Category: Slavery

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 Berryvillin’: Benjamin

10/15/2021

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': People

Part XII of XIII

“… Here’s Ben Gus.”
“Three hundred years.”
“Ben’s birth year was 1724.”
“So you found some Benjamin history too?”
“Did.”
“What of Kentucky Sarah?”
“The Berry family was in Kentucky before it was Kentucky.”
“How?”
“There’s a Berry’s Lick operating in 1786.”
“Salt mining.”
“Sarah’s 1827 will stated she owned a thousand acres in Green River, Kentucky.”
“Making salt … in Kentucky … slave labor.”
“Yes.”
“More slave coin Johnny.”
“So much slave coin Ben would …”
“What would Benjamin do?”
“The word doesn’t sound right Gus, correct I mean.”
“What word?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': Gifted

“Gift.”
“Benjamin Berry gifted people?”
“Via deed Gus.”
“An example?”
“Legal papers.”
“Say what?”
“‘Deed of Gift to daughter Sarah Stribling – 4 negroes.’”
“When?”
“1804.”
“No words for that Reb.”
“How slavery worked.”
“What else?”
“Sarah’s birth name appears to be Mary.”
“Mary Berry.”
“Sarah might have been a middle name.”
“Always something in Berryville Reb.”
“Always something Yank.”
“Let’s front.”
“Sure …”

Next Up: 22 October and the series finale Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Front.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Sarah

10/1/2021

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': 1775

Part XI of XIII

“… Sarah … I can’t find Sarah Gus.”
“What?”
“Well, word says she’s buried here, as Sarah Stribling.”
“Yet no headstone.”
“Correct.”
“Any history on Sarah Reb?”
“Lots.”
“Like?”
“Sarah Berry married John Humphreys.”
“Who’s that?”
“John Humphreys was KIA 31 DEC 1775.”
“KIA.”
“1775.”
“Where?”
“Quebec, Canada.”
“Reb … Daniel Morgan was there and surrendered on that date.”
“Humphreys was with Morgan’s company: First Lieutenant of Riflemen.”
“Sarah lost her husband under Morgan’s command during the Revolution?”
“Before independence was even declared.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': 1798

“So Sarah Humphreys is a widow in Berryville in 1776.”
“Well, there is no Berryville yet: that happens in 1798.”
“So what happens with Sarah?”
“In 1789, Sarah marries William Stribling.”
“Fourteen years after Humphreys.”
“Yes.”
“Who is Stribling?”
“William has money, is young and owns land next to Benjamin Berry’s (her father’s) plantation.”
“Children?”
“They have two.”
“Names?”
“Elizabeth and Dulcibella.”
“What else?”
“William dies in 1793.”
“Ach!”
“Something like that.”
“So Sarah Stribling inherits William’s land next to her father’s that then becomes Berryville in 1798.”
“Then there’s Kentucky.”
“Sarah goes to Kentucky?”
“After Benjamin … ”

Next Up: 15 October and part XII of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Benjamin.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Obelisks and Things

8/21/2021

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': Crows

Part IX of XIII

“… How’s this?”
“Thanks Reb.”
“Them crows got to ya Yank.”
“I wasn’t sure what to think?”
“I heard ‘em too.”
“There are a lot of crows in Berryville.”
“Yes.”
“There’s even a street named Crow.”
“That’s for a family.”
“I thought so too, and said so to the crows.”
“And?”
“The crows, they wondered who that family would be named after, if not them?”
“Crows.”
“What is with these obelisks Johnny?”
“Good question Gus.”
“They’re … ”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': Slavery

“… How much slavery was there here in Berryville?”
“Clarke County was about half enslaved in 1860.”
“Berryville’s in Clarke.”
“County seat.”
“These stone obelisks, crosses and testimonials, were built with slave coin.”
“I hear ya.”
“The stained glass windows, the brick church.”
“Economy of slavery.”
“We can see what enslaved people built, what their labors contributed.”
“We can.”
“It’s right here, here in these stones.”
“And the stained glass.”
“What’s next Johnny?”
“Got some news Gus.”
“Do tell.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin': Word

“The truth has come.”
“The thirty Thousand.”
“And the falsehood shall vanish.”
“The usurpation.”
“And shall not come back.”
“Sounds like you’ve gotten word.”
“Word is expected by 17 September Gus.”
“Constitution Day.”
“Yes.”
“What if no word?”
“Then the Office of the - ”
“- Don’t say Reb.”
“Right.”
“Soon enough, we’ll all know.”
“Meantime … let’s look for some Berrys.”
“Johnny: I had forgotten our purpose.”
“This way Gus …”

Next Up: 17 September and part X of the series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank Berryvillin’: Smudge Day 2021.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: Mount Horeb

3/22/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Mount Horeb

Part XIII of XIII

“… How’s this?”
“Feels like home.”
“Welcome home Gus.”
“Welcome home Johnny.”
“There wasn’t a horse before.”
“No?”
“It was people conveying the man.”
“Was there a child?”
“Yes.”
“Slave?”
“Represented.”
“Slavery, it means both: slaves and slavers.”
“Yup.”
“You bring the flag Reb?”
“I thought you did.”
“Not me.”
“Well then.”
“Well then what?”
“Let’s rally ‘round it.”
“Mount Horeb style.”
“Worked before.”
“Did.”

Thanks All!

*Next Up: Usurpation Day 2019.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: Survey

3/8/2019

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Hello

Part XI of XIII

“… You weren’t.”
“Young George Gus.”
“It’s like he’s saying hello.”
“‘Hey Gus and Johnny.’”
“Hey George.”
“Like that Yank?”
“Just like that.”
“Seems so.”
“When did George own slaves?”
“Age eleven.”
“What?”
“His father, Augustine Washington, died and George inherited ten slaves.”
“Ten people.”
“At age eleven.”
“When did George get to Winchester?”
“Says here …”

Johnny Reb and Gus Yank OOW: Surveyor

“… 1748.”
“Just a kid Reb.”
“Yup.”
“So before coming here, George had owned people for five years.”
“Correct.”
“Then the 16 year-old George went to Winchester, or Frederick Town, to survey.”
“Frederick was the eldest son of King George the second.”
“The future king?”
“Would’ve been, but Frederick died in 1751.”
“Colonial George was a loyal subject Johnny.”
“He was Gus.”
“Slaving, surveying and serving.”
“And then George was elected Burgess.”
“Is that good Reb?”
“Yes.”
“What’d he do?”
“Represented this area in assembly.”
“Early political career, eh?”
“Well …”

Next Up: 15 March and part XII of the winter series Johnny Reb and Gus Yank On Our Way: To Prevent Hogs Running At Large.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Juneteenth

6/19/2018

Juneteenth

1 of 13

“Hey Gus.”
“Hey Johnny.”
“It’s Juneteenth 2018.”
“Sounds like something?”
“It’s the last day American slaves learned they were free, 19 June 1865.”
“Where at?”
“Texas.”
“I have some memories Reb.”
“Good to know.”
“I see them.”
“Freed slaves?”
“We called ‘em ‘Darkies.'”
“Because they had a light?”
“You’re being kind Johnny, though maybe; mostly I remember more joy than I ever saw.”
“Right.”
“Joyous eyes.”
“Freedom is something Gus.”
“You saw it too?”
“Of course.”
“What did you see?”
“A slave would rarely make eye contact, and only out of respect.”
“After?”
“Let’s refer to ‘em as ‘the newly freed citizens.'”
“‘Mericans too.”
“Correct. The newly freed ‘Mericans had a light, a way out, out of bondage.”
“Hard to put that light out once you have it Reb.”
“True words Yank …”

Next Up: Part 2 on 22 June of the summer series Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb Somewhere On Our Way: Antietam Crows.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Some US History and the Neurotransmitter Acetylcholine: Tobacco (Nicotine) Soldiers Soldiering

8/11/2017

Virginia Tobacco Plantation 1670

Supplying Europe with tobacco, something indigenous to the Americas, was how Virginia and the southern colonies got started: they had something to trade. That all began more than 400 years ago; yet the notion tobacco was activating a receptor wired into our biology by the creative process called life, that was not known until the 20th century.

If we retell the history of tobacco from an acetylcholine (biological) receptor point of view, one accounting for the receptor’s addictive as well as performance enhancing qualities, we can see a way of understanding why soldiers, for example, used tobacco and why it was considered good for soldiering.

Twentieth century US armed forces were supplied tobacco in their rations (WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam); this changed in the late 70s and early 80s. The change was because of the negative health effects on soldiers found to be caused by tobacco smoking and chawing, though there wasn’t any change in the importance of acetylcholine.

What do our acetylcholine receptors do? Put simply, they touch (activate) every muscle and nerve in our bodies, have both cellular and skeletal effects, and modulate our autonomic and central nervous systems. So something that activates every muscle and nerve as well as our autonomic and central nervous systems, might be of importance to staying alert, awake, and ready for action (soldiering).

Imagine the US Civil War without tobacco. The Confederate soldier as well as the general population of the South (free and slave) used lots of tobacco; chewing and spitting were common even among women and children. Tobacco use, and therefore acetylcholine modulation, helps to explain the hardships endured (lack of food and shelter and so on) during that time of war and the period after.

There is a misunderstanding concerning the role of acetylcholine activation in health: we moralize tobacco use without praising (or knowing of) acetylcholine modulation. In doing so, we also misunderstand how a biological receptor changed the course of world history and helped build the United States of America – from the inside out.

*Next Up: Sunday 17 September, US Constitution Day 2017, and the beginning of an autumn Gus Kotka and Johnny Reb series, On Our Way Thereat.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Summer Union 2016: Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Hey You

8/6/2016

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere High

Part 7 of 13

“… caused the war Gus.”
“I hear ya Reb, it wasn’t just a law.”
“No, slavery was constitutional.”
“Three-fifths plus three-fifths.”
“How’s that?”
“That makes six-fifths."
“Okay.”
“As you can see,” Gus continued, “that’s more than one.”
“Right.”
“So two slaves counted as a bit more than one free person.”
“Well said.”
“That’s why it wasn’t just that slavery was legal.”
“Higher.”
“It was that slaves counted, at the constitutional rate of two for one.”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Heart

“Yes Gus.”
“That’s the heart of the matter.”
“Again yes.”
“The good and bad of slavery wasn’t the point.”
“That worked well to get the people fired up.”
“Divided us.”
“With the real power –”
“Hey Reb?”
“What?”
“It’s like the morality of slavery was the feint force.”
“I get ya.”
“While the real force (power) is in this math no one ever talked about?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Help

“Correct Gus.”
“Okay.”
“Everyone got caught up in the right and wrong of slavery.”
“And we overlooked the Constitution.”
“That’s never good.”
“Hardly Johnny.”
“It can work awhile.”
“Even look like it’s working.”
“Right Gus.”
“But all things go back to their source.”
“They sure do.”

Next Up: The Union 2016 summer series continues on Thursday 11 August with part 8, Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Is There.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

Summer Union 2016: Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Moon Dark Side

7/30/2016

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Moon

Part 6 of 13

On a piece of ground in your home town

“How’s this Gus?”
“Better.”
“The thirty Thousand -”
“Johnny,” interrupted Gus, “that 30,000 we've been kicking around.”
“Yes.”
“We had a census in 1860, just like the Constitution says.”
“We did.”
“And that census said we had over 30 million people.”
“True Yank.”
“So what happened?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Dark

“What do you mean?”
“Well,” Gus offered, “30 million divided by 30,000 is kind of easy math.”
“It is.”
“So it ciphers to 1,000 federal districts.”
“Yes.”
“So that’s 1,000 federal Representatives in 1860.”
“True, but not real.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Usurpation.”
“Theft?”

Johnny Reb and Gus Kotka Nowhere Side

“Yes, in the form of stolen representation Gus: Congress stopped obeying the Constitution.”
“Couldn’t follow orders ‘eh?”
“You got it.”
“How many Reps were there in 1860 Johnny?”
“There were 241 Gus.”
“And four million slaves.”
“True.”
“So using the three fifths clause, slaves would have equaled 2.4 million free people.”
“Yes.”
“Which meant a bunch of Representatives representing slaves.”
“There would have been 80.”
“That’s a lot Johnny.”
“It caused the war Gus.”
“The issue of slavery?”
“The issue of constitutional representation of slaves …”

Next Up: Thursday 4 August and a 2020, Defining a Conservative-Liberal Via John Kass and Eric Zorn of the Chicago Tribune.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner