the future, and patriotism vs. rights

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

~ Advice

This is the first age that's ever paid much attention to the future, which is a little ironic since we may not have one.

~ Arthur C. Clarke (1917-) English novelist - science fiction writer best known for his novel 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edge sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How do I know? For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar.

~ Julius Caesar