The Line Between Blind Faith and Patriotism
Day 674, 21:07
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Published in South Korea 
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by
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by Arjay Phoenician
”First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” —Mahatma Gandhi
Whenever I take on an adversary in the eRepublik world, be it the United States Workers’ Party as a newbie in America, the AFK Party during their PTO of Bolivia, the incorrigible delegates at the AHA, the PEACE puppeteers currently reigning in the United Kingdom, or the so-called Theocrats in South Korea, the great Mahatma’s quote comes to mind. It’s a word of encouragement, a reminder that, when you dare to step up and talk about things that are important to you, there is always the risk of being criticized, mocked, ridiculed, insulted, slurred, or worse, especially when you speak out about things that go against the status quo and dare to challenge accepted orthodoxy.
Democracy is more than voting for the candidate of your choice on a given day. Democracy is not an event, it is a process, a dutiful process at that. It is a commitment that you’re going to stand for something, step out onto that limb every day, suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and, simply by the sheer will of belief that you know what it is your heart is right, change the world, a little bit at a time.
That process requires us to speak out when we believe something is happening we feel is illegal, immoral, unethical, inhuman, regardless of who is inflicting or who is inflicted. It is not a holier-than-thou attitude, it takes no great moral strength to stand up and say, Hey, I think you’re wrong, this is why, and if you don’t stop it, I’m going to figure out a way to make you stop. Such a statement is not from taking a moral high ground, but rather, from the simple courage to not accept things as they are, no matter how entrenched they may be.
One thing that has surprised me in my experiences in this world is the lack of maturity in dealing with dissent. With rare exception, virtually every political elite I’ve ever dealt with as an adversary has treated criticism with contempt, adolescent sarcasm, and outright insults. From former US President Scrabman calling his critics “anklebiters” and “butthole hater trolls”, to the so-called Theocrats trying to legitimize theft by calling detractors “whiners”, and every thug, bully, and spoiled-rotten brat in between, the list of those who can’t handle criticism is many times longer than leaders who can.
That is the folly of leadership. It’s one thing to win or steal an election and set yourself up as president, but once you’ve gotten your medal and gold, you realize, this wasn’t a popularity contest; now you have to actually get something done. I’ve seen presidents win multiple terms in multiple countries, but I’ve also seen those same presidents set their countries up for disaster, economic ruin, invasion, political ostracization. That is a shame, their constituents deserve far more for their troubles than a cat in charge who’s just there for the medal.
There is a line between patriotism and blind faith. It’s not a blurred line, it’s clearly laid out, for all to see. Blind faith is complete submission, it is a passive act; patriotism is action, bold and brazen. Blind faith follows a leader as he takes the country off a cliff; patriotism is a love of country so powerful that poor leadership is recognized, called out, and removed before it can do more harm. Blind faith says, “I love my country, right or wrong”; patriotism says, “I love my country when it is right, and when it is wrong, I will make it right”.
I’ve always taken great delight in watching my adversaries twist and contort themselves over the things I’ve put into this paper. I’ve made many friends through this, but my guilty pleasure is seeing the lengths some will go to in the hope of shutting me up. The illogical responses, the trite clichés used to somehow undo 1200 of Arjay’s words, the slurs, the mockery, the indignation. I gave myself a pat on the back when I saw someone recently rename their newspaper “The So-Called Theocrat”. When people like Harrison Richardson, Dishmcds, GLaDOS, Alix Acklin, and others scold and mock me, I know I’ve done something good, I know I’ve pushed the right buttons. That is not to say I don’t appreciate positive remarks, I most certainly do, but for a pundit to be successful, he needs to have two loyal audiences, one that agrees with him, and the other that seeks to shut him up. Everywhere I go in this world, in every country I publish an article, I get both, and that means I’m on the right track.
The people closest to me get it, they find their own ways to stand up for themselves and against wrongdoing in their own countries, their own communities.
Ultimately, this paper is not about the abolition of the superalliance concept, although that’s something I hope to see sooner than later. It’s not about honor and dignity, even if honor and dignity are concepts I try to include in every article. It’s not about a given country, a given community fighting the good fight, a given party acting like elitists, though it seems like every article is talking about such countries, communities, and parties. This paper, its namesake, its mission statement, are all about making the world a better place through the force of irritation, and whether you measure that success in number of subscribers, political influence, friends made in my travels, the amount of counter-criticism in the comments sections, or some other rubric, in my mind, the fact that my friends and I can stand proud, chests puffed out, looking any potentate in the eye and tell him we think he’s wrong, is empowering and liberating beyond belief.
It is that empowerment, that liberation, that not only helps me endure the negativity; it allows me to enjoy it and be amused by it for what it is.
And it proves to me, over and over again, that Gandhi was right.
Whenever I take on an adversary in the eRepublik world, be it the United States Workers’ Party as a newbie in America, the AFK Party during their PTO of Bolivia, the incorrigible delegates at the AHA, the PEACE puppeteers currently reigning in the United Kingdom, or the so-called Theocrats in South Korea, the great Mahatma’s quote comes to mind. It’s a word of encouragement, a reminder that, when you dare to step up and talk about things that are important to you, there is always the risk of being criticized, mocked, ridiculed, insulted, slurred, or worse, especially when you speak out about things that go against the status quo and dare to challenge accepted orthodoxy.
Democracy is more than voting for the candidate of your choice on a given day. Democracy is not an event, it is a process, a dutiful process at that. It is a commitment that you’re going to stand for something, step out onto that limb every day, suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and, simply by the sheer will of belief that you know what it is your heart is right, change the world, a little bit at a time.
That process requires us to speak out when we believe something is happening we feel is illegal, immoral, unethical, inhuman, regardless of who is inflicting or who is inflicted. It is not a holier-than-thou attitude, it takes no great moral strength to stand up and say, Hey, I think you’re wrong, this is why, and if you don’t stop it, I’m going to figure out a way to make you stop. Such a statement is not from taking a moral high ground, but rather, from the simple courage to not accept things as they are, no matter how entrenched they may be.
One thing that has surprised me in my experiences in this world is the lack of maturity in dealing with dissent. With rare exception, virtually every political elite I’ve ever dealt with as an adversary has treated criticism with contempt, adolescent sarcasm, and outright insults. From former US President Scrabman calling his critics “anklebiters” and “butthole hater trolls”, to the so-called Theocrats trying to legitimize theft by calling detractors “whiners”, and every thug, bully, and spoiled-rotten brat in between, the list of those who can’t handle criticism is many times longer than leaders who can.
That is the folly of leadership. It’s one thing to win or steal an election and set yourself up as president, but once you’ve gotten your medal and gold, you realize, this wasn’t a popularity contest; now you have to actually get something done. I’ve seen presidents win multiple terms in multiple countries, but I’ve also seen those same presidents set their countries up for disaster, economic ruin, invasion, political ostracization. That is a shame, their constituents deserve far more for their troubles than a cat in charge who’s just there for the medal.
There is a line between patriotism and blind faith. It’s not a blurred line, it’s clearly laid out, for all to see. Blind faith is complete submission, it is a passive act; patriotism is action, bold and brazen. Blind faith follows a leader as he takes the country off a cliff; patriotism is a love of country so powerful that poor leadership is recognized, called out, and removed before it can do more harm. Blind faith says, “I love my country, right or wrong”; patriotism says, “I love my country when it is right, and when it is wrong, I will make it right”.
I’ve always taken great delight in watching my adversaries twist and contort themselves over the things I’ve put into this paper. I’ve made many friends through this, but my guilty pleasure is seeing the lengths some will go to in the hope of shutting me up. The illogical responses, the trite clichés used to somehow undo 1200 of Arjay’s words, the slurs, the mockery, the indignation. I gave myself a pat on the back when I saw someone recently rename their newspaper “The So-Called Theocrat”. When people like Harrison Richardson, Dishmcds, GLaDOS, Alix Acklin, and others scold and mock me, I know I’ve done something good, I know I’ve pushed the right buttons. That is not to say I don’t appreciate positive remarks, I most certainly do, but for a pundit to be successful, he needs to have two loyal audiences, one that agrees with him, and the other that seeks to shut him up. Everywhere I go in this world, in every country I publish an article, I get both, and that means I’m on the right track.
The people closest to me get it, they find their own ways to stand up for themselves and against wrongdoing in their own countries, their own communities.
Ultimately, this paper is not about the abolition of the superalliance concept, although that’s something I hope to see sooner than later. It’s not about honor and dignity, even if honor and dignity are concepts I try to include in every article. It’s not about a given country, a given community fighting the good fight, a given party acting like elitists, though it seems like every article is talking about such countries, communities, and parties. This paper, its namesake, its mission statement, are all about making the world a better place through the force of irritation, and whether you measure that success in number of subscribers, political influence, friends made in my travels, the amount of counter-criticism in the comments sections, or some other rubric, in my mind, the fact that my friends and I can stand proud, chests puffed out, looking any potentate in the eye and tell him we think he’s wrong, is empowering and liberating beyond belief.
It is that empowerment, that liberation, that not only helps me endure the negativity; it allows me to enjoy it and be amused by it for what it is.
And it proves to me, over and over again, that Gandhi was right.
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SECOND!
Spectacular article, Arjay. Voted and subbed a long time ago. Keep upi the good work.
Very nice sir. Mega vote.
Arjay,you wrote a phenominal article. Everyone and anyone that reads it, be them a fan or foe, will feel, and ultimately admit the truth (albeit to themselves) that your article reveals. I try to be and feel I am a good patriot that leads by example. Although however hard, I have to even see a glimpse of myself as there is no one anywhere that at some point in time, in certain situations has not resorted to a tactic in your article. Even your most poignant personalties are not perfect and have lowered themselves to indignation at some level at some point in their lives. Your article is well thought out and well written, and I hope serves to improve us all. Be it ever so humble... there's nothing like truth.
A good article, makes me hope the eChina will vote in a good Congress that will run the country well.
Reported for Racism 😃
LOL
We think of this game in completely different manners. To say one is right or wrong is unprovable, yet we both would argue our point of views as though it was a black and white issue. The game still lacks a court system. I definitely disagree with your opinion on the matter at hand, and that of the Theocrats. However, I do respect the fact that this is your mission in the game. I play a role, you play a role.
It is a fault however, to call our government a failure. Our structure and cohesiveness allow for success. Whether you agree or disagree with our coming to power, we are here in efforts to make this land prosper. Whether that pleases or displeases the "real Koreans" is of no concern. The game has all Theocrats listed as official citizens of eSouth Korea, and in doing so has allowed the declaration of The Theocratic Nation of South Korea. Tradition means nothing to me in this game. For every action of displeasure that citizens feel, they should react in an effort to restore their pleasure. I play the game to rewrite history in any way in which the New World allows.
The social network and friends that I have made go far beyond any region that I live in. I can be a homeless vagrant "in game" and still cherish relationships that I have made. As far as actual game maneuvers go, everything is attributed to strategy. Whether we win or lose, the fun is in the unfolding of our plans. Despite the outcome, my friends will always be there.
The Theocrats do care about eSouth Korea and will flourish with the land. I will argue and fight this point of view to the bitter end, as you will argue the alternative. So goes the game of eRepublik...
Some of us do care about tradition and place significance in the people and history of the land.
And those of us that do, hate you that don't. Or rather not you that don't, but you that not only don't, but proceed to trample upon the things in which we place significance.
And that is why we fight.
What are this thung in wich you place significance?
As I said, people, history, tradition. With regard to South Korea, the Theocrats have none of these.
People, history, tradition ingame or IRL?
Ingame, of course.
[Reiji mode]
reported for racism
[/Reiji mode]
xDDDDD
uhm
Reiji what are people, history and tradition of eSK?
This reminds me of the arguments me and Alix had.
Gandhi's words still prove true.
I don't have time to give you a whole course in it at the moment, Dio Maksas. Suffice it to say you should have bothered to learn these things before you chose to invade this place.
DIO>eSK
Right on, Arjay!
Ummm, the Theocrats do have tradition in game. South Korea... you guys are such a small community with almost no relevance in the game that no one could ever had learned about your "history".
The Theocrats have a long tradition and a rich history, this is true.
But it has nothing to do with South Korea. They should be elsewhere.
Its funny Jeep, the very last line of defense in any argument that has been thrown towards the theocrats is "welll.....uhh....there wasn't any South Korea! I winzzz post lossssses!".
Its funny that when eNK, a community that cares for eSK and even sent help, is in the same situation under a religious group called the Shaolin, eMerica rushes to eNK when eNK is rushing to help eSK.
A thought-provoking article. As a Spaniard, I see EDEN as a good thing considering it's current goals. This is true only for the moment. If EDEN were to turn into what PEACE has become, I will join your effort happily.
"Freedom is always the freedom of dissenters."
Very good article. I enjoyed it greatly.
@Alix, I understand the structure & cohesiveness needed for a strong community. I also understand that your group of religious fundamentalists kills native born babies unless they accept your religion. You strip the youth of free will. Join us or die in essence.
While that may grow your numbers, it doesn't help the game overall.
How long before your followers grow bored and 1.die 2.abandon your faith & country...look how you defiled Switzerland.
Your way of playing the GAME, does NOT build community. It is predatory, elitist & exclusionary.
and sickening.
Hear hear, Arjay and sunday both!
Exciting read, and very well versed.
I agree that the superpowers need a means to an end, and I believe you, Arjay, are the Voice of that means.
and to all so-called Theocrats:
You sicken too many people around you to have much of a chance. We will take eSK back, and you will be the 'vagrant homeless' that you were after you abandoned eSwitzerland and before you went after eSK.
@Alix Your invite will be in the mail. Perhaps you'd even like to give the bride away...orphaned, vagabond, free gypsy, dame of DODGE that she is.
I'm pained with laughter that I haven't yet been formally invited to participate in your open-armed Theocratic community. The security dogs are mildly intimidating and fences awfully high.
Bad PR is FANTASTIC PR, any half-wit knows that.
Theocratic Suicide Squad Leader: We are the Theocratic crack suicide squad! Suicide squad, attack!
[they all stab themselves]
Theocratic Suicide Squad Leader: That showed 'em, huh?
wink,wink,nudge,nudge,say no more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZeowfcCNnI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZeowfcCN[..]CNnI
In turn I would expect any half-wit to avoid giving us that Fantastic PR.
Alix, you make some good points. But you're in no way socialist.
If you were, you would be giving companies other than just ones under your direct control some tax breaks.
You have no communes. You do not follow the will of the people.
Real communist/socialist parties oppose you. I have important friends in eAmerica's Socialist Freedom Party. The premier communist party in eUSA I might add.
They want your party to fall, even though it would help PEACE. And they have task forces liberating territories from PEACE occupation.
I wouldn't go so far as to call Theocrats villains, just annoyances. Trying to vilify you just makes you more important.
Socialism is a rather broad term. Sects within Socialist movements would argue our validity while others would argue against us. I'll stick with the first.
And, we have support from all different forms of parties as well as opposition. There are Democracies that support us.
I think the fact that we are The Theocratic Nation of South Korea makes us fairly important. The amount of articles and heavy interest has made us even more important than we already were before our arrival in Asia. We have you and your eJapanese friends to thank for that.
and to all so-called Theocrats:
You sicken too many people around you to have much of a chance. We will take eSK back, and you will be the 'vagrant homeless' that you were after you abandoned eSwitzerland and before you went after eSK.
Ehm, what?
SILENT LEGES INTER ARMA