Brazil Woke Up: What Americans Can Learn From The So-Called “Vinegar Revolt”

Townhall.com ^ | June 23, 2013 | Austin Hill

[Daveinyork]

Another take http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324577904578561830226825770.html?mod=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Darticle

[grania]

I hope it doesn't come to nation-destroying revolt.

There's a potential unintended consequence of the feds mad frenzy to capture Snowden that makes me nervous, though. That would be that the really good hackers are going to find ways to evade government scrutiny and communicate. That could potentially create mob environments like happened in Cairo and Istanbul, for example.

[Salgak]

Simply, MacGyver NEVER did things the simple way. . .

[redgolum]

Most of the GOP is on the side of the fascists.

Sad.

[null and void]

Those slots are reserved for a Nevadan and a Californian, pal.

[roofgoat]

knarf - one of the most honest, accurate posts ever on a conservative sight. Everyone should read it and meditate on it.

I have written similar thoughts and even discussed them, but it falls on deaf ears. Most just don’t want to admit how dire these times are and what it would take to turn things around.

Let me add. We keep asking folks to step up and have the courage to take on the corrupt evil that is enslaving our Country. I look at it this way. Why, as a politician, am I going to stand up and take on the regime when only a tiny percentage of the citizens will have my back.

Lots of talk and griping, but no action. Unfortunately it will require hands on action and I just don’t see it happening. As you stated, we have been terrorized by many sources (Govt, LE, MSM, Academic Institutions, Minority/Special Interest/Race Identity Groups, Pop Culture, etc).

[ecomcon]

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation...

All we have to do is say it and do it.

[Biggirl]

I saw a preview of what could happen in the fall with the recent protest down in DC by folks in the tea party movement last week, resurging, the tea party wise. That is the best case situation.

The worse case is what you had mentioned, what we are seeing now in the Middle East.

[ecomcon]

I doubt they are protesting because they want more Democracy. More likely the government isn’t Socialist/Communist enough to their liking.

Exactly. And why Obamas high negatives don't mean much.

[chrisser]

Even the founders recognized it takes time for the citizenry to have had enough.

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security"

[Buckeye McFrog]

In all seriousness, Brazilians have discovered the utility of keeping the government AFRAID of them.

Our population on the other hand has long forgotten.

[Biggirl]

Last week’s anti-IRS tea party protest gathering was simply a preview that the upcoming fall season will be America’s time to stand up to out-of-control government.

[urbanpovertylawcenter]

Vinegar? My 7 yr old was expelled for going to school with a box of animal crackers.

Principal said lions, elephants, and hippos must not be taken into the school room and are banned like pop tarts eaten into the shape of a gun!

Is there no limit to the insanity?

Oh, he threatened a little girl with a crocodile shaped cookie, told her it would bite her.

The entire class is in therapy for PTSD over the entire incident.

[expat1000]

bookmarked

[roofgoat]

good point chrisser. The question is, too early or too late, both will have bad consequences to put it mildly.

Just like if you are offroading with your 4wd truck/suv.

Too much gas pedal on a steep, rocky climb - you break something.

Too little gas, you get stuck.

You need the right amount of gas which is easier said then done. Plumbing regarding how tight would be another analogy.

[Rusty0604]

Are you serious?

[chrisser]

You're so right. I don't know the answer, but I have a feeling we're past the point of no return.

It seems likely that Jefferson was right about the blood of patriots as well as tyrants. Hopefully they'll be more of the latter.

I think what complicates things this time around, is that much of the tyranny is "for our own good". That doesn't make it any less tyrannical, but it's hard for most of us to resort to revolution against people who, although misguided and power hungry, seem to mean well (or at least put forth that illusion successfully).

But that always reminds me of Lewis:
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

[chrisser]

they’ll => there’ll

[Brooklyn Attitude]

“If that seems overly cynical, think about this: how difficult is it, really, to imagine that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security might one day forbid the public possession of vinegar, claiming that the substance has become a “public safety threat?”

In New America carrying a set of nail clippers on a plane can get you arrested as a terrorist.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Simply, MacGyver NEVER did things the simple way. . ."

Yeah, like use a GUN. If by chance, he disabled an armed bad guy, he NEVER picked up the guy's weapon. Didn'l LIKE guns, don't y'know.