. These terms should never be conflated. Liberty is a right restored to a slave or a subject either permanently or for a limited duration by a master, ruler, or owner, and may be re
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Are You Free?

 A few weeks ago, I was talking to a former Marine at the local laundry mat. We were talking about current affairs, when out of nowhere, he says, "I think we should do like Isreal and make kids spend two years in the military." I told him, "Once you start coercing people into the military, you're no longer a free people." He said. "We aren't free now." I said, "Bingo!". I am a freedom advocate. If you know me in real life, you know that. It is pretty black and white; One is either free or governed. You cannot be both. People should be free. As a veteran myself, I understand patriotism; How it colors our view of the state. After all, we live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Right? Yet, "citizens" require a license for almost anything important. Want to open a business; you'll need a business license. Want to hunt for food? You'll need a hunting license. Want to marry your sweetheart? You'll need a ma
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