A two thousand+ year old war continues to rage on. Can we stop it?
To suggest that the world has been at war for such a long time seems a bit preposterous. I could go into listing off all the actual wars that took place, but I want to peer into an area less examined, more covert and hidden. An area that I've been covering for months now and where nearly everyone is a participant without even realizing it.
The organizing principle of any society, Mr. Garrison, is for war. The authority of the state over its people resides in its war powers. - Agent X (JFK movie)
I've been exploring that relationship between the state and the people in terms of modern feudalism. When the king accepts the sworn fealty of a serf, they are granted certain rights and privileges within his kingdom. This grant is called a 'tenure' and it could be in regards to holding a specific privilege or land. But the tenure is always there. Without the tenure, there is no relationship. At that point, the serf is a servant to his master and owes him 'service'. A refusal to provide service would breach the sworn oath of fealty and the king would then remove all tenures, rights and privileges.
The king is always ready for war. When I peer into my Canadian Law Dictionary (fifth edition), I find a few interesting definitions:
"Tenure - Right to hold; manner of holding land or office.
1. In real property law, since the monarch is absolute owner of land, the possessor is a mere tenant and the mode of possession is tenure while the extent of the interest is his estate." ... - Canadian Law Dictionary
"Officer 1. A person invested with the authority of a particular position or office. The term embraces the idea of tenure" ... - Canadian Law Dictionary
Service 1. The condition, status, or occupation of a servant. 2. The condition of being a servant of a particular master. 4. The condition or employment of a public servant (of a sovereign or state) - Oxford Unabridged Dictionary (1958)
When we come of age, one of the first things we are told is to 'apply' for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) / Social Security Number (SSN). Now that card is issued with the birth certificate. Yikes! When we do that we are swearing fealty to the state / sovereign, promising that we will provide service through employment. In the past the department in Canada was called Human Resources Canada, but now it is called Service Canada.
This card is evidence of your tenure, proof that you owe your lord 'service'. Given that the states primary focus is war, it is not difficult to connect the two together to suggest you are now a part of the military industrial complex. Not sure of that connection? Well, when you have the card, you are an 'officer', one who holds a 'post', a place where a soldier is stationed. Still not convinced?
In scripture, there is a passage about the 'mark of the beast'.
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. - Rev 13:16
If I dig back a few thousand years, how did the Roman government keep track of their soldiers / centurions? I found this passage from a website dedicated to ancient roman culture and traditions. This is what they had to say about the 'mark'.
The Mark of the Legion
The historian Vegetius reports that before being entered into the records of the legion a soldier was given the 'military mark'. It is unclear if this mark was made by tattooing or branding. It purpose was clearly to prevent desertions, as it would make deserters far easier to identify. This practice also illustrates the steep decline in the status of the army in the fourth century. For in earlier times such marking of soldiers, apart from being painful, would have insulted the dignity of the men, and hence could have led to mutinies. Though in the changed, harsher setting of the fourth century such things appear to have been deemed necessary.
A decree in AD 398 which ordered the branding of workers in the imperial armament factories, suggests that by that time the practice of branding new soldiers was widespread. For it states that the 'national mark' should be branded onto the arms of these workers, 'in imitation of the branding of recruits'. It is most likely that the 'national mark' the text refers to would have been the famous letters SPQR which signified the Roman state.
- http://www.roman-empire.net/army/army.html
Anybody working for the state, whether that is directly by picking up arms or indirectly through their sworn fealty to serve their master by working with a SIN number, contributes to the war machine of the state. Two thousand years ago, the soldiers AND the workers were branded. The state does not resort to branding any more. They needed something more subtle and covert. They now use government issued id instead. It is the governments way of keeping track of their employees / workers / feudal serfs.
The SIN card belongs to the state (beast) and it is his mark, his name and his number. Most people have that number memorized (head) or turn it over upon demand (hand). If one is in possession of or uses the card, it is proof that one is a feudal serf holding office in the kings military industrial complex. It does not matter if you are flipping burgers at a fast food joint, drilling for oil or working with spreadsheets all day long. It all contributes to the war machine in one way or another.
Even if bombs are not dropping, the state is always in a position where it is preparing for war, even during supposed peace time. I rebuke any such idea that there as ever been 'peace' even after treaties were signed. Until we recognize our relationship with the king and refuse to provide service, resign our position as officer, refuse to hold a post and be peaceful, the war will rage on. The economy being the biggest engine for driving their machine.
I will be the first to admit that I am no expert on law or history. For me, the strings start to attach and that was enough for me to refuse service, return all the documents back and no participate in the war machine. Declaring peace was paramount and not participating in war is a huge part of being peaceful! I refuse to tug on those threads any more. If you want, you are welcome to look into these issues further.
I'll ask one question though. If what I share is not true, then citizens are also civilians and civilians are supposed to be protected under the Geneva Convention. However, if citizens are a part of the military, then that would explain why the allies could bomb the shit out of so many countries, killing millions of civilians and not get dragged in front of the Hague, charged with war crimes. What if the citizens are officers and as such have lost their protections from the Geneva Convention? It would not surprise me that these psychopaths have done something like this. But if we get out, we become a civilian (non-military) and we are then protected by the convention as the convention binds them. Just because one is a citizen, we can never assume that we are also civilians too! I think that is a very dangerous assumption to make. I also wonder if this also has an impact on what police can do as well. This topic raises some very interesting questions.
Something to contemplate. I wonder if I hit upon this by accident and that is why the military was forced to withdraw when I confronted them on their incursion last year. Only speculation as there is no way I can tell what they are thinking.
If you are new to my blog, you can read all about the exchange here and I recommend starting from the beginning.
https://steemit.com/ungrip/@wwf/confronting-the-canadian-military-for-their-violent-incursion
Hello @wwf really good article.I want to refer to George Orwells 1984 novel which inspired now very popular mainstream tv reality show called Big Brother. For me this is a perfect example of predictive programming and and metaphor for the lives we have been living for centuries noting new under the sky :). There onother very popular Orwell's novel The Farm referring us humankind as a life stock. War is the end game of this mind control and maniplation "Machine". Other example for predictive programing was the movie the Matrix use to be one of my favorite movies back in the days many people thought it is an eye opener. It deliberately "prepare" the viewers for the next level of controled disclosure - predictive programing :) becouse "they"(those one on top of the pyramid with the eye) cant hold the secrets so tight any more in the information age. how funny the tehnology they use to inslave us totaly come back to helps us to libarete ourselfs as the same happens again with cryptocurency second wave of the information age and next technolgical revolotion.
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” George Orwell
I think your choice of books and films is BANG ON!!!! I love them all, the Matrix being my all time favorite movie. Your views are very astute and on target! Well done.
Thanks :)
I read your exchange with the military. Kudos to you for getting a response and them using your Spiritual name! That is quite an honour and the concessions made proved them wrong in the first place. We had that once in Canada just before we moved. We woke up to the sounds of a helicopter flying over the house at the level of a few hundred feet. The children were terrified as was I. My husband and I got dressed to go out. We saw military vehicles parked outside the house and blocking the drive. Soldiers armed with guns were walking through the field to our woods.
My husband, being ex-military (he quit and found a better, non-violent way of life) demanded to speak with who ever was in charge. Some lowly Drill Sargent responded. Nope needed to speak to the actual commander in charge. This was not the operation of a drill Sargent.
A few minutes later, a very young and inexperienced Lieutenant came out from one of the vehicles blocking our drive. Unsatisfactory answers. It was a practice mission.
"You have papers giving you permission to use our land?" Yes, Sir! Well produce them. Can't Sir! They're classified.
Up the chain of command. A few phone calls later, we got an whoopsie. They had the wrong co-ordinates! If you believe that then I'm Sir John A.
They left in due course. We wrote letters as did our lawyer at the time. No apology, no compensation for damages to property. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Zip.
You were fortunate in your dealings with the establishment.
Wow. I am astounded at how these 'mistakes' can 'happen'. hint: I don't think they are mistakes either. I know from my own experience that the adrenaline starts to flow and the anxiety increases as a result. I wonder if the difference between your experience and mine was the position of citizen vs a spiritual being. One never can tell with these guys, but the outcomes are very different and that cannot be ignored.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It is amazing the things you have been through. Sounds like you need to write a book. ;)
Perhaps one day I will. I think I have a least three books rattling round in my head that need to be told, someday.
Sooner than later I hope. I get the feeling that you are an elder now, so time to tell your stories. <3
I am older and perhaps a little wiser and have lived enough for a few life times.
@wwf I'm really enjoying reading and participating in your posts but I have an honest question because the truth is I'm not informed enough on your culture.
Do any of the Canadian First people mark their young men with tribal identifiers upon entering manhood?.
I ask because some of our indigenous tribes in Australia do particular tribal scarification patterns , as well as many African cultures marking the man as being of fighting age and belong to a particular tribe.
If this is the case would you consider this to be any different from the branding of roman military.
To be clear, my ancestors came to Turtle Island from France in 1647. My blood is not of the blood of those who's ancestors were here for thousands of years. With that said, I am viewed as an ally and brother by many. That is how I got my spirit name and feather.
To answer your question: not that I've ever seen or noticed. The problem we face here is that their cultures, traditions, ceremonies and language was banned for many years. It is not until recently that they started to rejuvenate their culture and rebuild all that was lost. They are in a hurry to do that as the elders that remember the old ceremonies, language, customs and traditions are very old and will soon be gone. The genocide that occurred here almost nearly wiped them all out and they are just starting to rebuild now. But there is a lot of healing and education that has to happen on both sides for this to find remedy.
I would not associate tribal scars as branding of the roman military. It is a right of passage for the men to be warriors. I also don't view warriors as being an army but rather people with bravery to stand up and protect those who are vulnerable within their tribe. They are responsible for helping those individuals, whether it is to ensure they are clothed, feed, sheltered, etc. No war or violence is necessary for that type of dedication to their tribe.
Thanks for the response I guess like you said its your suggestion that people ready your back posts and if I had may have already known the answer to my question (by the way that's a lot of material).
Difference of opinion I guess, I figure if you disfigure flesh to identify a fighter either for tribe or larger tribe (government) their is no difference except where there is no consent which I'm sure happened in both the roman military and some manhood rights.
Forgive my ramble but I work really hard not to romanticise history, I refuse to believe in both noble and just knight with his bright and shining western culture and and the idealised noble savage living in perfect harmony.
On the up side your page is a fantastic resource to break the echo chamber but I'm yet to figure out if my cognitive dissonance is growing or decreasing.
You make a great point regarding disfiguring flesh. In my view, the flesh is a temple for my spirit and as such, I will do all I can to honour it, respect it and keep it sacred. If some cultures want to adorn it, then I see nothing wrong with that. To cut it up as a right of passage could be seen in the same light. However, as with anything, I also know people who cut it up to experience pain so that they can mask other pain. That is not okay.
I don't think you're rambling at all. I actually appreciate what you said and got me thinking too. If an individual does it for king and country then I think it is misguided and would fit in with the roman model. However, if it is a right of passage within their tribe or village, then would it be viewed as such? I'm not so sure. King and country are fictional constructs. The people within the tribe or village are real and those relationships are complex. Rights of passage are very important and we have gotten away from them in modern society as nobody grows up to be an adult any more. No need for a right of passage.
Branding before SIN numbers. I did not know this but it didn't surprise me. I have my number, I applied when I was 14 to work. I did the same for my 2 eldest, now there is no red and white card only paper with a number so I guess they are only supposed to recite it/write it down for future employers.
I have not applied for my youngest, but if I do not will she not be able to work? We are working towards ungriping. No bank accounts, loans or debt (mostly because we only have what we need and we barter) among other things.
Without the card you or your kids will not be able to work for the state or the corporations that the state controls. But that does not stop one from doing what they need to provide for the basic necessities of life. Is it more difficult? Absolutely. This path is not an easy one as the VAST majority are caught up in this war machine and they are at war. But there are ways around it.
Thank you for the help with navagating this White Walking Feather. I am going to read your book, I need to learn so much more.
go even further back and the first dictator was Nimrod. That’s probably 4000 years ago :)
Yup. Did Nimrod do similar tactics to mark his army? I've not done any research that far back, so I am not familiar with anything beyond Rome or Egypt.
There is not a lot of information about Nimrod other than “stories” or fables. One of the tests Abraham had to go through was being thrown into a fire pit used to make idols. He miraculously was saved. This was because he challenged the authority of the day (nimrod).
Egypt as well was extremely oppressive going so far as disposing of their own male babies (not just the hebrew) because the stars were showing a usurper of the kingdom was to come. We have no mark of the beast in our tradition but whether it was a tattoo from the nazis or just being born different I don’t think society has changed much. Perhaps there’s a “mark” of the beast in different iterations every generation.
And it seems, it is going to get worse. Looks like, soon, everyone will only be allowed to use electronic 'cash'. With that, they get total control. Once everyone is tied to banks, they can do whatever they want, drop negative rates so low that everyone with some kind of saving will be forced to spend them. (super rich don't need to worry, their wealth is not stored in savings accounts) Then, when you will want to buy yourself something bigger, you will have to ask for credit. Enslaving is coming.
I agree with your assessment. That is why I dedicated the first month of my blog to writing about live off grid, growing our own food, building our own shelter, collecting water, treating waste and all the stuff we will need for when 'money' becomes unavailable to those who refuse the mark. I'm not sure how long you have been following me, but you may want to start at the beginning and work your way up through my blog if you are interested in how we are doing it.
Fantastic post with great historical insight. I look forward to reading more of your blog and learning more about this complicated subject. The "branding" through the issuance and receipt of a SSN/SID card does indeed, as you've said, seem to place you at the whim of the overlords, whether we pretend we vote them in or otherwise. I think sadly, most people who aspire and succeed at higher levels of governance are exactly the type of people who by nature should never be allowed to govern. I fear, however, I don't follow completely your discussion on becoming a civilian. Is this a suggestion to relinquish the number/identity of the government to remove oneself from their control as a pawn of war? If so, how would one go about that? I've heard many stories of people who declare their own sovereignty only to be squashed and assimilated by the government they've scorned. While an excellent mental exercise, once one gives up the relationship, Hague or Geneva conventions are great in principle, but how would one ever access their protection without support of a protective body? These are fantastically interesting ideas, and I look forward to learning more. Thanks for the post.
Declaring peace is the key. I speak of it often. My whole blog is dedicated to that premise, along with being independent, self-governing and free. I also have my book 'Graduating Life with Honours' here on this blog as well that would most likely answer a lot of your questions.
I am curious. I am still on my learning track. I do not use government ID when I don't have to. But I need to use a passport when I travel. You have said that you have no government issued ID. Recently you travelled to California for a radio show. How do you cross without papers. If I could do this I would...
I did not travel to California, but rather did the show over skype. I don't travel across the fictional boundaries, although I suspect there is a way to do it. However, I have little desire to travel anyway, so the 'cost' to me is fairly low. But you are right, passports seems to be the BIGGEST issue as people want to travel. I trust that when the dust settles, there won't be any borders to worry about. Until then, there are costs associated to doing what I do. Some costs are steep depending on the benefits that you want to get from the state. Not too many people willing to forgo the passport. That one is a biggy for most.