Edward Snowden was a BOB

[Despanan]

[Phantomgrift]

Pffft. Don't get me wrong Desp.

What I'm eluding to is the opinion that your pipe-dream is little more than that. A overzealous pipe-dream wherein you magically wake up the whole of America to a completely different concept of life than what's been practiced for hundreds of years, and you somehow serve as a benevolent figurehead that helped establish and lead the entire thing, like some manner of counter-revolutionary Mary Sue.

Under those same far-flung abstracts, in such a goofy scenario, I would have retired from the military well before the fact, and seize upon your uprising as an attempt to cause as much chaos towards the socialist-leaning hippies threatening to topple the America I knew, loved, and fought for, etc. etc. *insert old-vet-political-flag-waving-here*.

I mean, you're posturing and fantasizing about radically overthrowing the current government and establishing a new, radically different alternative under the assumption that everyone would just be happy as pigs in shit to go along with. That's certainly not out of left field or anything... Is it?

See, you fail to grasp a basic behind the ideals of political science. People have been claiming that capitalism is not long for the world.... Unfortunately, they've also been claiming this since shortly after America was founded. Sure, technology changes, but old habits of human nature die hard. Why, in a not-surprising at all turn of events, labor union groups have come out in protest against Obamas healthcare plan. Mind you, these were groups that supported it until they realized how many questions it left unanswered.

So I think that's what I find the most entertaining from you.
You have this solid belief that big change is coming down the immediate pipeline, much in the same way I can see people in society convinced with absolute certainty that we're going to have a Zombie apocalypse within the next thirty years.

Now, if the move towards socialism comes around in a hundred years or so? Great, I'll successfully be dead, and you and others our age will most likely be in such as state as well. My son will most likely grow up hating anyone that dares to tell him "freedom" stems from working hard and giving it to everyone else, regardless of how hard they worked for it. However it goes, I won't be around to see it.

So all of it again, boils down to your belief that America will suddenly and magically move to true socialism in the very near future.
And you try to claim I'm fantasizing?

[Phantomgrift]

Incidentally, stuff to ponder:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_r ... rebellions

You will find a noteworthy trend for almost all of these.
They all involved major bloodshed, took part in relative third-world shit-holes, and were either drastic failures, short-lived, or only served to introduce a more violent regime than the previous one.

What, dear Desp, would make yours any different? What would somehow separate your dream from every other historical rebellion or uprising? I mean, I know you're somehow against violence unless it's needed per your definition, and you tend to think a great more people will be onboard with your ideals than historic reality would argue against, but really... What magic plan, short of you going into politics, would somehow introduce your fictional and idealized utopia overthrow where the keys to the kingdom are simply handed to you, no questions ask, no blood spilled?

Unless you have that classic viewpoint most conspiracy theorists hold wherein you KNOW that it's going to happen someday, by means best left to God, 'magination and wishful thinking, but when it does... BY Jove! You'll show the world how right you were! Just.... waiting for that moment.

Someday.
Yeah...

[dexeron]

[Phantomgrift]

I answer "LOL HAHA" to Desp's calls for revolution, because they are about as absurdly sardonic as my calls for post-apocalyptic dystopia.

Reform is needed and the most likely to take place. How, where and over how much of a timeframe is difficult to place, but more backed by historical reference. Some things change slowly, others gradually adapt in a social shift as the culture drives the need. America is, if nothing else, a nation founded on reform as merited by the people.

Desp, on the other hand, catches a grand deal of my mockery because he doesn't want reform. Oh, he may talk about it, but reading his postings and you can see that he dreams of an idealized sweeping revolution where he and his fellows will be lauded and praised like modern day Che Guveras. That notion alone is as equally far-fetched as my idealistic dream of a nuclear-blasted wasteland where only small enclaves survive, fending off independents, raiders and outlaws.

[Despanan]

[Phantomgrift]

I'm sure you're ability to hike far distances will be without peer when the time of revolution is upon us.

[Despanan]

My ability to traverse long distances over remote terrain on foot is already without peer - but that's not what I'm talking about when I talk about education, and you know that. Stop being immature.

[Phantomgrift]

I'm not being immature, I'm being snarky.

Desp, it's grown increasingly difficult to sway peoples opinions over the internet on a given topic, much less in person. I'm honestly curious as to why you think that during a "revolution", somehow this will lend you a magical air of credibility that will have people taking your words to heart?

[Agent]

what if he wears a beret when he talks