Apolytonian Enlightenment Movement (AEM)

[Thud]

The Apolytonian Enlightenment Movement is dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal; that each man has the right to life, liberty, and property; that the press should be free to speak whatever it wishes; that the people can elect a just government to protect these rights; and that unprovoked aggression is morally wrong and unacceptable.

Any Apolytonian that finds enlightenment may join in the hope that his ideals will one day soon be reflected in all of Apolytonian society and government.

Members:
Thud
Shiber
Dejon
AdamTG02
Jdjdjd
Arnelos
Civman2000

[AdamTG02]

Count me in. Though I am most active in the Alpha Centauri Democracy Game, I'm a citizen here as well.

If this DG reflected better the kinds of values expressed here, I wager I'd be significantly more active.

[Meshelic]

popularity contest here? just kidding. A DIA scheme to recruit members? possibly. A hidden message geared towards preventing war with France? possibly. The AEM charter seems too general thus far for my tastes...

[Thud]

lol. Of course it's general. It could be anything, any devious plan my mind can come up with. Or it could simply be a way to organize support for an ideal, a petition if you will. Or it could be another useless organization that sounds pretty cool.

But I would lean toward the diabolical rather then the meaningless.

[jdjdjd]

Yes-count me in, and the first topic should be how to win the Space Race....(thats code for how to bug Hawk HQ before next election)

[Hot Mustard]

Thanks for including my name, Thud. How did you know I'd support this?

[Arnelos]

Count me in. I am fully dedicated to these enlightened values and the republican form of government which I believe will best protect them.

[civman2000]

Count me in! As one of the cofounders of teh DIA, i have always supported giving more powers to the people and bringing enlightenment ot apolytonia!

[Meshelic]

Originally posted by Thud

But I would lean toward the diabolical rather then the meaningless.

I shall include that quote when I mention you in any thread thereafter.

[Arnelos]

Thud...

Think it's time yet for an "Apolytonian Abolitionist Society"?

Methinks we're approaching just the right spot in historical development for it...

(not that I want to fight a civil war like the United States did over the issue...)

[UnOrthOdOx]

That would be kinda cool if we COULD fight a civil war. Break the nation in half and go for it...

[Donegeal]

I remember seeing a quote from someones posts that say "Being responsible means pissing people off". This is true. Please remember this when reading this post.

This is all fine and dandy, but not pratical. As a public servant in real life I have come to the determination that the general public is stupid. Yes, thats harsh, but I would like (yes I do want to be wrong about this) someone to prove me wrong. Please.. go to a local city counsil meeting. Its ridiculous! Civilians always wanting something from the government, but refusing to pay for it in taxes. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie!

The problem with "enlightenment" is that people will always do what is best for themselves (its a survival instinct) and not what is best for the community.

To gather a further knowledge of what I'm talking about, please read "Starship Troopers" by Robert Heinlein. NOTE THAT I SAID READ, NOT WATCH, as the only thing incommon between the book and the movie are the names of the characters.

[UnOrthOdOx]

I wouldn't say 'stupid'. I would say ignorant. Stupid implies that the general public knows everything that is going on, and still continue their idiotic ways. They do not, they can not, all they can see is what THEY need, they are therefore ignorant to the demands placed on the government. This is why some suggestions, to one who DOES know the other side of things, seem stupid. In the persons mind, however, they are perfectly logical.

[Donegeal]

Yeah, I was going to call them ignorant, but I can't spell very well and it would have been hypocritical of me to call them something I can't spell.

[GodKing]

I do land development.
Trust me. People are stupid. Ignorance can be worked on. Simply educate the people you are dealing with. Unfortunately, as I have learned the hard way, even beaurocrats are stupid. They have their little corner of reality and often refuse to look at any sort of bigger picture. No. Stupid is the right word here. We can agree to disagree. Fine. But can we agree to not even recognize that the other side has a view?

More so than being stupid, I find that people just hate change.