[TheForge] Copper-Yak

[Andrew Vida]

Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer wrote:
> Things appear to be going up, in great part, because we are going down.
> Thank Bush et al....pf
> 

	There are far more people to thank than Georgie-boy.  Recall that 
Hitl... erm... I mean Klinton went far in seeing to it that all our 
industry fled to China.  Do not fear the puppet, but rather the 
puppeteer.  His face is the one you will never see connected with the 
troubles that beset your life.

	I cannot tell whether this is all part of a grand conspiracy to destroy 
the American middle class or just the results of the bankruptcy of the 
ultra-liberal (AKA socialist) world view.  In the end it is irrelevant 
because the results are the same - a return to chattel slavery.

	To make this even remotely relevant to blacksmithing, consider the 
environmentalist agenda, which is to create the illusion of a "clean" 
global environment by eliminating as much industry from the USA (and 
perhaps Europe as well) as possible.  I call it an "illusion" because 
they still drive their autos and wear their Nike shoes, etc., all of 
which have to be made *somewhere* (like China).  These people are as 
serious as a heart attack, too, where their intentions are concerned. 
I've known a couple of these sorts - formally well edumacated and very 
well intending people who will in principle stop at nothing to see their 
ends realized.

	This gives the coal- and chemical-using blacksmith something to think 
about.  We have sailed under the radar so far and perhaps will for a 
time to come, mainly because we are so few in number or are otherwise 
not looked upon as a significant factor... yet.  I can envision a time 
in the not too distant future when what we do will be called into 
question and demands will be made for small-scale smithing to be 
stopped.  Don't laugh - who, 50 years ago, would have ever thought that 
US industry would flee to China and that we would become a second-rate 
industrial player?

	Always bear in mind the nature of the beast.  Every tyrant needs to 
have an enemy.  When one is dispatched, a new one must be quickly 
discovered - or manufactured - in order to maintain conditions that will 
justify continuation of his position and activity.  This isn't even 
always done maliciously, and that is perhaps the most significant point 
in any political issue - the road to hell is paved with good intentions. 
  I know what is best for everyone and therefore I will impose my will 
upon them if I can get away with it - an all too common theme of human 
history and responsible for more destruction and misery than any other 
source one might care to name.