<p>I made a mistake this weekend. I took the bait and fell into a trap.</p>
<p>I mistakenly got into one of those "discussions" about something I believe. The kind where I'm talking about something I believe so completely that there's no convincing me otherwise. The other person believes the opposite just as completely.</p>
<p>We dance around about high level stuff for awhile mincing words, throwing clever examples and anecdotal evidence back and forth. After sometime I realize the truth: <em>we disagree so fundamentally that there's no reconciling our differences about the superficial details.</em></p>
<p>I realized (or maybe re-realized for the umpteenth time) that we often or almost always have different base assumptions, different Truths™ that we base all our other ideas upon. I am going to try an experiment, when I can't not get sucked into these conversations that I should otherwise prefer to avoid, I'll start by stating my assumptions.</p>
<p>Let's start with the assumption that animals deserve liberty, too.</p>
<p>Let's start with the assumption that for the same reason you don't believe in all the gods of other religions, I don't believe in yours either.</p>
<p>Let's start with the assumption that the suffering of animals (both human and non-human) and the wholesale destruction of the planet are intrinsically linked.</p>
<p>Let's start with the assumption that we are running out of oil (of natural gas, coal, fresh water, arable land... of all life supporting systems) and that Our Way of Life™ cannot continute forever.</p>
<p>Let's start with the assumption that infinite growth in a finite system is not only not preferable, but simply not possible.</p>
<p>Let's start with the assumption that if something didn't work before (especially if it hasn't worked for years/decades/ever), doing more of it this year won't work either.</p>
<p>Let's start with the assumption that you and I might (or probably) won't agree about everything and that doesn't mean we can't be friends.</p>

<p>Here's the difference, as I see it.</p>

<p>To <em>take over</em> is outsiders coming in. Imperialism.</p>

<p>To <em>take back</em> is to reclaim what was once yours. Independence.</p>

<p>So, to take over, say... a city that was never yours and that you're not from, sounds to me like you're a bunch of ego-maniacal imperialists. Might as well be building a fucking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathstar" title="Deathstar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia">fully operational battle-station</a>.</p>

<p>On the other hand, to live in that same city and to reclaim it from the evil forces that control it and (by proxy) you, <strong>that</strong> sounds to me like a revolution. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebel_alliance" title="Rebel Alliance - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia">A rebellion of worthy allies</a>.</p>

<p>Imperialists always get what's coming to them. Just ask Rome.</p>