About Mike Gogulski, future stateless person
26 May 2008 by Mike GogulskiPosted in diary | 17 Comments »
Welcome to nostate.com, I’m Mike Gogulski, future stateless person.
I live in Bratislava, Slovakia, where I work as a translator, editor and proofreader. My professional activities are detailed on my main website, www.gogulski.com.
I plan to renounce my American citizenship in protest of what has become an American Empire, a nation that I see riding an express train to police state dictatorship with flags flying, anthems blaring and deluded, complicit masses cheering it along the track. Hopefully, others will be motivated to do the same by my example, though I recognize inertia as the most powerful force in human affairs.
My political philosophy — which could be variously termed anarchism, anarcho-capitalism or individualist anarchism — informs this decision, but it is my disgust over what America has become — in bloody, murderous, thieving contrast to what it professes — which motivates it.
I have not attached a specific date yet to my renunciation, but I have lately (mid-May 2008) decided to no longer make it conditional on the US government opening its next atrocious act on the world stage. I had told myself as long as two years ago that I would renounce when the US attacked Iran, exploded a nuclear weapon, deployed a bio-weapon, declared martial law, annexed a territory or canceled an election. I became very involved for that reason in watching the news closely for signs that any of those eventualities might be approaching. In doing so, however, I’ve come to the realization that I need no more justification. The United States’ record, as a domestic and international governmental entity, is beyond appalling, and I need no further reasons to denounce it and renounce my association with it. Perhaps I am late in doing so.
Loosely, my plan calls for me to enter the US Embassy in Bratislava sometime between late August and early October 2008 and renounce my citizenship. I have some things to put in order meanwhile, both personally and to minimize or acclimate myself to whatever horrors await me on the other side of becoming an official unperson.
This website is my chronicle of the journey, my release for the disillusionment and rage I feel and, perhaps, my support group and sounding board. Stay tuned.
You can find full contact information for me on my professional site. Instant messaging from people I don’t know will be largely ignored. Flames will be responded to in kind. Donations to the cause are accepted graciously via my commercial data page, or via the various advertising and affiliate crap you’ll find around the site.
The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder
Last Flag Down: The Epic Journey of the Last Confederate Warship
17 Responses to “About Mike Gogulski, future stateless person”
By Kent McManigal on 8 June 2008
While I cheer your actions if you feel it is important to do this, I also see it as giving more importance to “citizenship” than it deserves. I say, ignore it.
By anon on 9 June 2008
Hello. I am a fellow anarcho-capitalist. A few things struck me as odd in your post.
1. Canceling an election was once part of your criteria for canceling your US citizenship. That would make it appear that you find an objective difference between a large amount of people using force on someone and a small amount of people using force on someone. Why?
2. Slovakia is a State. You will not be stateless once you renounce citizenship. Furthermore, Slovakia resorts to the same methods of violence the US does domestically. Namely, imprisoning tax evaders and shooting them if they attempt to escape.
3. Renouncing citizenship really accomplishes nothing, either in principle or in effect. You will still be supporting another system of violence with your tax money. Of course, I am using the word “support” loosely here because the reality is that paying tax money is essentially a form of self-defense.
In effect, I’m willing to bet you’ll be paying more taxes in Slovakia. I’m not so sure about this assertion though.
4. Renouncing citizenship is actually quite hard (especially US citizenship).
By Mike Gogulski on 9 June 2008
Dear anon,
Thanks for writing.
1: I don’t personally believe that democracy as practiced around the world today is a good thing. That said, most people do, and canceling an election would reveal American democracy for the sham that it is. It would also be a historical event to pin my own little crusade to. As for the second part of your question, I don’t really follow what you’re asking. In general terms, though, I believe we can look at human actions and classify them in binary terms (good or bad) but also in relative terms (less bad or more bad).
2: Though I live in Slovakia, I am not a citizen of the country. By renouncing my sole citizenship, I will in fact become stateless. And of course I’m aware of the nature of the state here, as everywhere.
3: Arguably true in an objective sense, but my motivations are primarily subjective. We’ll see what is accomplished. As to the second part of this, yes, it’s yet another system of violence which I am compelled to support through taxation. I happen to believe, though, that if I am to seek that my taxes go to support lesser rather than greater evil, that the lesser is to be found here.
4: I know. It promises to be quite a ride.
By Mike Gogulski on 9 June 2008
Dear Kent,
Perhaps you are right, but this is a subjective thing, the motivation for which I described elsewhere thus:
Citizenship of a state carries with it both duties and privileges. We can likely both agree that the duties are odious and shedding them would be a delight. As for the privileges, the main ones that concern me are the right to be physically present in its territory and a claim to the state’s protection. I do not want the empire’s vaunted “protection”, certainly, and I don’t need it. Being unable to visit the country to see family and friends is a sacrifice however, but one that I am willing to make.
The motivational story goes something like this. I grew up as nearly every American child does subjected to the standard public-school brainwashing program of American exceptionalism, and it took long years to begin waking up from that, and even longer years to see the full extent of the monstrosity that America’s perversion of “liberty” has created. America is indeed exceptional: it is exceptionally evil. Must I list the empire’s crimes, at home and abroad? They should be well known to those reading this already.
Note that the usage of the words “America” and “American” here are directed at the institution of the state, not the majority of the American people, and certainly not at the territory itself.
So, I seek to divorce myself from the evil that I see and which lays claim to me by means of citizenship. It’s nothing specific now, it’s the whole bloody, thieving, murderous history. I had been telling myself for a time that I would renounce when missiles started flying toward Tehran, or when the US detonated a nuclear weapon in war, or declared martial law at home. As I’ve worked closer to this act, though, I have had to realize that I don’t need some *new* imperial horror to pin my protest to, there is plenty going on already, and a blood-drenched historical record as well.
By Kent McManigal on 9 June 2008
I accept no duties except for those I explicitly agree to, from the state or from any individual. I do what I must to keep the state from killing me, just as I would when dealing with any insane aggressor. I also make a distiction between “America” (the people and the ideals) and the “United States” (the government which illegally occupies America).
By Acumensch on 11 June 2008
To the first comment about giving more to “citizenship” than it deserves – but renouncing this symbol, or showing that it is possible, is exactly what is needed.
By Ozzy on 14 August 2008
Mike
Kudos to you. Much of what you wrote here and in your blogs resonates deeply with me; indeed, I have experienced identical thoughts, including the desire to renounce my US citizenship, though my timeline is tied to my family and personal obligations rather than to external events. Just wanted you to know I understand understand what you are doing and why, and I also understand the amount of courage – both physical and intellectual – this will take. Well done and fare thee well.
By Doug on 12 December 2008
I toyed with this very idea back in early 2003, not long after arriving in Europe with my native German wife.
I was encouraged by a friend and media-type in the München area, who was interested in managing the ensuing media circus he surely wished to have a part in creating. I was alternately discouraged by my wife, who’s practical concerns (travel, especially) ultimately won out at the time as I performed the required “homework” — and realized exactly what the limitations would be at the time.
That said, I must offer up my sincere congratulations at your having decided to run the gauntlets of state with your head held high. Let’s just hope it’s small enough not to attract snipers, right…? =)
Came across your story via Kev’s link from Cryptogon, and I’ll be keeping a weather eye on your story as it unfolds, for certain.
By Mike Gogulski on 15 December 2008
I hear ya, Doug. Not a road for everyone, and thanks, I’ll keep my head down
If your media circus ringleader has some free time on his hands and an ongoing interest, drop him a tip for me?
By Haas on 13 February 2009
Mike,
I applaud you and envy what you have accomplished. you have the gift of being bilingual which has greatly facilitated your goal.
I have only suicide Mike and will be gone before you have even reviewed my post.
You are living what I had dreamed of for more than 17 years…
By Kent McManigal on 13 February 2009
Haas,
on the off-chance you are still alive, if things are that bad, why not just grab a backpack and start walking? Leave everything behind and start a new life from scratch. You have nothing to lose, right? Think about it, please!
By Mike Gogulski on 14 February 2009
I’m with Kent on that one.
By Seth on 14 February 2009
That, or take an especially murderous and well deserving criminal cop out with you.
By rama on 9 April 2009
Well, Mike, Haas, and friends, I thought of a similar thing in 1998. I am from Europe but studied extensively the colonialism and industrial enslavement that has lead to this tragedy of errors that we all now face. I can empathise with you Haas, I think many of us feel so disturbed by the injustice that we are getting to breaking point, frequently, and, of course, that’s what the jobsworths want us to feel. My own emotional drag came after 911, and as the corruption gathered pace, circumstances in my own life mirrored and still does, the betrayals, theft and destruction wrought upon us all. I keep on looking for a place to create justice and renew energy, but I can’t find anywhere, especially with the increasing restriction on immigration, everything!
I’ve been fighting authority, (morally), all my life.
tired but keen
rama
By Mike Coll on 10 April 2009
Hi MIke, very interesting to say the least.I am a Minister of the scriptures.The scriptures make it quite clear that the devil is the god of this world, or the god of this system.He is the god of the nations,He is the deceiver of the whole world.He is the god of politics, He is the god of commerce, and He is the god of religion, and these three make up his visible organization on the earth. This is why there is such madness,such insanity.The governments are beasts, they are arrogant, haughty, twisted and incapable of administering justice.They are the great oppressors of the earth.What is the future for the hateful nations? As the scripture states in Zephaniah 3 verse 8 My determination is to gather the nations,assemble the kingdoms that I may pour out upon them the indignation of my wrath. All the devils governments will be wiped off the face of the earth. Is anyone familiar with the temptations of Christ? The devil offered him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory if Christ would fall down and worship the devil. You cannot offer something that is not yours, I cannot offer you your neighbors car but I can offer you my own, the devil offers the nations because He is their ruler and controller. He controls the people through lies,deceit,propaganda, the media, through fear, through intimidation, etc..the greatest uprising the world has ever known , the greatest rebellion, the greatest rejection of the devil and his twisted system is rapidly approaching. The scriptures describe it as one shall become a thousand I will hasten it in its time, or a nation shall be born in one day. Nice chatting with everyone
By HKA on 26 April 2009
Is it actually possible to just renounce US citizenship? In my country it is necessary to show proof of other citizenship or it can not be revoked.
By Mike Gogulski on 28 April 2009
@Rama: Fight on!
@Mike: Quite a perspective… not one I share, but powerful.
@HKA: Well, yes.