It's a poke in the eye directed at those statists and others who for years have been beating up on anyone who publicly acknowledged the possibility of any gov't conspiracy; usually by making comparisons to absurd examples, then sometimes claiming such things are normal or just, and or making false or illogical justifications.

There are real conspiracy theorists out there who are batsh*t crazy, it is quite difficult to tell which ones are actually reasonable. The illogical fallacious arguments are spewed from both sides of the debate.

Also, its possible to be a statist who is disgusted with the government's behavior; its not black and white as the libertarians would try to convince everyone is the case (the NSA is spying us...and we have to pay taxes!). Ya, some of us are pragmatic.

So without a better alternative, we are free to shake our finger at the gov without advocating violent revolution or even deep systematic change. The devil you know...

Of course, living in China gives me quite a different perspective on it all. The US could definitely do much worse, and it is important to stop going in that direction.

>There are real conspiracy theorists out there who are batsh_t crazy,

Yeah, but that doesn't mean they all are.

> it is quite difficult to tell which ones are actually reasonable.

Isn't that the truth. I used to work with a fellow who was absolutely paranoid about gov't surveillance. Some people might think he was a lunatic off his medication if you got him started talking about it. He was an Air Force avionics tech in the 1970's. Everything he ever told me about gov't surveillance has turned out to be true.

> The illogical fallacious arguments are spewed from both sides of the debate.

That happens at the extents of every political faction. Look at the debate surrounding Abortion/Gay Marriage/Drugs/Welfare

>Also, its possible to be a statist who is disgusted with the government's behavior;

I never considered that. I should have though. I can see no reason why someone who would identify as a Statist would be any different than a person from any other political faction. We're all people.

> its not black and white as the libertarians would try to convince everyone is the case (the NSA is spying us...and we have to pay taxes!). Ya, some of us are pragmatic.

I'd be a Libertarian if I thought it could work. And be fair, there are a lot of different folks in that particular faction too. IMO, those Johnny-come-lately post Koch Bros. Libertarians don't really count.

>So without a better alternative, we are free to shake our finger at the gov without advocating violent revolution or even deep systematic change. The devil you know...

I'm not sure what you're getting at.

>Of course, living in China gives me quite a different perspective on it all.

It does give one a different perspective. I lived there in '08 & '09 (though not full time).

>The US could definitely do much worse, and it is important to stop going in that direction.

I have a feeling it could be a _lot_ worse in the US, but that's no reason to accept the status quo. IMO acceptance of the status quo practically guarantees a pretty terrible outcome.