Writing a “decree” or “words to live by” is a positive action, it promotes perspective. I highly recommend it.
A friend recently suggested I write my decree backwards, “picture yourself at your own funeral, and look back on the life you wish to have led”. Well, I’m doing just that, and living that life. By doing this exercise I can assure you that despite recent events of anger and frustration, my decree certainty has nothing to do with any sort of “political” agenda.
I’ve been angry and reactionary, not positive behavior, nor the path I wish to follow. I can be belligerent and stubborn as my friends know, I strive to change this.
I assure you my days of speaking of “politics” are coming to an end and Project BlueSphere will settle into her natural energy once again.
However during this journey I’ve learned a few things I wish to share, and come across some words I must write.
My name is Alex Dorsey, an American citizen, and yes, part of the “system”.
On the front page of my American passport some beautiful words are written in attractive italic type, I used to feel protected by them:
“The secretary of state of the United States Of America hereby requests all whom it may concern to permit the citizen/national of the United States named herein to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful aid and protection.”
These are good words.
However upon closer examination of my passport, and in very small print (I had to read it with my reading glasses and the help of a magnifying glass), the following is printed in bold intrusive type:
“US Government property: This passport is the property of the United States Government. Upon Demand made by an authorized representative of the United States Government it must be surrendered.”
Upon even closer examination with even smaller un-bold type (I really had to strain my eyes) I learned this goes for the non-filing of US taxes while living abroad. I am guilty of this. Even though I have not made enough money to owe anything; I am guilty of this crime and as a result my liberty and home at risk. Well the government come to confiscate Splendid, probably not? But that isn’t the point now is it? The point is the expansion of fear, and I do “fear” loosing my home/ship and having my passport taken away.
This is the way I see it.
I have the right to “citizenship” and a passport as stated in the universal declaration of human rights:
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
I do not recognize any “terms” or “rules” to my human rights. My passport represents a basic human right. It is my property, and I am entitled to it. My ability to travel the world as an American citizen is not a luxury or privilege, it is my absolute right! I say this as a man who also knows in his heart that he is not a criminal of any sort, nor does he owe any money to his government, the American people, and just yearn to live in peace.
I will take care of this “issue” and file my taxes yearly with honesty to protect my human “right” to hold my American passport. I do this only in FEAR that if I do not file my taxes that I will be stripped of my human rights by the very government that is in place to protect them.
I believe the American government is responsible for some of the kindest acts of humanity on the planet, I also believe we are responsible for some of the worst acts of genocide, and crimes against the human race.
I do not believe that we have the right to point fingers at anyone, nor judge them. We have not earned this right as we are responsible for much bloodshed of innocent people.
I have lain in bed looking into the eyes of a woman I cared for, she was Japanese, and from Nagasaki. Her mother told her that “Americans are a hostel people and if she was to stay with me prone to domestic violence”.
You see I must take personal responsibility for the actions of my government, as I am personally judged by them. I can’t just get lost in the “fantasy” of a television program or video game. Some people have said that I don’t live in “reality”. This is about as far from the truth as possible. It’s the other way around.
From a man on the outside looking in I can assure you much of the world sees us (Americans) like this (aggressive, greedy, and hungry for power). I deal with it every time I enter an anchorage and set my hook next to yachts of various nations of the world, and every time I sit at a table drinking a beer with my foreign friends.
I am judged on the flag I fly every day, you are not. This is why the weeks of late have been so difficult for me and I take these actions so seriously. Its one thing to be judged by foreigners for the actions of my nation, it’s completely a different matter when my own nation threatens my liberty and human rights. This is not acceptable to me.
The war in the Middle East is not about fighting for freedom, revenge of 911, or a war on “terrorism”. It is a war for oil and the propagation of our own greed. It must stop immediately!
As a result of the “Patriot act” and current state of war, it is my intention not return to my home soil until I believe I can live under the United States Constitution once again and not in a state of marshal law. I wish to return home in a time of peace, and fly the flag of which I live under honorably. I say this truly wishing to return home one day. My only amendment is I will return home if my family or loved ones need my support of any kind, as no borders can constrain the powers of love and family.
I believe “we the people” (personally (you and me)) have a responsibility as the most powerful nation of the world, to lead by great and profound example. I believe it is our “personal” responsibility to promote peace, harmony, personal sacrifice, and Love for our fellow man. Not sit on a couch watching TV, accepting our fate, and burning six times our share of world resources. It’s embarrassing.
I wish my government to respect the will of United Nations. I also hope one day they acknowledge The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and unequivocally extend these courtesies to the American people, myself included.
No Americans deserves to be thrown out of their home (paid for) into the street under any “tax” circumstance, and no women beaten in her living room by a local police force for having a “too loud” party regardless of the fact that she may have been “insolent” as her privacy was invaded. We must not accept these things and make it our personal responsibility to protect our neighbors from such evil.
A quick story:
I was in the San Blas once. There were 4 pigs eating from a trough. A Kuna went up to one of them and hit it in the head with a killing hammer. It dropped immediately. The other pigs barley acknowledged the incident “not my day”, and went on eating. I find this story appropriate to the way many of us act. Am I personally doing something? I hope so.
I also wish that my rights to privacy be honored by the United States Coast Guard and my home respected. I say this understanding that there are evil powers in the world. However I am not willing to sacrifice my freedoms or privacy as an American citizen in any way, shape, or form, in exchange for any sort of “security” supplied to me by my government. This is NOT the American way!
I believe we were once a great nation respected by the world, now I only see us as the most powerful nation, respected only by its politicians and employees who benefit from the hard work of honest Americans. Unfortunately we are governed by very small and greedy men. This is all of our fault! Voting and paying taxes isn’t enough, we must find personal ways to peacefully act.
The following is my decree, and represent my goals, aspirations, and intentions. This is how I will take action:
I will do the absolute minimum I need to protect my passport and hold “status” as a “responsible” American. I will exercise my freedom as an American citizen to travel the world. I will learn. I will act as a student and treat the people I meet with respect. I will not advocate any political or religious agendas. I will share what I see, feel, and experience through my words, photographs, and videos. I will do this with profound honesty and from my heart. I will lead my life and freedoms by example. I will try to admit when I’m wrong. I will listen more and reach for understanding. I will help those who need help, and in turn ask for help when I need it. I will only ask for what I need in life, no more, and peruse a life of minimalism, peace, and Love.
These are the things I will silently sail for. I do this in hope to inspire change and propagate freedom.
I’ve said what I need to say and may now get back to the business of dealing with my boat. I wont be blogging every day any more.
Thank you for listening.
Alex