“Pro” and “Anti” Extremists Dominate Almost All Debates About the Use of Vaccinations

The following correspondence originally took place upon my Facebook wall, after a mutual acquaintance inexplicably posted an article that I was in the very process of debating on the wall of an ex-acquaintance, in what seemed like a concerted effort to distract me from continuing to reply, there…

Stephen K.: Thanks, Brian!

The Anti-Vaccine Movement: A Terrible Track Record
https://jdc325.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/the-anti-vaccine-movement-a-terrible-track-record/

Brian K.: I posted this on my own feed a few days ago and we’ve been having an interesting “debate”

(provides link to debate taking place on his wall)

(update: debate is now concluded, and a copy is located at: http://acidrayn.com/2013/05/11/force-frame-vaccination-discussion-into-false-dichotomy-of-pro-versus-anti-or-present-unique-third-option/)

Rayn: And, due to that same “debate,” I am beginning to believe that so much of the “controversy” regarding vaccines really comes from “gut-reaction” responses to the subject, along with the push to frame all debates on the topic into the false paradigm of “pro-vaccination” versus “anti-vaccination” – an activity that has taken CENTER STAGE, over the facts! Strangely, there appears to be no room in the minds of these two extremist groups for individuals to be somewhat pro-vaccination, while also somewhat anti-vaccination, and, they are FAR from interested in understanding the reasons behind viewpoints that don’t correspond 100% with their own. It’s ALL OR NOTHING in their minds. Both of these “sides” could use a lesson in respect, as well as THE RULES OF LOGICAL DEBATE!

Alison K.: I seem to picking up on the tail end of this. But to address Rayn – I am one of the people you speak of, who is both ‘pro’ and ‘anti’. My son is up to date on all vaccines except two – I am against them for different reasons and it has nothing to do with the autism/allergy debate. For certain things I feel it should be the parent’s choice. And if it means my son cannot attend traditional public school – then so be it. I’ve remained unimpressed with traditional schooling for a long time anyway.

 

 

Legitimate Government MUST Be Consensual and Contractual

The following correspondence originally took place here, on the Facebook page, “Liberty Evolution“…

Liberty Evolution: An interesting take on it. Most of your day is based on consensual interaction, so Voluntaryism isn’t all that far-fetched. Stay optimistic, friends.

"This is anarchy Can you imagine if your relationships were coerced?"

“This is anarchy
Can you imagine if your relationships were coerced?”

Rayn: Indeed! I often tell others that my government must be like my marriage in order to be legitimate: consensual and contractual!

State-Run Programs for the Poor, or Individual Responsibility for Helping Those in Need?

The following debate originally took place on my Facebook wall, upon my post, “Paying Taxes Will NEVER Qualify as Giving to “Charity””

Rayn: Wake up to the illegitimacy of coercion!

"It's amazing to me how many people think that voting to have the government give poor people money is compassion. Helping poor and suffering people yourself is compassion. Voting for our government to use guns to give money to help poor and suffering people is immoral self-righteous bullying laziness. People need to be fed, medicated, educated, clothed, and sheltered. If we're compassionate, we'll help them, but you get no moral credit for forcing other people to do what you think is right. There is great joy in helping people, but no joy in doing it at gunpoint." - Penn Jillette

“It’s amazing to me how many people think that voting to have the government give poor people money is compassion. Helping poor and suffering people yourself is compassion. Voting for our government to use guns to give money to help poor and suffering people is immoral self-righteous bullying laziness. People need to be fed, medicated, educated, clothed, and sheltered. If we’re compassionate, we’ll help them, but you get no moral credit for forcing other people to do what you think is right. There is great joy in helping people, but no joy in doing it at gunpoint.” – Penn Jillette

Brian K.: But for the people in need of being fed, medicated, educated, clothed, and sheltered it’s all the same. Self-righteous joy and moral credit (kind of defeats the purpose of altruism) is a luxury. I think their immediate needs are greater than leaving it to the chance of charity and some generous volunteers.

Rayn: Hmm… I have a quick question for you, Brian. Have you ever been one of the “people in need” that you refer to? Well, I have – and, I can say for certain that the various forms of assistance out there in this world are not “all the same,” as you claim. This is true no matter how dire the individual situation at hand. And, forcing an apathetic public to finance a corrupt, soulless institution (whether the “State,” or otherwise), purely in the HOPE and FAITH that a lack of direct concern for (and interest in) the ACTUAL welfare of others will miraculously translate into anything other than systemic ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND FRAUD… Those individuals are living in a PURE FANTASY LAND!

My experiences have long ago opened my eyes to the fact that those hired by the State to “aid” the needy not only loath the poor and destitute, but also actively seek to punish, demean, degrade, demoralize, and strip the dignity of those they are duty-bound to assist. State aid for the poor is nothing more than a rotten fraud, and a dismal failure – giving the apathetic an excuse not to help those in need (nor, to lift so much as a finger, or to get their own hands dirty, for that matter), and the sadly misinformed, yet good-intentioned, a reason not to act!

(Click Here to Continue Reading This Post)

Should “Good Ideas” Be Mandatory, or Is Such Coercion Just Another Form of Slavery?

The following debate originally took place on my Facebook wall, upon my post, “Good Ideas Don’t Require Force!“…

Rayn: Apparently, the authoritarians among us will continue to arrogantly force their “great ideas” upon us, because REASON and CONSENT are not as important to them as BLIND FAITH and COMPLIANCE!

It’s time for Individuals to wake up, and reject ALL FORMS OF COERCION as illegitimate!

"Good ideas don't require force"

“Good ideas don’t require force”

Jonas A.: That’s right! No “brown” nosing to get us to work for free!  😛

Brian K.: That assumes most people would be smart enough to recognize the good ideas.
“We must view with profound respect the infinite capacity of the human mind to resist the introduction of useful knowledge.”
Thomas R. Lounsbury

Genaire: Brian how would we measure ones intelligence… an iq test? I know several people that would do extremely well on an iq test yet would be unable to survive without the aide of others. I also know several people in school that consider themselves to be very intelligent yet have not tested this intelligence outside the sheltered environment of a classroom. Then one has to ask himself what overlord would one place in charge of determining this said intelligence the government? I know of governments that deemed unintelligent people worthy of extermination. In a free society however one does not have to worry themself about those arrogant few who deem themselves intelligent enough to decide what a good or bad idea may or may not be.

(Click Here to Continue Reading This Post)

Pe☮ce, L♥ve and Voluntaryism Through Self-Ownership

As I scrolled through my Facebook news feed, I discovered the following artwork here, being shared by the page, “Liberty Evolution,” and originally posted it to my own wall, along with commentary…

"Be true to yourself and prepare to be amazed. Discover yourself and freedom shall discover you." (facebook.com/LibertyEvolution) (facebook.com/Voluntaryists)

“Be true to yourself and prepare to be amazed. Discover yourself and freedom shall discover you.” (facebook.com/LibertyEvolution) (facebook.com/Voluntaryists)

My CommentaryPe☮ce, L❤ve and Voluntaryism through Self-Ownership!