The Oppression Of Freedom

Main Entry: op·pres·sion Pronunciation: &-'pre-sh&n Function: noun 1 a : unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power b : something that oppresses especially in being an unjust or excessive exercise of power

Main Entry: free·dom
Pronunciation: 'frE-d&m
Function: noun
1 : the quality or state of being free: as a : the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b : liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another
synonyms FREEDOM, LIBERTY, LICENSE mean the power or condition of acting without compulsion

See, its the same thing over and over. When they don't want you there you aren't liberating them, you are oppressing them. The Iraqi people have gone from an oppressive regime they cannot protest against to one they can protest against. Big whoop.

But the Americans aren't being oppressive! you cry. Actually, the Americans are being oppressive in a different way than Saddam was. With Saddam, the dictator had absolute control, and there were no personal liberties whatsoever. Now its the opposite. - comment by bthings 2000, 3/29/04 @ 4:25 pm (emphasis mine)

Freedom = oppression.

I love this refrain. We're oppressing them with freedom. Dictionary definitions would say otherwise, but who needs definitions? We have conviction and a sense of moral superiority! What's the big deal about the integrity of language? Like everything else it is there simply to serve our idealistic purpose.

Freedom = oppression.

How do we reconcile these two opposites? Oppression is the undue burden of excess rules. Freedom is their absence.

Perhaps we meant to say that the people of Iraq were completely ill-equipped to handle freedom? Maybe we could argue that the Iraqi people are mal-adjusting to the sudden freedom that they experienced? Maybe we could take comfort in the fact that new found freedom takes time to adjust to?

Nah. It's easier to chant our slogan:

Freedom = oppression.

When we're looking at the clouds, do we look for the silver lining, or do we look for the dark, foreboding storm clouds we hope are there?

Protesting Iraqis. Are they: a.) a sign that people are beginning the process of adjusting to their new-found freedoms, or b.) a sign that they must hate us with all their souls and that everything that has transpired heretofore was evil and reprehensible? It must be both! Choice "A" is true because, as we've said before,:

Freedom = oppression.

And certainly they hate us for our oppression. Oppression is evil and reprehensible and now we must be reaping the fruits of our labors. If only we had listened to all the nervous Nevilles before the war we wouldn't be in this predicament! Such evil oppressing oppressors we are, because:

Freedom = oppression.

The slogan is chanted. The slogan is an absolute good, unchallengeable by all. And like any good equation, it holds true both ways:

Freedom = oppression and oppression = freedom.

Don't you see? If we just take away the people's freedoms; if we just take away their choices, only then will they truly be free. Freedom from choice, independent will, and consequences - that is true freedom.

See, people are simply incapable of intelligent decision making. They simply cannot handle the overwhelming choices that they face when they have free choice. We must structure their lives; we must make their most basic decisions for them so that they can live in the true freedom of predetermined destiny.

See, the definitions are simply reversed. Freedom is oppression and oppression is freedom. Choice is evil. Big Brother is right and just.

Because without choice, then, and only then, can there be true equality. When people are given choices, they choose to be individuals. They choose to be different, to pursue selfish interests. Outcomes will be different.

They will be unequal. Inequality cannot be allowed to exist. It is not equality of opportunity, but rather equality of outcome that is of paramount importance. Differences in outcome mean that someone must be being oppressed. Which in turn means:

Freedom = oppression.

It's simply so plain to see, that we just cannot understand why everyone doesn't understand the righteousness of the position. Why must people persist in believing that freedom is a good thing? Why must people persist in believing in the innate goodness of man when it so obvious that man is incapable of handling basic decisions like how to behave? Why? Why? Why?

Why can we not surrender our supposed freedoms to the true freedoms dictated to us? Why can we not understand that we are oppressed by our freedom? Why can we not accept that man is best served by rules, regulations, and laws that dictate everything? Why? Why? Why?

Freedom = oppression and oppression = freedom.

It's so simplismé, no?

Not in the least. Stalin, Lenin, Hitler and Tojo would be proud. Take it for what you will.