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Usurpation: America’s We the People Represented According to Numbers Law is a Tool for Conviviality

3/6/2023

Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich

A 1973 book, Tools for Conviviality by Ivan Illich, argues our dream was to build machines to replace slaves, and instead we have become enslaved to machines.

“To formulate a theory about a future society both very modern and not dominated by industry, it will be necessary to recognize natural scales and limits. We must come to admit that only within limits can machines take the place of slaves; beyond these limits they lead to a new kind of serfdom. Only within limits can education fit people into a manmade environment: beyond these limits lies the universal schoolhouse, hospital ward, or prison.” (xii)

Fifty years on and Illich is still apt.

“The foreseeable catastrophe will be a true crisis – that is, the occasion for a choice – only if at the moment it strikes the necessary social demands can be effectively expressed. They must be represented by people who can demonstrate that the breakdown of the current industrial illusion is for them a condition for choosing an effective and convivial mode of production. The preparation of such groups is the key task of new politics at the present moment.” (114, bold added)

Illich argues the available convivial tool: “can only be the formal structure of politics and law.” (115)

Our foreseeable catastrophe is the true crisis of We the People not being represented according to numbers.

Our politics is the usurpation and its supporters.

Our law is Article 1, Section 2, Clause 3 of the US Constitution … and its supporters.

The choice is between usurpation, which is the law of rule, and the US Constitution, which is the rule of law.

Choose.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Washington

4/20/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Duty

Part XIII of XIII

“… We were going to summarize.”
“Treasonous acts.”
“And then to Washington to see the smudge.”
“Sounds good.”
“What’d we learn Yank?”
“Look out for people who leave their flank in the air.”
“How’ll that work in DC?”
“Dereliction of duty.”
“That does work.”
“You Reb?”
“Look out for people wasting resources.”
“The batteries.”
“Time.”
“Choir.”
“Cavalry.”
“We are talking about the moves of usurpers.”
“What else Gus?”
“Kyd …”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Sights

“… People change.”
“Some might act one way and then differently.”
“Gotta let people come back.”
“Sounds like grace.”
“Grace vigilant.”
“Word.”
“Lots of people in Washington Reb.”
“We’ll fit in.”
“May we see some sights?”
“Imagine so Gus.”
“I never went there and you helped build it.”
“And tried to destroy it.”
“Forgive yourself Reb.”
“On it.”
“Shall we land on the Mall?”
“Up to you.”
“Let’s wing it.”
“Wing it let’s.”
“Up Reb!”
“To Washington!”

Next Up: To be determined.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Shade

4/19/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Decisive

Part XII of XIII

“… Shade Reb.”
“We’re only a bit from the bridge.”
“Who’s McKinley?”
“Ohio Volunteer Yank and future president.”
“Fought here at the bridge?”
“Crossed at Snavely’s, then to the bridge like the other Yanks.”
“Johnny, if McKinley and the others had taken Harper’s Ferry Road …”
“Decisive Union victory.”
“Oops.”
“Boteler’s Ford, Lee’s line of retreat, would have been in cannon range.”
“Boteler’s you say?”
“That ford had many names – Shepherdstown, Blacksford’s – I mean the one on the Potomac by Kyd’s place.”
“Boteler was someone we visited at Elmwood.”
“Name around these parts.”
“Kyd was like Burnside, just the other side?”
“Yes and no Gus.”
“How yes?”
“Giving aid to the enemy.”
“Treason.”
“The no …”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Fair

“… Involves time.”
“Kyd lost the special orders so they could be found.”
“An act.”
“The rest of the war?”
“Doesn’t appear so.”
“You once said you thought Kyd acted out of fair play.”
“Yes.”
“You never said what that was?”
“Short story is Kyd knew something and didn’t think it was fair.”
“Planting the orders made a correction.”
“And some other Maryland things.”
“Then Kyd comes back to being a loyal rebel.”
“Correct.”
“Burnside was more.”
“All in.”
“Who knew?”
“As few as possible.”
“Jefferson Davis?”
“And some other leaders.”
“Generals?”
“Lee, Bragg, Thomas.”
“Longstreet?”
“Probably not.”
“Speechless Johnny.”
“No laughing crow?”
“Been quiet.”
“Well then …”

Next Up: 20 April and the series finale Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Washington.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Aside

4/14/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: All In

Part XI of XIII

“… Question about Burnside.”
“Go Gus.”
“How does one do that?”
“Treason?”
“Yes.”
“Once you decide what side you're on, it doesn’t feel like treason anymore.”
“Because you’re feeling a different value.”
“Correct.”
“So once Burnside was in, he’d be in.”
“Burnside was a problem gambler Gus.”
“Couldn’t stop?”
“Always all in.”
“All in like this bridge.”
“Gus, I think the Antietam washed out the old bridge on a regular basis.”
“And somebody said ‘Never again!’ Johnny.”
“Never again.”
“Let’s cross the bridge Reb.”
“Touching-elbows style.”
“And find some shade.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 19 April and part XII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Shade.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Refuse

4/13/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Air

Part X of XIII

“… Seems to not refuse his left Johnny.”
“Did the same thing at South Mountain.”
“That was 14 September.”
“Left his left in the air Yank.”
“Easy fencer move to do.”
“Furthermore, on 16 September, Burnside doesn’t recon Mill Road.”
“What’s that mean Johnny?”
“It’s the first main road off of Rohrersville.”
“Leads to a mill.”
“And Harper’s Ferry Road.”
“You Rebs could have come from Harper’s Ferry via the Harper’s Ferry Road.”
“Two did.”
“Two who?”
“General Jeb Stuart and an aide.”
“From Harper’s Ferry to Sharpsburg?”
“Took a little over an hour at a gallop.”
“When?”
“One o’clock, 15 September.”
“Someone crossing the bridge Reb.”
“Let’s step aside.”
“Sure …”

Next Up: 14 April and part XI of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Aside.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Bridge

4/12/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Medieval

Part IX of XIII

“… The bridge Johnny.”
“Look at that hill.”
“Like a wall.”
“With every Reb shooting at the same spot.”
“Concentration of fire.”
“Kill zone Gus.”
“Feels like a drawbridge.”
“Over a moat.”
“To a castle wall.”
“Medieval.”
“Castles worked for awhile Reb.”
“A few could defend from many.”
“Just like here.”
“Gus, after the Yanks crossed at Snavely’s, they headed toward the bridge and not Harper’s Ferry Road and Lee’s line of retreat.”
“The left is floating again.”
“In the air and by orders.”
“And not only the Ninth Corps Reb.”
“The left flank of the Army of the Potomac.”
“Burnside …”

Next Up: 13 April and part X of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Refuse.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Usurpation Day 2022

4/9/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Usurpation Day 2022

Part VIII of XIII

“… It’s Usurpation Day Johnny.”
“It is Gus.”
“Two hundred and thirty years ago …”
“Keep going.”
“George vetoed a bill.”
“The young nation’s first.”
“Because Congress used the thirty Thousand in Article 1 but dropped the remainder, the fraction.”
“The Constitution says ‘shall not exceed.’”
“And Washington said they did.”
“True.”
“Congress couldn’t override George’s veto?”
“Correct.”
“So then what Johnny?”
“On 9 April 1792, Elbridge Gerry and others voted a new representation bill, one that used thirty-three thousand instead of thirty.”
“A number not in Article 1.”
“Nor one ratified by the states.”
“Making today, 9 April, the usurpation’s date of birth.”
“An end date is needed.”
“Amen Johnny.”
“To the bridge Gus.”
“To the bridge …”

Next Up: 12 April and part IX of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Bridge.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Hazards

4/7/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Pattern

Part VII of XIII

“… Burnside was his boss.”
“Yuck.”
“Burnside ordered Sturgis: ‘to carry the bridge at all hazards.’”
“The bridge?”
“At all hazards.”
“Carrying the bridge doesn’t threaten Lee’s flank.”
“Crossing at the fords does that.”
“Burnside knew the fords were unguarded?”
“Knew for hours.”
“Yet orders Sturgis, after numerous failed assaults, to assault the bridge again.”
“Makes sense if one wants waste.”
“Wasted Yanks save Lee.”
“The fords were less than three miles away by road Gus.”
“Did no recon.”
“Burnside sent the infantry through the woods.”
“Blindly.”
“And slowly.”
“Cavalry?”
“Ten companies available.”
“But Burnside didn’t use them to find the fords?”
“No – and had 24 hours to do so.”
“More than incompetence Johnny.”
“Seeing a pattern?”
“A pattern of treason.”
“Let’s step right Gus.”
“Let’s …”

Next Up: 9 April and part VIII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Usurpation Day 2022.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Fords

4/6/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Line of Retreat

Part VI of XIII

“… Lee is desperate.”
“Yanks are pressing.”
“To address the threat, Lee removes the Rebs guarding Snavely’s.”
“How many?”
“Several thousand Gus.”
“Shows how Lee thought.”
“Fords matter.”
“Lee had thousands guarding Snavely’s and hundreds the bridge.”
“Snavely’s was the key.”
“How many Rebs were left at the fords?”
“A skirmish line and some cavalry.”
“Imagine that.”
“To be clear, there were three fords at Snavely’s.”
“Three?”
“One connecting a field because the Snavely’s farmed both sides of the crick.”
“The other two?”
“One by the Snavely homestead, and another called Myer’s Ford.”
“These two fords led where?”
“Up to Harper’s Ferry Road, Sharpsburg and Lee’s line of retreat.”
“You don’t say.”
“I just did.”
“Who’s the Napoleon?”
“General Sturgis …”

Next Up: 7 April and part VII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Hazards.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: 16 September

4/5/2022

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Silence

Part V of XIII

“… Here Gus.”
“Higher Johnny.”
“This side of the Antietam commands.”
“What happened up here on 16 September?”
“There was a cannon fight.”
“A cannonading.”
“Burnside had a special artillerist.”
“A gunner.”
“A year out of West Point and future Medal of Honor awardee.”
“Go.”
“On the 16th, from the ridge behind us, this artillerist could hit Sharpsburg.”
“Sounds like Lee getting hit and Burnside knew.”
“On the 17th this battery is moved a half-mile south, near Burnside’s headquarters.”
“Burnside had his headquarters a half-mile south of the bridge, not here?”
“Correct – at a farm on the Rohrersville Road.”
“Reb, that’s closer to the fords – and more locals too.”
“Batteries L and M were here.”
“The batteries not engaged.”
“The next morning Lee is at the same spot in Sharpsburg.”
“And could surmise a meaning Johnny.”
“The message is presented in the absence.”
“The silence is the message.”
“By nine in the morning on 17 September …”

Next Up: 6 April and part VI of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Somewhere: Fords.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner