I have a different vision for this place. It isn't mine; I am a guest here and happy to be one. This is nothing more than my opinion.
Let me start by quoting the first few paragraphs from Elias's
Mission Statement My selections are made for emphasis and not to disparage anything I have omitted.
The Mental Militia is not a formal organization, it is an association of conscientious people who value freedom and liberty in the widest context. We like that brand of Liberty which was originally expounded by the authors of the United States Declaration of Independence.
Mentalitians are people who believe that "consciousness works!", and who prefer the art of reason over violence as a solution to international, national, societal, and cultural problems. We see an apparent and lucid truth in the wisdom of dispelling illusions of mass-mentality by first coming to know and to understand the content of one's mind. We feel that a healthy, integrated, well-oriented mind produces a physical rendering in actions and deeds within society and culture which reflect the unity and cohesiveness of peace, love, and happiness.
The Mental Militia presupposes that to achieve a healthy mind in today's "civilized" world, anyone might begin by accumulating a wide and diversified field of truthful knowledge. Therefore, The Mental Militia seeks the gathering of diverse thought, historic fact, philosophical view, intuitive and creative thinking, emotional input, and analysis of public events involving spirituality, psychology, economics, cultural mores, governance, and politics.
There is really nothing to join with TMM except the exploration of ideas and how they effect your inner-most self. We are simply a growing number of people who confer in cyberspace and stimulate intellectual/psychological growth between ourselves as we discuss, argue, debate, and celebrate the spectrum of Liberty-related premises and theories.
In summary:
- value freedom and liberty
- reason over violence
- accumulating a wide and diversified field of truthful knowledge
- celebrate the spectrum of Liberty-related premises and theories
That is why I am here. I come to learn. I share what I know. I've made hard money and economics my specialty, places where I'm more likely to start a discussion or respond than elsewhere, where I regularly update long-running threads. I find that trying to teach about a subject is a great way to find the limits to my own knowledge.
I participate whenever and wherever I have something to add that I think might be valuable. For every post that I make, I read 20 or more; because I come here to learn.
The bullet points above are important to me. I want to associate with others who value freedom, who eschew violence, seek truth, and know the spectrum of liberty-related theories.
That's not to say that I want everyone to agree with me. That would be boring and pointless.
If Elias directs the Oath Keepers here, how many will join? Paretto's rule suggests that if Elias sends the message, or creates the link, whatever, 20% of the membership may notice. Of that 20%, 20% might follow the link. Of that, 20% may explore of the forum. Of that, 20% might join and participate. In the end, I would expect 0.16% of the membership to show up, give or take. If there are 55,000 members, I'm estimating 88 new members.
If I'm right, this won't do so much to help Elias sell tee shirts or coffee mugs, or otherwise get financial rewards. But 88 new members would certainly change the complexion of this place.
Let's say I'm wrong, it happens often enough. Lets say instead of 88 new members we get 5 times that number, 440 new members. Elias might get what he seeks.
But I will leave. I've made my opinion of Oath Keeper's known here. Use the search function if you are interested. My summary: I don't associate with thugs and criminals, with people who use violence to get their way. See those bullet points again. I don't care what costumes they wear or what bangles they've been issued. The name on their paycheck does not alter the morality of their actions. I want nothing to do with them. When accosted in the street by a costumed thug, I will always attempt to walk away. The same applies here.
There are some here who used to be in that class, saw the light, and renounced their evil ways. Elias is one. Gooch is another. I count these men as friends, and I admire them. I admire anyone who walks the path of liberty, even if they came here from a path I abhor.
If this place is overrun with jackboots, cops, thugs, soldiers, people whose job is being paid with stolen money to beat, cage, torture, rob, and kill others, I will leave.
This is not a threat. I am not angry as I write. I'm trying to express what I find valuable about TMM, why I've poured so many hours into pounding a keyboard and reading others thoughts posted here.
I suggest that there is a place for a Mental Militia that follows Elias vision as written, and a place for trying to teach active-duty cops, soldiers, inspectors, bureaucrats, and politicians about liberty. I think those are two different places.
Peace,
Silver
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