Statecraft Informer

Since this a “political” blog, and there seems to be some confusion about “my position” (whatever that actually means), and because I thought you might like to know, I’ve decided to give myself a political “identity.”

Besides, I’ve recently learned a valuable lesson about “labels.”

I hereby officially brand myself:

MODERATE ANARCHIST

Let’s break it down. According to applicable definitions from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary…

• mod·er·ate
Pronunciation: ‘mä-d(&-)r&t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin moderatus, from past participle of moderare to moderate; akin to Latin modus measure

3 : professing or characterized by political or social beliefs that are not extreme

• an·ar·chist
Pronunciation: ‘a-n&r-kist, -”när-
Function: noun

1 : a person who rebels against any authority, established order, or ruling power

Some may say, idiot, that’s an oxymoron.

• ox·y·mo·ron
Pronunciation: “äk-sE-’mor-”än
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural ox·y·mo·ra /-’mor-&/
Etymology: Late Greek oxymOron, from neuter of oxymOros pointedly foolish, from Greek oxys sharp, keen + mOros foolish
: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words (as cruel kindness); broadly : something (as a concept) that is made up of contradictory or incongruous elements

Okay, so maybe it is an oxymoron. You don’t have to call me an idiot.

It’s my label, and like a good label, it’s sticking to me and I’m sticking to it. Based on years of experience as an American; as a Republican; as a Democrat; as an Independent; as a soldier of fortune and a fortunate soldier; as a human being, I have emerged as a moderate anarchist.

I’ve got a boatload of personal opinions and beliefs, which I am always willing to kick around the cracker barrel, but all of them pale in comparison to my vision for a future where the established orders, authorities and ruling powers around the world are tempered by reason and moderation.

Naturally, the more extreme people become about their personal opinions, beliefs and visions for the future, the more extreme even simple moderation may seem. Perhaps even radical.

Hey, maybe there’s a better label for me (and any like-minded citizen of the world who so chooses):

MODERATE RADICAL

• rad·i·cal
Pronunciation: ‘ra-di-k&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin radicalis, from Latin radic-, radix root — more at ROOT

3b : tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions

or

1d : designed to remove the root of a disease or all diseased and potentially diseased tissue

and it even includes:

4 slang : EXCELLENT, COOL

So that’s it, then.

MODERATE RADICAL

MODERAD

MORAD

I’m sure some folks will continue to call me whatever suits their egos.

Now, then, if I turn up missing you’ve clearly misunderstood, for it’s a definite maybe I’m just parked in the driveway, relaxing on my pretty ugly, but genuine imitation leather seats, listening to soft rock.

I’ll be wearing my new classic tight slacks and plastic glasses, so if you want to be alone together, avoid letting out a silent scream and drawing a small crowd.

Just act naturally, and I’ll be terribly pleased to share my working vacation with you.

It’ll be totally cool. Or almost exactly excellent, anyway.