Intergalactic Summit

THE PERILS OF LIBERTY

Those who were born in a free society often forget and under appreciate the complexities of liberty. With liberty comes a certain insecurity, because one's place in society is fluid and can change according to choice and not just birth. When we are conditioned to live with the structures of freedom, it becomes part of our daily way of conducting ourselves. What happens when those who have never been free are faced with the first challenges of liberty? Most take to it quite well and if facilitated, learn to function as free citizens. Others, when facing a crisis, may long to return to the predictability of bondage. The irony, of course is that they are making this choice, because liberty has been afforded to them. In a sense, the first and last exercise of self-determination is to reject it. This isn't a judgement, just an observation. Each must exercise his or her own wisdom in what is best in this regard.

Now to the perils of liberty. All meaningful life requires a cost. To the three from M-Center #4, the price of liberty is its loss unless they are allowed to return, which is doubtful. But, to remain free is also full of daily perils. All our choices have consequences. For argument's sake, what if our M-Centers have substandard medical facilities? Then to remain and live in liberty will involve the choice to endure certain risks. These are much like the risks of loss that we as capsuleers regularly choose to face in the dangers of space.

No free choice is without positive and negative potential. In spite of this, The Disciples of Ston believe that liberty is better than bondage. Liberty makes our spirituality of choice more honest and risky. We own it. Liberty keeps us from becoming lazy intellectually, spiritually and mentally. Liberty prevents us from blaming others for the condition of our lives. We recommend liberty to all humans, but do not promise that it will make you happy or well or wealthy.

There is something I need to do for two reasons. The thing I need to do is to spend some time running some level four mining missions. Reason one: Certain corporations have been very kind to the Disciples of Ston and have secretly assisted us in our efforts to help former slaves. Some of this help is not "official" corporate help, but people in places of decision have helped us. I will return the favor by helping them. Reason Two: I would like to save up some LP's for some special gifts for the Disciples. Since I can do gas cloud, ice, and regular mining, I do not need to decline any missions. The time will also allow me to train to use cloning. This is gonna take some time, so I might as well make myself useful while doing it.

I SUPPOSE WE ARE SMUGGLERS

When we first began our work as Disciples of Ston, our focus was on the study of the capsuleer and finding ways to encourage peace and non-violence. These values evolved the organization into what it has become today and brought about our focus on helping former slaves that we rescue from space. At the time of our beginnings, I would often remark that I was a petty thief and that our thievery was means of provocation to uncover the hidden motivations of capsuleer pilots. Those were interesting and informative days.

Now, however, we are smugglers rather than thieves though some may argue otherwise. Some may ask why we feel justified in disobeying established laws of governments in the pursuit of our work and values. Manwe recently gave me the following ancient text as he calls it, though he will not tell me where he found it. I believe it to express well how we feel about when governments fail to do justice and what actions perhaps are needed by conscientious people of shared values.

Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends (Equality and Liberty), it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.

THE LOST SKILL OF DECORUM

The Disciples of Ston regularly monitor different communication channels in our ongoing study of capsuleer behavior. We have noted that among religious people, capuleers seem to consider themselves exempt from the usual expectations of verbal decorum that are demanded of others in similar positions. Most religious organizations demand of their clergy a strictness of language that forbids both profanity and crude jocularity. Both of these seem to flow rather freely from the self-proclaimed capsuleer clergy of the New Eden Airwaves. The members of the Disciples of Ston are encourage to conduct their language without profanity as an exercise in enhanced humanity. Self-control is one of the greatest ways to show self-respect. It is a struggle for sure especially if one has been nurtured in a culture of profane self-expression.

However, clergy or spiritual leaders, be they bishops, cardinals, shamans, or whatever, are called to shine a light upon the path of enlightenment and to show the way to ascend beyond the gutter of base humanity. Your mere human counterparts generally abide by these standards; should they not apply also to the capsuleer? Your credibility as a spritual person of whatever system you espouse is at stake. Should fresh water and brine flow from the same spring?

Should not those under your tutelage expect the words that flow from your mouth to reflect a refined and spiritually enlightened heart?

Not to be contrary, but isn't that like removing his freedom of speech you value so much, simply because you think hes morally inferior. Many talk strong against the empire for removing freedoms for sake of morality or order, but when given the same choices in miniature they almost all do the same thing.

Now before you go saying 'this is different!' No, its not. Did you act because you felt you where morally superior and thus your voice should be stronger than his? Yes, you did. There is nothing wrong with that, you where in the right, obviously, but I am trying to make you understand the Amarrian point of view, something that your apparently not too far from yourself.

A DISTURBING TURN OF EVENTS

I have just received a very disturbing communication from a powerful organization saying that they demand to investigate, inspect, and otherwise examine all the operations of the Disciples of Ston. Futhermore, they have demanded to remain anonymous and have threatened us if we reveal who they are. I have always known that there were those who opposed our work, but they were always open and public in their opposition. I feel for the first time, that some may be making a concerted effort to shut down our rescue and Matriculation work. We are a small, non-violent organization and any war waged against us would be one-sided. I am concerned most for those we have rescued, that they remain free.

I have forwarded the communication to our CEO Manwe Todako. He has the authority to respond for the corporation and to give us direction in this matter. I don't think he will be too happy.

Where was I when the poo hit the fan? Wow, a lot can happen in 24 hours. I just logged in to my neo com and checked corporate mail. There is a note from Manwe, saying basically, "keep up on things on IGS." So I log in and there it is. I am not sure what to think. The other disciples of Ston have a whole lot less to lose than I do if this turns into a war. I'm not sure what I'll do. I am not really a disciple, just a moral and financial supporter of their work. In other words, "don't shoot."

We should have seen this coming though. It seems to me that in the three or so months that Ms. Goldcore has been a part of PIE, she has become rather radicalized. Is this true or am I imagining things?

I just just hope I can duck fast enough to avoid getting "PIE in the face." *chordle

I boarded the "Vow of Poverty" today to transport 3 slave traders to our detention facility in Korama and deliver 4 bodies to the Cadaver dog training program at the Voc Center. It has been a while since I have been aboard the simple vessels we flew when when we first started. It gave me a feeling of nostalgia for the carefree days of wandering when I first joined the Disciples. Just about then, I could literally feel the Sankofa on my back and was reminded of the words of the Elders at my Voluval. I know why I am where I am at this place and at this time.

So far all has been quiet. My greatest concern is for the resources necessary to keep the M-Centers running smoothly. The Disciples of Ston do not fear the loss of their ships or even their lives. Unlike other organizations, war losses are irrelevant, because they do not fight wars. However, we do maintain industries to supply and provide for our Matriculation Centers. For this I am concerned. Right now we have ample water supplies, millions of liters. We have also begun preparations for a livestock production facility. I do not wish to see these efforts hampered. I have been thinking lately of maybe establishing a separate holding corporation for the financial interests of DSTON. If we could relieve the organization of the pressures of that end of the administration, maybe the risks would be reduced. I will give it thought.

If nobody claims or accepts those clone bodies i would be more than happy to take them off your hands for you.