A Flag Afire

A Flag Afire
By Ken Nichols O’Keefe <uksociety@hotmail.com>
http://educate-yourself.org/cn/kennicholsflagafire04oct02.shtml
October 4, 2002

"With your citizenship renouncement, you held the high ground and were in a position to argue a very legitimate constitutional issue."
Regardless of what I do as a means of political protest, the Constitutional merits of what I have done remain the same. In fact, if the Constitution is indeed the "supreme Law of the Land" than it would protect me even in my protest. If it is not, than I say that the burning of a flag is the last thing the American people should be concerned about. I cannot/will not pander to those who waive the flag while extolling jingoism’s that would have made Hitler proud, nor will I pander to those who find irrational offense at an act of civil disobedience. I am reaching out to the minority who know the stakes and consciously shocking those who are asleep.
"Guard against the postures of pretended patriotism" - George Washington
The Constitution is in fact worthless right now, and has been for well over a century. America can thank the traitors who passed the post Civil War ‘Reconstruction Act’ (July 8, 1864), which was akin to defecating on the much praised but little honored Constitution. To his credit President Andrew Johnson opposed the act with his veto power and had this to say about it:
"I have examined the Bill to provide for more efficient government of the rebel states with the care and anxiety which its transcended importance is calculated to awaken. I am unable to give my assent for reasons so grave that I hope a statement of them may have some influence on the minds of the patriotic and enlightened men with whom the decision must ultimately rest." – Johnson’s plea to Congress to uphold his veto of the act; which of course they did not.
The Reconstruction Act stole the heart of America with the stroke of a pen and unending Martial Law is the end result thus far. This act has never been repealed and it is the naïve folly of American’s to revere a Constitution that was stolen from them by their so-called "leaders" long ago. America is, and has been under Martial Law since 1864. The Constitution is paraded before the sleeping masses in show trials like that of Enron executives, but make no mistake about it, Americans only have Constitutional Rights when the facade is in danger of being exposed.
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." - Abraham Lincoln
So true,… and never so much as right now. If I shock people in my actions than it is my sincere hope that this shock will lead to awareness of the fact that traitors are among them. But a distinction among flags becomes necessary, you perhaps have noticed the gold-fringed flags that are placed within all courts in the US which are different from the ones you see flying in front of Johnny Patriots house next door. These gold-fringed flags are the military standard and when courts, Congress, the executive branch, etc. are openly flying these flags, almost condescendingly, they are in fact "open and notoriously" operating under Martial Law. Therefore any pretense to "Constitutional Rights" is merely for show. It is a brilliant fraud really, operating right under the noses of dupes liking themselves to patriots. I should know what it is to be a dupe, I have been there and done that and I am not so proud as to deny my ignorance.
"We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people." - President John F. Kennedy
Indeed many "fear" my "alien philosophy." But I have nonetheless joined the battle to expose the fraud that enslaves our minds and threatens our future in the most grave of ways. There is no polite or diplomatic way for me, my path is unique to me and I honor it as I do my life. I have felt no enticement to conventional methods; instead I have sought to confront on my own terms. I have captured through hidden video cameras my "Constitutional Rights" being flagrantly denied in a "court of law" by judges who are supposedly sworn to uphold the Constitution. Among the rights I can prove do not exist are Article I, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, & XIV of the Bill of Rights. And it is a gold-fringed flag that provides the mandate of the tyrants in black robes. Ever wonder why the US Constitution is not taught in any meaningful way in public schools yet the "pledge of allegiance" is recited by our children to a piece of cloth every day?
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman."
--Thomas Paine
I have defied courts and acquired official court transcripts that prove once again that civil rights are a myth in America. But that is just me, take a look on the Internet and you will find more than enough proof of what I say. In fact, not only did the Reconstruction Act strip away all that America was blessed with by the stroke of the pen, but since then the damage has increased. FDR’s "Emergency War Powers Act" of 1933 further stripped away rights, as did Truman’s "Emergency War Powers Act" of 1950. Add to that the "Patriot Act" of 2001 and more and you have full-fledged Martial Law ruling in the "Land of the Free."
"Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand here idle? What is it that Gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" – Patrick Henry
I have conducted many "extreme" actions in my life, yet never have I harmed a sole in these political acts, which begs the question; what is "extreme’? I can recall that most have dissuaded or denounced my actions such as renouncing US citizenship or burning my passport, but in these acts I feel no regret, instead I feel solace of the soul. Other people may judge these things as they wish, this is no matter to me. I will always encourage people to follow their heart and exercise their freedom. So long as our acts do no injury to the rights of others and are combined with the wisdom of truth, I am confident progress towards justice will result.
"A regard for reputation and the judgment of the world may sometimes be felt where conscience is dormant." -Thomas Jefferson
If I had relinquished my actions to the whims of others I would have become paralyzed as most are right now. But believe me when I tell you that my decisions are based on the understanding that we as a human family are flirting with World War III and total global annihilation, given that, what the hell is the fuss in burning a flag? Talk about irrational sensitivities and twisted priorities. When emotional attachment is greater for a piece of cloth than human life itself a shock to the system is well in order. Flags are easily reproduced, life is not. Burning a flag is non-violent, destroying life is not. My act in burning a flag, should it come to pass, is morally defensible, especially when compared to the acts of a single nation that so seriously threatens all life as we know it. This is not a time to be concerned with ones image, it is a time for warriors, and my weapon of choice is the truth. The agents of tyranny should be happy for that. As for the sheep, I do not ! wish to be their shepherd.
"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home and leave us in peace. We seek not your council, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; and may posterity forget that ye were our country men." – Samuel Adams
It is my conscience that dictates my actions, strategy is subordinate. This philosophy in action has served me with the reward of genuine inner peace. Is it possible that my burning of a flag will elicit more than just anger and hatred? Will some reflect on why one of America’s son’s, a former US Marine, is doing this? Will some in that reflection perhaps learn of my being used as a guinea pig in the Gulf War (along with 600,000 other "heroes") by virtue of the experimental drugs that were given to us by our own government/military? Is it possible that some will compare my act of burning a flag to the 500,000 children who have died as a result of US/British lead sanctions and consider the children more important than the flag? If even one person transforms from robotic sheepdom to conscious humanity, my act will be a small step towards sanity and peace in our imperiled world.
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
The unilateral doctrine of "Pre-emptive" strikes against "potential threats" has no basis in law and opens the floodgates to World War III? Virtually all nations have "potential" threats from other nations, and virtually all nations can list America as a "potential threat," especially if they have strategic and financial enticements. If America does this, which it will, burning flags will be the last thing people need to worry about.
"The problem of defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without." - Dwight D. Eisenhower
Having said all this I say to my brothers and sisters in America that I will not burn the US flag,.. on one simple and reasonable condition, get the US government to stop its insane policies of war and compel them not to kill even more innocent victims in Iraq. Abandon, "without delay" the "pre-emptive" doctrine right now, and then begin to disarm and share your wealth with the rest of your human family. This will protect the nation you love infinitely more than bombs. But should the American "Democracy" decide to kill more innocents, I will non-violently protest by burning the flag. But in the interest of maintaining the moral high ground I will burn a US flag with gold-fringe. The mainstream media will not acknowledge this as the flag destroying your Constitution, but perhaps you will. And when the media puppets brand me as another John Walker, I say so be it. I am not seeking popularity, I seek justice,… "by any means necessary."
"A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government." - Edward Abbey (1927-1989)
In truth and fact I am loyal to the ideals of America, but that bears no resemblance to those pledging allegiance to a piece of cloth or even a piece of paper with pretty words written on it. I am loyal to the reality of a truly free-loving and democratic America that respects others as it wishes to be respected itself. If I were the only one who saw the crimes and lies that cheat America out of that reality I would still hold true to the principles protecting "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness," no matter what the personal risks. I say that if the bombs drop and body parts fly than light those flags afire, and be thankful that it is just flags and not the White House that are burning.
"The high office of President has been used to foment a plot to destroy the Americans freedom, and before I leave office I must inform the citizen of his plight." - John F. Kennedy, Columbia University, 10 days before his assassination.
"There is never a good war or bad peace." - Benjamin Franklin
Kenneth Nichols O’Keefe <uksociety@hotmail.com>

(Nichols has legally changed his surname to O’Keefe)
Contact: Kenneth O’Keefe at 06 2220 4574 (Holland), email universalkinship@yahoo.com
O’Keefe Biographical Details at www.uksociety.org

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