Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The Revolutionary Jones Soda Company

I have a confession: I love Ron Paul. Now don't get me wrong, I'm still a die-hard Market Anarchist, and I still refuse to vote on principle, not even for Ron Paul. But I do think his message is important (he quoted Lysander Spooner on national television for Christ's sake), and back in 2007 I donated $100 to his campaign.

Anyway, about a week ago I discovered that Jones Soda Company was selling Ron Paul Revolution Cola. I promptly bought a six pack, and it arrived today!

Jones' Ron Paul Revolution Cola

I only got 6 bottles, and I can't decide if I should drink one of them or keep all six unopened. What do you think?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

eh, you gotta try at least one of them :)

Anonymous said...

I agree. It's hard to pass up a Jones, even if the labels evoke some sort of sentimental value.

I probably would have them all drank (drunk?) down in a matter of hours.

Aaron Kinney said...

Agreed. I will drink one this weekend :)

Wek said...

Wow, you have some really tough decisions you have to make in your life as a degenerate.

Wek of
Operation Yellow Elephant

Brad Reddekopp said...

So how was it? I predict that it started out with a bit of a sparkle but very quickly went flat. :P

Anonymous said...

How do you reconcile being a "die hard market anarchist" and loving a man who wants to grab the gun that's pointing at your head and keep it there?

Or, how can you love a man who wants to rob you, only just a little bit less?

Aaron Kinney said...

Re: anonymous @ 9/15/08,

How do you reconcile being a "die hard market anarchist" and loving a man who wants to grab the gun that's pointing at your head and keep it there?

More appropriately, how do you justify your assumption that a market anarchist must necessarily hate anyone and everyone that commits any degree of coercion against him? People who have incorrect or immoral beliefs, and commit moral errors, need love and understanding and compassion more than anyone. Nielsio expressed this idea in a YouTube video far better than I can. You should check it out at this link.

Also, you should read Francois Tremblay's essay entitled Love Your Enemies as Yourself. Franc explains it very out very well I think.

Or, how can you love a man who wants to rob you, only just a little bit less?

As a market anarchist, I believe that there are two main ways to deal with ideological adversaries/opponents. One way is to build a wall between you and him (banishing, ignoring, or destroying your opponent). The other way, and the method I prefer, is to build a bridge between you and him (engagement, compassion, forgiveness, friendliness). In Japan, they express this tactic in one of their 36 strategems, and I mention it because I like the way it's phrased. It says, "Hide a Sword With a Smile." In other words, kill them with kindness.

It is far wiser, and far more effective, and far more practical, to convert and recruit opponents to your side rather than destroy or dismiss them. At the very least, I find this tactic to work better for me, I've had more success with it, and I find that it makes me feel better than simply attacking and "building walls."