M.K. Gandhi while serving in the Ambulance Corps during the Boer War (1899) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Gandhi is purported to have said something of the sort.
Since the term “liberal” was co-opted by marxists in the early 20th century, and the term “libertarian” has more or less taken on the meaning that it used to have, I have noticed a few things:
First, that libertarianism, for many decades, has been ignored–barely a blip on the national radar, so to speak.
Second, that something has changed regarding these erstwhile liberals now called libertarians. They have moved well away from obscurity, and in the last five years, seem to have moved rapidly through the mockery stage. Naturally this type of mockery indicates fear–but this is another issue altogether.
Now, however, libertarians, individualists, (classical) liberals–call them what you may–are being actively fought. This is quite a change, considering that a mere 10 years ago such people seemed to have been settled into the obscurity phase of the Gandhi quote (paraphrase, or misquote.) I can only feel encouraged by this as I feel individual liberty is of paramount importance: and not just to me, but to everyone–even the enemies of such liberty.
If one scans the posts in the WP reader tagged “libertarian,” one might find about three hit pieces for every one genuine libertarian blog post. This, at least, is what I found in my admittedly short, non-scientific sample. In any case, such is not a group of posts that can be “followed” blindly, by any means.
The enemies of individual liberty taking part in these attempts at disinformation, denigration, obfuscation, or misdirection should perhaps take heed that stage 4 of the Gandhi attributed quote (paraphrase, &c) is just around the corner.
Related articles
- The Liberty Movement Under Attack! (libertywatchlist.com)
And having clicked on the above article, I was quite amazed at the synchronicity of another article which begins with the very same Gandhi reference–perhaps properly quoted and sourced. The above article is of course based on more concrete examples of this, rather than the result of my own proclivity for pattern recognition. I did not include more related articles because I did not think my whimsical little article warranted vetting them all–especially since only one in three is a genuine….
Well… you get the idea, I think.
David Emeron: Sonnets 
If a corporation pollutes a water supply and ten thousand people die, I can get most libertarians to say, by and by… “Well, then nobody will buy that corporation’s crap, and they’ll go out of business in a snap. As for the ten thousand, well, death is just a real long nap.” ( I’ll admit I’m a bitter chap, because long ago Ayn Rand gave me the clap )
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Of all the screeds that I have written (between mostly love sonnets) this is the only one that has generated such a response. As the saying goes:
I rest my case.
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Good. I’m outa here.
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Interesting article. Unfortunately for Gandhi the next phase was and then you die. Misinformation is the weapon of choice these days. Your previous comment is a fine example of what is happening in the world, an this country. I like to visit your blog. Happy blogging !
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I’m not sure Gandhi added that last, but he did, in fact, win. India earned its independence from the British as did Pakistan, much as we did in the US, although I am less than an expert in these matters. Thank you for the visit, your poetry is quite lovely.
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Thank you for responding. Even though life seems predestined, and or prophesied at times I like to imagine someone might twist the plot of these Captains and Kings with their bloody schemes.
Have a great day.
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This is very true, I think. I do think I see signs of it here and there… oh… wait, that was regarding Cabbages and Kings ; )
As far as Gandhi is concerned. Many people and causes tend to “claim” him, as it were; however he was a unique and complicated man, and as such, he is, in truth, very difficult to pigeon-hole. I find him very interesting although what I know about him I have learned in a very roundabout way.
And a great day to you as well : )
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I was thinking of Captains and Kings by Taylor Caldwell, however Cabbages and kings does seem appropriate.
Laughing now. Bye
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: )
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