We are confronted with a fascinating political situation in the United States, or at least, a quite interesting one. President Obama is less populat than ever, as any American president would be under the circumstances.
The "circumstances" are that the United States is a bankrupt empire, which must soon make the same painful decision made by the British after World War Two: to no longer be and maintain an empire, but rather to contract back into a democratic republic content to be contained, for the most part, within its own borders.
The American manufacturing base is gone to countries with cheaper labor markets in the global corporate plutocracy, and the pooring of America abides apace. So, it really isnt' very likely that any president of the USA will be popular very long, no matter what his or her policies.
If you're a womanizer, be careful about running for president. Cain is learning this, and Gingrich might not be far behind in the learning curve. Mitt Romney will be ripped apart because of his history of changing views, and his socialistic statd health care system. The Republicans will have a weak candidate to run against a weak president, the American people will select the lesser of two evils, and the American empire will either withdraw gracefully from the world stage, or it will withdraw the hard waythrough internal collapse and economic chaos. Stay tuned.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Appearances
The big news items today are as follows: Miley Cyrus comes out in favor of the Occupy Wall STreet movement, and GOP presiential hopeful Herman Cain denies thirteen year affair.
The first is important because in our modern world celebrity support is needed to achieve almost anything. Miley has rdeedicated one of her great songs to the protest movement, and incorporated it into a video which is attracting much attention.
One wonders whether Herman Cain is seriously running for the presidency, or attracting attention.
Perhaps he never thought he'd be running. Surely he could not believe that his life would evade scrutiny.
The first is important because in our modern world celebrity support is needed to achieve almost anything. Miley has rdeedicated one of her great songs to the protest movement, and incorporated it into a video which is attracting much attention.
One wonders whether Herman Cain is seriously running for the presidency, or attracting attention.
Perhaps he never thought he'd be running. Surely he could not believe that his life would evade scrutiny.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Truth?
How many times have you heard someone say "I don't get mad very often, but when I do, you'd better watch out." I've heard it many times. In fact, it seems almost everybody says that, and apparently believes it, about themselves.
But the truth is quite different. The truth is, I become mildly annoyed people almost constantly, but I get over it almost instantly. And I strongly suspect the same is true of all humans. At least, that's the impression I've gotten from observing people.
It may be that we all want to think of ourselves as mighty forces held in noble restraint by a mighty soul, it may be that we want others to be aware of our potential power, as well as our generous restraint.
Without a doubt, we seldom like to tell the truth about ourselves, and our motivations.
People in large groups, like nations, are even less fond of the truth.
Examples are innumerable. For example, we are told that the people who man the United States military base in Cuba are standing on a wall, risking their lives guarding our freedom. In truth they are standing there extending the empire of the United States of America.
But the truth is quite different. The truth is, I become mildly annoyed people almost constantly, but I get over it almost instantly. And I strongly suspect the same is true of all humans. At least, that's the impression I've gotten from observing people.
It may be that we all want to think of ourselves as mighty forces held in noble restraint by a mighty soul, it may be that we want others to be aware of our potential power, as well as our generous restraint.
Without a doubt, we seldom like to tell the truth about ourselves, and our motivations.
People in large groups, like nations, are even less fond of the truth.
Examples are innumerable. For example, we are told that the people who man the United States military base in Cuba are standing on a wall, risking their lives guarding our freedom. In truth they are standing there extending the empire of the United States of America.
Friday, November 25, 2011
The Pyramid
Life is a pyramid. Human society is a pyramid. Pyramids can have many shapes, but the top can never be larger than the bottom, lest the pyramid fall and crumble.
All financially successful huge house types say that anyone can do it, all it takes is hard work, and good decisions. The bottom of the pyramid never does enough of this, it seems.
But what if the bottom of the pyramid suddenly started to? - suddenly started to work hard, and make good decisions, that is?
Would we all wind up living in mansions, millionaires? All seven billion of us? Is that what we want?
If I were making a million a year, and living in a 5000 sq ft house, I might still be at the bottom of the pyramid, with Bill Gates and Warren Buffet making a trillion a year and living in one million sq ft houses.Wouldn't THAT be nice?
All financially successful huge house types say that anyone can do it, all it takes is hard work, and good decisions. The bottom of the pyramid never does enough of this, it seems.
But what if the bottom of the pyramid suddenly started to? - suddenly started to work hard, and make good decisions, that is?
Would we all wind up living in mansions, millionaires? All seven billion of us? Is that what we want?
If I were making a million a year, and living in a 5000 sq ft house, I might still be at the bottom of the pyramid, with Bill Gates and Warren Buffet making a trillion a year and living in one million sq ft houses.Wouldn't THAT be nice?
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Plutocracy in Peril
So we're stuck on the issue of whether we should raise taxes on the wealthy. The wealthy are being taxed at a lower rate now than they have been in over 50 years. Many wealthy people, including Warren Buffet, Bill Clinton, and hundreds others, have stated that their own taxes are too low, and that raising taxes on the wealthy would harm no one, would help everybody, and would make sense.
The American people, by a wide margin, favor doing so. And yet, it hasn't happened, and it appears that it won't happen anytime soon. This is yet another proof of the corporate ownership of the United States, rule by the wealthy, plutocratic oligarchy.
There are millions of Americans who support the Occupy movement, but are unable to hit the streets and camp out. These are middle class Americans with jobs, showers, and mortgages, like myself.
If we start hitting the streets in large numbers the plutocracy will be in peril.
The American people, by a wide margin, favor doing so. And yet, it hasn't happened, and it appears that it won't happen anytime soon. This is yet another proof of the corporate ownership of the United States, rule by the wealthy, plutocratic oligarchy.
There are millions of Americans who support the Occupy movement, but are unable to hit the streets and camp out. These are middle class Americans with jobs, showers, and mortgages, like myself.
If we start hitting the streets in large numbers the plutocracy will be in peril.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Change
GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is the latest conservative to articulate the attitude of disdain for the Occupy Wall Street protesters. They should all get cleaned up, and get jobs. Newt evidently doesn't pay enough attention to people to understand that they have already done this. They take showers, and they have jobs. Is there no end to the stupidity of people who believe that all is well with the world, and that no change is needed?
Conservatism is the philosophy that the world does not need to be changed. Liberalism is the phhilosophy that the world in its current state is dreadful, and needs change. The more change, the more liberal. People who are personally well off seldom see mcuh need for change, which is why the folks who demand change are often of lower status, and do most of the complaining.
Challenge yourself. Ask yourself if you really believe that little or no change in the global economic system is needed. Remember that in the UNited States, the world's wealthiest country, nearly a quarter of the population lives in poverty, and that worldwide, the percentage is even higher.
Are all these impoverished people stupid and lazy? Or are they trapped in a political and economic system which offers them nothing? The more people who see the need for change, the more likely it is to occur.
Conservatism is the philosophy that the world does not need to be changed. Liberalism is the phhilosophy that the world in its current state is dreadful, and needs change. The more change, the more liberal. People who are personally well off seldom see mcuh need for change, which is why the folks who demand change are often of lower status, and do most of the complaining.
Challenge yourself. Ask yourself if you really believe that little or no change in the global economic system is needed. Remember that in the UNited States, the world's wealthiest country, nearly a quarter of the population lives in poverty, and that worldwide, the percentage is even higher.
Are all these impoverished people stupid and lazy? Or are they trapped in a political and economic system which offers them nothing? The more people who see the need for change, the more likely it is to occur.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Complaining
A couple of young well dressed stock broker one per cent types were on TV being interviewed next to the Occupy Wall Street protest in New York. Their attitude about the Occupiers could not have been more disdainful; "get a job, stop complaining, clean up and work within the system to become successful", that sort of thing.
Of course, its not really one per cent versus ninetly nine per cent. A lot of people who are not in the one per cent are doing personally very well within the corporate system, and well fed servants tend less to complain.
And complaining is exactly what the mobs are doing, and the worst off are most likely to complain.
Chances are, most of the protesters already have jobs, or have before, and will again soon.
What the disdainful fail to realize is that even if everyone got a job and quit complaining, the situation would still be the same, our society would still be enslaved by the same evils and ills, but nobody would be complaining about it. And no matter who you are, you understand that our society needs improving. Its only a matter of who to blame, and what changesto make.
Of course, its not really one per cent versus ninetly nine per cent. A lot of people who are not in the one per cent are doing personally very well within the corporate system, and well fed servants tend less to complain.
And complaining is exactly what the mobs are doing, and the worst off are most likely to complain.
Chances are, most of the protesters already have jobs, or have before, and will again soon.
What the disdainful fail to realize is that even if everyone got a job and quit complaining, the situation would still be the same, our society would still be enslaved by the same evils and ills, but nobody would be complaining about it. And no matter who you are, you understand that our society needs improving. Its only a matter of who to blame, and what changesto make.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Openmindedness
The purpose of this website is to promote the message that all points of view have merit, all contain at least a basis of truth, Christian, non Christian, liberal, conservative; all seven billion religions on this planet and all seven billion political ideologies..have value.
Human nature finds the individual establishing a set of beliefs, clinging to them tenaciously, and fighting all others. Far different to accept in advance the correctness of any belief which differs from one's own.
"The world advances only because of those who oppose it." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
I dare any Christian to approach a Moslem, and declare "your religiosity is as true as mine, albeit different."
I dare any liberal to approach any conservative with the same conciliatory political message.
Even if we could create an eclectic assimilation of human thought, would we be any closer to any ultimate truth? May we all at least have enough humility to understand that our greatest, deepest thoughts are, ultimately, inadequate.
Human nature finds the individual establishing a set of beliefs, clinging to them tenaciously, and fighting all others. Far different to accept in advance the correctness of any belief which differs from one's own.
"The world advances only because of those who oppose it." (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
I dare any Christian to approach a Moslem, and declare "your religiosity is as true as mine, albeit different."
I dare any liberal to approach any conservative with the same conciliatory political message.
Even if we could create an eclectic assimilation of human thought, would we be any closer to any ultimate truth? May we all at least have enough humility to understand that our greatest, deepest thoughts are, ultimately, inadequate.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Protest Motivation
I keep wondering what I would do if I were camped out near Wall Street for several weeks with several hundred other people, how I would spend my time. Its rather hard to imagine myself not getting into some kind of trouble. I'm sure I would spend a lot of time meeting new people, talking, and expousing the necessity and glory of revolution in our corrupt and decadent culture.
But that would only go so far. I would need other diversions. I might have some good books with me, to keep in my tent. Maybe a radio. Then too, why not a laptop and a smart phone? Hell, throw in a few pots and pans, and I might as well be home.
I think I might get to feeling a bit claustrophobic. I can imagine myself wanting to take breaks from Zuccotti Park, and walk around lower Manhattan, possibly over to Battery Park. Are the protesters showering often enough? That would concern me.
To be an Occupy Wall Street protester full time, I would have to be mighty motivated. I salute the people who are, and I remind them, and everyone else; sustained protests usually work in this country. The Viet Nam war protests, the women's rights protests, the racial equality demonstrations - all worked, all achieved, for the most part, their purpose. The gay rights movement is next in line, and the political and economic equality movement has just begun.
But that would only go so far. I would need other diversions. I might have some good books with me, to keep in my tent. Maybe a radio. Then too, why not a laptop and a smart phone? Hell, throw in a few pots and pans, and I might as well be home.
I think I might get to feeling a bit claustrophobic. I can imagine myself wanting to take breaks from Zuccotti Park, and walk around lower Manhattan, possibly over to Battery Park. Are the protesters showering often enough? That would concern me.
To be an Occupy Wall Street protester full time, I would have to be mighty motivated. I salute the people who are, and I remind them, and everyone else; sustained protests usually work in this country. The Viet Nam war protests, the women's rights protests, the racial equality demonstrations - all worked, all achieved, for the most part, their purpose. The gay rights movement is next in line, and the political and economic equality movement has just begun.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Flourishing Protest
The Truthless Reconciler might need to eat some crow. Yesterday I predicted that the Occupy Wall STreet movement was fizzling out - which is the same prediction I made when the movement started - and again, I appear to have been wrong. These various cities were probably hoping and thinking that the protests would fizzle, but after two months they appeared to be doing the opposite, so the cities began to feel panicky, and started using the police to break it up. But everywhere they broke it up, it came back, stronger than ever.
In order to be effective, this protest will have to endure and flourish for years, and it certainly hasn't proven yet that it can do that. The women's rights protest movement, the racial equality movement, and the anti-Viet Nam war movement all were effective, because they persisted for years, and because they steadily gained new members. That's what the current movement must do.
The women's movement succeeded when it gained support from men, the black equality movement became successful when it gained the support of non blacks, and the Viet Nam protests became effective when they expanded to include more than just college students.
Right now, Occupy Wall Street is indeed mainly college students, but it alrready has more support elsewhere, in a large percentage of the population, if not 99%. Millions of Americans are sympathetic to the cause, but are at home comfortably watching on TV.
What exactly is the cause? Greater, much greater, social, political, and economic equality.
Power to the people.
In order to be effective, this protest will have to endure and flourish for years, and it certainly hasn't proven yet that it can do that. The women's rights protest movement, the racial equality movement, and the anti-Viet Nam war movement all were effective, because they persisted for years, and because they steadily gained new members. That's what the current movement must do.
The women's movement succeeded when it gained support from men, the black equality movement became successful when it gained the support of non blacks, and the Viet Nam protests became effective when they expanded to include more than just college students.
Right now, Occupy Wall Street is indeed mainly college students, but it alrready has more support elsewhere, in a large percentage of the population, if not 99%. Millions of Americans are sympathetic to the cause, but are at home comfortably watching on TV.
What exactly is the cause? Greater, much greater, social, political, and economic equality.
Power to the people.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The PEE Party
The Occupy Wall Street movement seems to be fizzling out, at least the camped out in the park phase thereof. I predicted that this would happen, but sooner. After all, what else can happen to a protest movement?
The best thing for the Occupy movement to do would be to take to the internet, and stay there, organizing, planning, and growing....and then to come out once a year for a one week worldwide festival of protest in the big cities.
Perhaps a global political party can form therefrom. Call it the "Political and Economic Equality Party"... "PEE", or "PEEP".
The best thing for the Occupy movement to do would be to take to the internet, and stay there, organizing, planning, and growing....and then to come out once a year for a one week worldwide festival of protest in the big cities.
Perhaps a global political party can form therefrom. Call it the "Political and Economic Equality Party"... "PEE", or "PEEP".
Monday, November 14, 2011
Plenty of Blame
I'm trying to imagine what I would have done had I been the coach who caught Sandusky raping a child. I know exactly what my first impulse would have been. I would have been tempted to run out of the building, and keep running. Such would have been my shock, horror, and fear. (the key word is "fear", of which we are all full). The assistant coach who was forced into this situation is about six eight, two seventy, which makes a difference.
The honest to goodness truth is that I think I would have done the same thing the graduate assistant coach did, the same thing Paterno did, and the same things the Athletic Director and the University President did. All because of fear. Then, later, I would have wished I had done more. I would prefer to think I would have intervened heroically. Or at least, honorably.
We all agree on two things. One, Sandusky is a monster. Two,There are still more people at fault, more people to blame, for this horrible situation. The question is: how many? Who?
For one, Joe Paterno. That's been decided. Also, the A.D., and the Penn State president. Still hanging in the balance is the graduate assistant coach. So the blame spreads. But how much further?
Highly educated "experts" on television are starting to blame the Penn State athletic department, and now, the entire culture of intercollegiate athletics. Like a fire blame spreads.
But why stop? Why not let the blame spread naturally, until it burns itself out?
I decree that we are all to blame. American culture is to blame. After all, there's plenty of blame to go around.
The honest to goodness truth is that I think I would have done the same thing the graduate assistant coach did, the same thing Paterno did, and the same things the Athletic Director and the University President did. All because of fear. Then, later, I would have wished I had done more. I would prefer to think I would have intervened heroically. Or at least, honorably.
We all agree on two things. One, Sandusky is a monster. Two,There are still more people at fault, more people to blame, for this horrible situation. The question is: how many? Who?
For one, Joe Paterno. That's been decided. Also, the A.D., and the Penn State president. Still hanging in the balance is the graduate assistant coach. So the blame spreads. But how much further?
Highly educated "experts" on television are starting to blame the Penn State athletic department, and now, the entire culture of intercollegiate athletics. Like a fire blame spreads.
But why stop? Why not let the blame spread naturally, until it burns itself out?
I decree that we are all to blame. American culture is to blame. After all, there's plenty of blame to go around.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Divisive Negativity
The extremely divided nature of the United States has been observable to many for the last couple of decades. Obviously, in one way or another, the United States of America has always been divided, whether between loyalists and revolutionaries, north and south, or over the Viet Nam war.
WE remember when Tip O'Neil and Ronald Reagan worked out their differences through deliberate compromise, without anger, rancor, or slander.
What is noticable about the current situation is that you hear people spending more time and effort attacking those with whom they disagree, rather than expousing the virtues of their own positions.
And that, fellow citizens, might be the essential feature of our modern discourse which makes it so divisive. Its been going on a long time. The Adams people, the Federalists, called Thomas Jefferosn an adulterer, which he may have been, but they didn't dwell on it endlessly. If you read the Lincoln Douglas debates, they both spend considerably more verbiage extolling their own ideals than deprecating the opponent's.
I keep waiting for Rush Limbaugh to sing the praises of conservatism, and to back it up with facts, rather than constantly attacking liberals. I've been waiting since 1994, and my wait may not soon be over.
WE remember when Tip O'Neil and Ronald Reagan worked out their differences through deliberate compromise, without anger, rancor, or slander.
What is noticable about the current situation is that you hear people spending more time and effort attacking those with whom they disagree, rather than expousing the virtues of their own positions.
And that, fellow citizens, might be the essential feature of our modern discourse which makes it so divisive. Its been going on a long time. The Adams people, the Federalists, called Thomas Jefferosn an adulterer, which he may have been, but they didn't dwell on it endlessly. If you read the Lincoln Douglas debates, they both spend considerably more verbiage extolling their own ideals than deprecating the opponent's.
I keep waiting for Rush Limbaugh to sing the praises of conservatism, and to back it up with facts, rather than constantly attacking liberals. I've been waiting since 1994, and my wait may not soon be over.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Moral Illness
The big question behind someone like Jerry Sandusky, (and their are evidently plenty of sexual child abusers running around), is, is there a mental illness problem, or a moral defect, a lack of morality?
My inclination is to look hard at the morality factor. Morality is of course concerned with good behavior, perfect morality being, in theory, perfectly good behavior, which of course nobody except Jesus Christ ever possessed. This means that we all, if we want or need something badly enough, and are sufficiently constrained from it, will resort to immoral behavior to obtain it.
This seems to be what Sandusky did. What he wanted was a life which included the joys and attributes of a sex life. Who doesn't? His big problem was being gay. As a high profile football coach in a small, close knit community, Sandusky possibly considered an above board, age appropiate homosexual relationship out of the question, because it might threaten his career. A secret relationship would have been impossible.
All old people are attracted to young people. Let's get that straight right now. We are all "pedophiles", mentally. "Pedophiles of the heart", former president Jimmy Carter might say.
What makes people moral is their behavior, not their biological inclinations. Its OK for a middle aged person to be attracted to a young person, but its not OK to act on it. Is it mental illness to be attracted to people who haven't even reached puberty? Probably. And possibly, just possibly, the pain and rejection brought about by the threat of loss of status can trigger mental illness.
My inclination is to look hard at the morality factor. Morality is of course concerned with good behavior, perfect morality being, in theory, perfectly good behavior, which of course nobody except Jesus Christ ever possessed. This means that we all, if we want or need something badly enough, and are sufficiently constrained from it, will resort to immoral behavior to obtain it.
This seems to be what Sandusky did. What he wanted was a life which included the joys and attributes of a sex life. Who doesn't? His big problem was being gay. As a high profile football coach in a small, close knit community, Sandusky possibly considered an above board, age appropiate homosexual relationship out of the question, because it might threaten his career. A secret relationship would have been impossible.
All old people are attracted to young people. Let's get that straight right now. We are all "pedophiles", mentally. "Pedophiles of the heart", former president Jimmy Carter might say.
What makes people moral is their behavior, not their biological inclinations. Its OK for a middle aged person to be attracted to a young person, but its not OK to act on it. Is it mental illness to be attracted to people who haven't even reached puberty? Probably. And possibly, just possibly, the pain and rejection brought about by the threat of loss of status can trigger mental illness.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Brain Freeze
My mother looked out her kitchen window, and noticed that all her neighbors had their garbage cans out by the curb, ready for pick up, even though it was a holiday, with no trash service. She said to me "those dumb asses." Tactfully, meekly, I asked whether she might be responding a bit harshly. After all, people do forget things.
So what's with this national piling on of poor presidential candidate Rick Perry? The guy makes one mistake, has a mental block, and the media, and apparently a large part of the audience, is asking whether he is fit to be president! For heaven's sake, call off the attack dogs!
As a socialistic liberal democrat, I won't be voting for Perry, or any other conservative, in all probability. But this reaction to his brain freeze is entirely ridiculous. Let's all relax, and give the guy a break. If mental blocks disqualified a person from political office, we'd have no government.
So what's with this national piling on of poor presidential candidate Rick Perry? The guy makes one mistake, has a mental block, and the media, and apparently a large part of the audience, is asking whether he is fit to be president! For heaven's sake, call off the attack dogs!
As a socialistic liberal democrat, I won't be voting for Perry, or any other conservative, in all probability. But this reaction to his brain freeze is entirely ridiculous. Let's all relax, and give the guy a break. If mental blocks disqualified a person from political office, we'd have no government.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Blame Game
The Joe Paterno thing is surrealistic. It makes you wonder, "when will I wake up and realize that this is a bad dream.?" The bad news, we aren't dreaming, and we won't wake up. There is no good news.
What's fascinating is watching the American people, and the American media, play the blame game.
WE're all over the charts. Jerry Sandusky? Absolutely. But then, who, or what, else?
Obviously Paterno and the University president were deemed culpible, at least to some degree, although nobody can elucidate exactly to what degree.
Students at Penn State are blaming the media. Hell, why not? Yesterday, I pitched in and blamed the corporate owners of the media. Again, why not?
I'll take it one step further, the one step nobody seems willing to take. I'll blame all of us, I'll blame American society.
Jerry Sundusky wanted a career as a football coach, and Jerry Sandusky was gay. Where would his coaching career have gone had he dated other adult men, openly, and properly? We all know the answer to that. Thanks to the barbarity of American culture, nowhere. So he chose to pursue a strategy which would gratify his sex drive and be secret.
Maybe, just maybe, American culture forced him, or at least encouraged him, to a desperate strategy.
What's fascinating is watching the American people, and the American media, play the blame game.
WE're all over the charts. Jerry Sandusky? Absolutely. But then, who, or what, else?
Obviously Paterno and the University president were deemed culpible, at least to some degree, although nobody can elucidate exactly to what degree.
Students at Penn State are blaming the media. Hell, why not? Yesterday, I pitched in and blamed the corporate owners of the media. Again, why not?
I'll take it one step further, the one step nobody seems willing to take. I'll blame all of us, I'll blame American society.
Jerry Sundusky wanted a career as a football coach, and Jerry Sandusky was gay. Where would his coaching career have gone had he dated other adult men, openly, and properly? We all know the answer to that. Thanks to the barbarity of American culture, nowhere. So he chose to pursue a strategy which would gratify his sex drive and be secret.
Maybe, just maybe, American culture forced him, or at least encouraged him, to a desperate strategy.
Peterno Protest
The kids at Penn State are raising hell about the firing of Paterno, bless their hearts, more power to them. But, like most Americans who raise hell, they are barking up the wrong tree.
They just weren't sure who, or what, to be angry at. They started out with anger against the pedophile, moved on to the Board of Directors, then started lashing out, in song and chant, against, you guessed it, the media. Who among us doesn't lash out against the media? After all, the media is our national scapegoat.
Anger at pedophilia is justified. So is anger against an arrogant bureaucratic Board of Directors.
But anger at the media? Oh come on! Again the American urge to shoot the messenger.
No doubt the media frenzy frightened the bureaucratically self protective Board into firing Jo Pa.
The mdia tries to make as much money for its owners as it can, by entertaining the American people as well as it can, in order to attract as much attention from we, the unswashed masses, as it can, in order to sell as much advertising as it can, to lure we the great unwashed to spend as much of our money as we can, to increase profits for the owners.....this is dizzying, but you get the point. Sound familiar?
The Penn State Paterno protesters should join the Occupy Wall Street movement, just like the tea party should join the Occupy Wall Street movement. Two Words: CORPORATE OLIGARCHY
They just weren't sure who, or what, to be angry at. They started out with anger against the pedophile, moved on to the Board of Directors, then started lashing out, in song and chant, against, you guessed it, the media. Who among us doesn't lash out against the media? After all, the media is our national scapegoat.
Anger at pedophilia is justified. So is anger against an arrogant bureaucratic Board of Directors.
But anger at the media? Oh come on! Again the American urge to shoot the messenger.
No doubt the media frenzy frightened the bureaucratically self protective Board into firing Jo Pa.
The mdia tries to make as much money for its owners as it can, by entertaining the American people as well as it can, in order to attract as much attention from we, the unswashed masses, as it can, in order to sell as much advertising as it can, to lure we the great unwashed to spend as much of our money as we can, to increase profits for the owners.....this is dizzying, but you get the point. Sound familiar?
The Penn State Paterno protesters should join the Occupy Wall Street movement, just like the tea party should join the Occupy Wall Street movement. Two Words: CORPORATE OLIGARCHY
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Thinking anew
"All the great thoughts have long since been thought. What remains for us is to think them anew."
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
That may be true, but we don't intend to give up, at least not here. Here we intend to seek new thinking, without bothering to even consider whether there is anything new to be thought.
Let's take, for example, two of America's most popular writers, Ann Coulter, and Chris Hedges.
Ann is popular on the politcal right, and Hedges attracts agreement among liberals. Many people have read one or the other, but I rather doubt that very many people have read both of them.
I would recommend reading both. Neither one of them really has anything new to say, but, if you put them together in a strange mixture of ideology, and shake the mixture up just a bit, you might have something really new. It is perhaps a sign of openmindedness to add to your reading list the works of people with whom you know in advance you are likely to disagree.
If you are a left wing socialistic radical liberal, I recommend Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter. Rush don't write much, but he sho do talk a lot.
If you are a hard nosed conservative, try some Gore Vidal, Chris Hedges, Sam Harris, Howard Zinn, or Noam Chomsky.
Maybe new thoughts are created by recombining the thoughts of others.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
That may be true, but we don't intend to give up, at least not here. Here we intend to seek new thinking, without bothering to even consider whether there is anything new to be thought.
Let's take, for example, two of America's most popular writers, Ann Coulter, and Chris Hedges.
Ann is popular on the politcal right, and Hedges attracts agreement among liberals. Many people have read one or the other, but I rather doubt that very many people have read both of them.
I would recommend reading both. Neither one of them really has anything new to say, but, if you put them together in a strange mixture of ideology, and shake the mixture up just a bit, you might have something really new. It is perhaps a sign of openmindedness to add to your reading list the works of people with whom you know in advance you are likely to disagree.
If you are a left wing socialistic radical liberal, I recommend Rush Limbaugh or Ann Coulter. Rush don't write much, but he sho do talk a lot.
If you are a hard nosed conservative, try some Gore Vidal, Chris Hedges, Sam Harris, Howard Zinn, or Noam Chomsky.
Maybe new thoughts are created by recombining the thoughts of others.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Openmindedness
The purpose here is to encourage openmindedness in thought, discourse, and deed, based on the belief that society will be healthier if the citizenry makes choices and decisions by giving honest thoughtful consideration to all points of view.
You don't see much of that in current American culture. The people who are the most extreme, the viewpoints which show the greatest anger and opposition, are the most widely covered by the corporate media and embraced by the American people.
Political moderation is seen as weak, boring, noncommittal, undesirable. And heaven help anyone who is openminded enough to reconsider and change opinion; that person is regarded as an insincere "flip-flopper" by the narrow minded culture.
A good case in point is Ann Coulter. It doesn't hurt that she's beautiful and blonde, but she succeeds mainly by spewing hatred and venom, and by being extremely narrow minded. Perhaps some people view her narrowmindedness as strong, decisive, admirable.
In her view, all liberalism is bad, all the time. Islam should be abolished, as should liberalism, and all religions except the true one, which, it so happens, is her religion, Christianity.
No matter how devoted we all become to our political viewpoint and our religion, may we never become so horribly hate filled and narrow minded that we fail to acknowledge and grasp at least some scrap of benefit from differing opinions, which is what religion and politics are: opinions.
You don't see much of that in current American culture. The people who are the most extreme, the viewpoints which show the greatest anger and opposition, are the most widely covered by the corporate media and embraced by the American people.
Political moderation is seen as weak, boring, noncommittal, undesirable. And heaven help anyone who is openminded enough to reconsider and change opinion; that person is regarded as an insincere "flip-flopper" by the narrow minded culture.
A good case in point is Ann Coulter. It doesn't hurt that she's beautiful and blonde, but she succeeds mainly by spewing hatred and venom, and by being extremely narrow minded. Perhaps some people view her narrowmindedness as strong, decisive, admirable.
In her view, all liberalism is bad, all the time. Islam should be abolished, as should liberalism, and all religions except the true one, which, it so happens, is her religion, Christianity.
No matter how devoted we all become to our political viewpoint and our religion, may we never become so horribly hate filled and narrow minded that we fail to acknowledge and grasp at least some scrap of benefit from differing opinions, which is what religion and politics are: opinions.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Animals All
Years ago I met a girl online named Michelle, and we fell in love, which really isn't all that new or exciting. She lived in New Jersey, and told me she was divorced, with three kids. Her pictures looked nice, but I never really knew for sure whether it was she.
She told me she was Jewish, had been born in Israel, and had lived there until she was eight. In New Jersey she had grown up to become a prostitute, and married a member of the Russian mob, which, after the break up of the Soviet Union, indeed exploded into international existence.
At the time I met her, she was 28 years old, and was working in a good secretarial job, her days of being a whore in the Russian mafia behind her. She and I talked about a lot of things, on the internet and the phone, including the situation in the middle east between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
To her the Palestinains were animals, pure and simple, no point in discussing it. I decided not to mention the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and instead made the following observation:
Granted, the Palestinians are animals. And you are an Israeli-American and I am an American of German ancestry. Are we not also "animals?" If not, why not, and how not? Then I quoted my favorite line of poetry, from Bertolt Brecht, in a poem titled "Concerning Poor B.B."
I make friends with people, and I wear
A derby on my head as others do. I say
"They are strangely stinking animals".
And I say: "no matter, I am too."
She told me she was Jewish, had been born in Israel, and had lived there until she was eight. In New Jersey she had grown up to become a prostitute, and married a member of the Russian mob, which, after the break up of the Soviet Union, indeed exploded into international existence.
At the time I met her, she was 28 years old, and was working in a good secretarial job, her days of being a whore in the Russian mafia behind her. She and I talked about a lot of things, on the internet and the phone, including the situation in the middle east between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
To her the Palestinains were animals, pure and simple, no point in discussing it. I decided not to mention the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and instead made the following observation:
Granted, the Palestinians are animals. And you are an Israeli-American and I am an American of German ancestry. Are we not also "animals?" If not, why not, and how not? Then I quoted my favorite line of poetry, from Bertolt Brecht, in a poem titled "Concerning Poor B.B."
I make friends with people, and I wear
A derby on my head as others do. I say
"They are strangely stinking animals".
And I say: "no matter, I am too."
Information Theory
Republican presidential candidate Hermann Cain has made it perfectly clear: he has no intention of answering any more questions or discussing any further the "several" sexual harassment allegations against him. Of course as of yet, he has neither answered any questions about the topic nor participated in any discussion of it - and he evidently doesn't intend to start.
He is finished with this topic, but the problem is, other people do not seem to be finished with it.
It almost seems as if Cain has forgotten, or simply doesn't understand, a simple truth: he can't control what other people talk about. He can only control what he himself talks about. His best strategy might be to talk about it so much that everyone else gets tired of talking about it.
Sometimes people get weird ideas about information. AS if they can give information to other people, then control what the recipients do with it. How many times have you been asked "can you keep a secret?" My reply is always the same "since you can't why should I?"
I have a simple rule: give me information at your own risk, because once you give it to me, its mine, it belongs to me, and I am free to do with it whatever I wish. I am not constrained by your opinion of what what I SHOULD do with it, unless I so agree.
Hermann Cain has an information attitude crisis within, and needs to make an information attitude adjustment. If he refuses to listen to others, others might refuse to listen to him. Like so many other people, he has trouble understanding and accepting the limits of his control over other people.
He is finished with this topic, but the problem is, other people do not seem to be finished with it.
It almost seems as if Cain has forgotten, or simply doesn't understand, a simple truth: he can't control what other people talk about. He can only control what he himself talks about. His best strategy might be to talk about it so much that everyone else gets tired of talking about it.
Sometimes people get weird ideas about information. AS if they can give information to other people, then control what the recipients do with it. How many times have you been asked "can you keep a secret?" My reply is always the same "since you can't why should I?"
I have a simple rule: give me information at your own risk, because once you give it to me, its mine, it belongs to me, and I am free to do with it whatever I wish. I am not constrained by your opinion of what what I SHOULD do with it, unless I so agree.
Hermann Cain has an information attitude crisis within, and needs to make an information attitude adjustment. If he refuses to listen to others, others might refuse to listen to him. Like so many other people, he has trouble understanding and accepting the limits of his control over other people.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Corporate Smiles
Most people would probably agree that corporate capitalism is neither inherently nor entirely evil. In fact, corporate capitalism always tries to make us happy; with good reason; we are its lifeblood. The corporations who own the media keep us blissfully entertained, distracted from the actual state of the world.
We are fed a steady diet of sexual sublimation, beautiful faces everywhere, young gorgeous toothy blondes reading the celebrity gossip that passes for "news", along with a good dose of adrenalin pumping shocking violence and emotional drama.
The gorgeous blonde anchor people are ovbiously trained to constantly smile, at all costs, no matter what. Its what we want, it makes us feel good.
CNN gorgoues brunette anchor person Fredricka Whitfield read about Justin Bieber, who at 17 is being slapped with a paternity suit. During this entire , tragic story Fredricka maintained the smile, without interruption. Did she think it was funny? Did she think at all?
AS long as we the viewing public doesn't think too much, the smiles are doing their job.
We are fed a steady diet of sexual sublimation, beautiful faces everywhere, young gorgeous toothy blondes reading the celebrity gossip that passes for "news", along with a good dose of adrenalin pumping shocking violence and emotional drama.
The gorgeous blonde anchor people are ovbiously trained to constantly smile, at all costs, no matter what. Its what we want, it makes us feel good.
CNN gorgoues brunette anchor person Fredricka Whitfield read about Justin Bieber, who at 17 is being slapped with a paternity suit. During this entire , tragic story Fredricka maintained the smile, without interruption. Did she think it was funny? Did she think at all?
AS long as we the viewing public doesn't think too much, the smiles are doing their job.
Globalization
Its probably a good idea to be open minded enough to see both sides, or as many sides as there are, of an issue. Big business is not inherently evil. Corporations are not all bad, all the time. Liberals would do well to remember that. Back in the early nineties I supported NAFTA, notwithstanding Ross Perot's "giant sucking sound" warning.
Nowadays I have mixed emotions about it. I still remember my original argument, that the jobs which AMerica loses to developing countries will be replaced by new and better jobs in the growing high tech economy at home.
With seven billion people now on the planet, we need to stabilize global population, more equally distribute the wealth, and provide opportunities for everyone. And of course, we need to protect and preserve the environment. That does not it first glance seem as difficult or complicated as it evidently is in reality.
Globalization is not inherently evil. But all economic activity must be forced, by regulation if need be, to be beneficial to all, and harmful to no one.
Nowadays I have mixed emotions about it. I still remember my original argument, that the jobs which AMerica loses to developing countries will be replaced by new and better jobs in the growing high tech economy at home.
With seven billion people now on the planet, we need to stabilize global population, more equally distribute the wealth, and provide opportunities for everyone. And of course, we need to protect and preserve the environment. That does not it first glance seem as difficult or complicated as it evidently is in reality.
Globalization is not inherently evil. But all economic activity must be forced, by regulation if need be, to be beneficial to all, and harmful to no one.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
2011: A Bank Odyssey V
In what may be the final installment of 2011: A Bank Odyssey (after all, how many sequels can one make?) we briefly explore another amazing bank adventure.
During my much ballyhooed and convuluted refinancing adventure with the Bank of America, I encountered a young lady via telephone and email named Tamara, who was processing my application from St. Louis.
I got to know her a little bit, we talked about and joked about the enormous amount of info she was gathering from me, the documents, the long ID numbers, and we started talking about the housing finance situation all over the United States. We agreed that the foreclosure, bankruptcy, and unemployment situations are horrible.
Then she told me about herself. She told me that her job is very difficult emotionally, because part of her job is to inform applicants that their loans have been denied. She told me about repeatedly sitting on the phone and crying with people whose dreams had been suddenly destroyed. Then she dropped a real shocker on me. She said that she and her family had a mortgage with her employer, the Bank of America, but that she too had been foreclosed, and had lost her home.
Everything was going to be alright, she assured me, she and her family are tough, and determined to make it. But I simply couldn't believe it. Foreclosed, by the very company for which you work? I had never even thought about something like that before.
I knew, before I ever applied for a fmortgage refinance, that I would be denied. I knew it because I knew my house would not be appraised at a high enough value. My question is, why didn't somebody at the bank know it, and save us all the trouble of doggedly urging me to apply?
Somehow, I suspect I am not alone in my great "bank odyssey". How many more, I wonder, are there out there, waiting to be heard...
During my much ballyhooed and convuluted refinancing adventure with the Bank of America, I encountered a young lady via telephone and email named Tamara, who was processing my application from St. Louis.
I got to know her a little bit, we talked about and joked about the enormous amount of info she was gathering from me, the documents, the long ID numbers, and we started talking about the housing finance situation all over the United States. We agreed that the foreclosure, bankruptcy, and unemployment situations are horrible.
Then she told me about herself. She told me that her job is very difficult emotionally, because part of her job is to inform applicants that their loans have been denied. She told me about repeatedly sitting on the phone and crying with people whose dreams had been suddenly destroyed. Then she dropped a real shocker on me. She said that she and her family had a mortgage with her employer, the Bank of America, but that she too had been foreclosed, and had lost her home.
Everything was going to be alright, she assured me, she and her family are tough, and determined to make it. But I simply couldn't believe it. Foreclosed, by the very company for which you work? I had never even thought about something like that before.
I knew, before I ever applied for a fmortgage refinance, that I would be denied. I knew it because I knew my house would not be appraised at a high enough value. My question is, why didn't somebody at the bank know it, and save us all the trouble of doggedly urging me to apply?
Somehow, I suspect I am not alone in my great "bank odyssey". How many more, I wonder, are there out there, waiting to be heard...
Friday, November 4, 2011
2011: A Bank Odyssey: IV
So, I'm upset with the Bank of America because it spent years nagging me to apply for a refinance loan, and when I did, turned me down. All they had to do was realize that they would turn me down beforehand, and not bother to nag me.
Now, I do not hate large corporations simply because they are large corporations. And I really don't think the Occupy Wall Street movement is 99% of the people against one percent. For one thing, some one percenters, like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, are sympathetic to the Occupy movement, and many of its concerns. For another, a fairly large part of the population goes along with the 1%ers, for whatever reason. Poeople who enjoy success are more likely to support the system, and more than 1% are economically successful.
But Americans in general are fed up being owned and controlled by the corporate oligarchy, by, as Gore Vidal says, "our corporate masters".
Should I withdraw all my modest assets from the Bank of America, and transfer them to a small local bank or a credit union?Vote NOW!
Now, I do not hate large corporations simply because they are large corporations. And I really don't think the Occupy Wall Street movement is 99% of the people against one percent. For one thing, some one percenters, like Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, are sympathetic to the Occupy movement, and many of its concerns. For another, a fairly large part of the population goes along with the 1%ers, for whatever reason. Poeople who enjoy success are more likely to support the system, and more than 1% are economically successful.
But Americans in general are fed up being owned and controlled by the corporate oligarchy, by, as Gore Vidal says, "our corporate masters".
Should I withdraw all my modest assets from the Bank of America, and transfer them to a small local bank or a credit union?Vote NOW!
2011:A Bank Odyssey III
The refinancing process was stressful and complicated. To some folks that may sound familiar. The paperwork, and the amount of information I was required to submit to the bank was outrageous. After being led through a vast bureaucratic jungle the bank decided to deny my application because my house did not appraise at a high enough value. The bank decided who appraised the house, how much it was worth, and what was required for refinancing it. So....
WHAT WAS THE POINT?
My current plan is go continue faithfully making morrtgage payments on a house I bought for $110,000, which is now appraised at $80,000, over a period of 30 years, at an interest rate (5.5% to 8%), which will net the bank around $200,000, and which the bank could choose to lower at any time. Need we wonder why the Occupy Wall Street movement is growing?
WHAT WAS THE POINT?
My current plan is go continue faithfully making morrtgage payments on a house I bought for $110,000, which is now appraised at $80,000, over a period of 30 years, at an interest rate (5.5% to 8%), which will net the bank around $200,000, and which the bank could choose to lower at any time. Need we wonder why the Occupy Wall Street movement is growing?
Thursday, November 3, 2011
2011: A Bank Odyssey Part II
Eventually the Bank of America controlled my entire financial life. I had a savings account, a checking account, a debit card, and a credit card. I, who had always sworn allegiance to cash...
Since they already owned me the Bank of America decided to go for the jugular. They sent me an offer in the mail to apply for a home mortgage loan. They said it was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and the advantages for me were uncountable, that they were eager to "help me, and so on, and so fotrh. Over and over and over again they sent the ads in the mail, until finally my resistance broke down, and I went in and applied.
The loan officer wanted to know if I had a job, and whether I intended to make a down payment. I replied that I had a job, albeit not a very well paying one, and that I had no intention of making a down payment...nor did I offer collateral. He promplty approved my loan, at a slightly higher than usual interest rate, but still a great bargain, he assured me.
At about the same time, the Bank of American loaned 200 million dollars to Michael Jackson, and was handing out debit cards to illegal Mexicans.
For several years my mortgage went along fine. I loved my new house, and had no trouble meeting my financial obligations. Then, perhaps because of this, the B o A began offering me an opportunity to refinance, and began offering it to me over, and over again, until.....you guessed it, my resistance eventually broke, and I decided to apply for a refi... and.that's when things got even crazier...
...to be continued
Since they already owned me the Bank of America decided to go for the jugular. They sent me an offer in the mail to apply for a home mortgage loan. They said it was the greatest thing since sliced bread, and the advantages for me were uncountable, that they were eager to "help me, and so on, and so fotrh. Over and over and over again they sent the ads in the mail, until finally my resistance broke down, and I went in and applied.
The loan officer wanted to know if I had a job, and whether I intended to make a down payment. I replied that I had a job, albeit not a very well paying one, and that I had no intention of making a down payment...nor did I offer collateral. He promplty approved my loan, at a slightly higher than usual interest rate, but still a great bargain, he assured me.
At about the same time, the Bank of American loaned 200 million dollars to Michael Jackson, and was handing out debit cards to illegal Mexicans.
For several years my mortgage went along fine. I loved my new house, and had no trouble meeting my financial obligations. Then, perhaps because of this, the B o A began offering me an opportunity to refinance, and began offering it to me over, and over again, until.....you guessed it, my resistance eventually broke, and I decided to apply for a refi... and.that's when things got even crazier...
...to be continued
2011: A Bank Odyssey
Thirty years ago I opened a bank account at an institution called the "First National Bank", in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Contrary to its name, this bank was a one branch operation conveniently located in a small college town. A few years later, it was purchased by the Worthen Corporation, and became "big blue."
From that point everything became a blur. Worthen was purchased by Boatman's bank, which was later conquered by Regions bank, and then I think maybe Nations took over for awhile, then, eventually, the Bank of America entered my life. I went along with all the corporate changes, and in what seemed like a heartbeat I rocketed from ma and pa corner business to immense corporation.
So now I have been "with" the B o A for...I forget how long...maybe close to twenty years...
If that aint a rapid fire roller coaster white water adventure, I don't know what is.
And the adventure, at that point, was just beginning....
From that point everything became a blur. Worthen was purchased by Boatman's bank, which was later conquered by Regions bank, and then I think maybe Nations took over for awhile, then, eventually, the Bank of America entered my life. I went along with all the corporate changes, and in what seemed like a heartbeat I rocketed from ma and pa corner business to immense corporation.
So now I have been "with" the B o A for...I forget how long...maybe close to twenty years...
If that aint a rapid fire roller coaster white water adventure, I don't know what is.
And the adventure, at that point, was just beginning....
Uninhibited
The internet is a strange thing. It Almost seems to bring out the worst in people. It certainly lowers inhibitions, and invites aggressive behavior. Seems like its just easier to fight online than anywhere else. This might play into the hands of the Occupy Wall Street movement; thousands of people all over the United States and the world, communicating instantaneously, sharing plans, sharing the anger of protest, emboldening each other.
I rarely argue with anyone fact to face, but as soon as I start to communicate with people online, the arguments commence. Chat rooms are apparently losing popularity, and the constant fighting which characterized them might be part of the cause. The Truthless Reconciler is intended to become a forum for all manner of different perspectives, not just one. Everybody is invited to submit creative writing. The Truthless Reconciler reserves the right to edit, and to require open identity for all writers.
Original creative writing should be new and unusual, controversial.
I rarely argue with anyone fact to face, but as soon as I start to communicate with people online, the arguments commence. Chat rooms are apparently losing popularity, and the constant fighting which characterized them might be part of the cause. The Truthless Reconciler is intended to become a forum for all manner of different perspectives, not just one. Everybody is invited to submit creative writing. The Truthless Reconciler reserves the right to edit, and to require open identity for all writers.
Original creative writing should be new and unusual, controversial.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Occupy Grows
If I were a member of the 1%, I'd be a bit nervous about now. I certainly wouldn't be hanging banners out of Wall Street windows saying "we're the 1%", and I might even consider laying even lower.
The Occupy Wall Street movement not only appears not to be going away, it appears to be growing, and its message seems to be clarifying. The protest is against economic inequality, corporate greed, and corporate political power, which determines policy at all levels in America.
America is a plutocracy, government of the wealthy, for the wealthy, and by the wealthy, and the non wealthy, finally, are getting fed up with it.
The fact that 99% includes about everyone, and about everyone has a mobile electronic communications device, greatly expidites the movement. There must be millions of people sitting at home, such as myself, who support the protest.
How long will it take the rebublicans to realize that most of the country wants to raise taxes on the wealthy, wants to save social security medicare and medicaid, wants to regulate big business, and wants to take political power away from the 1%, and give it to the 99%?
The Occupy Wall Street movement might very well force them to realize it.
The Occupy Wall Street movement not only appears not to be going away, it appears to be growing, and its message seems to be clarifying. The protest is against economic inequality, corporate greed, and corporate political power, which determines policy at all levels in America.
America is a plutocracy, government of the wealthy, for the wealthy, and by the wealthy, and the non wealthy, finally, are getting fed up with it.
The fact that 99% includes about everyone, and about everyone has a mobile electronic communications device, greatly expidites the movement. There must be millions of people sitting at home, such as myself, who support the protest.
How long will it take the rebublicans to realize that most of the country wants to raise taxes on the wealthy, wants to save social security medicare and medicaid, wants to regulate big business, and wants to take political power away from the 1%, and give it to the 99%?
The Occupy Wall Street movement might very well force them to realize it.
A Tad Confused, or, Oh Crockett
Deep in the heart of Texas there liveth a man named Crockett Keller, or it may be "Kellar"...and he sells guns and sells lessons on how to use them. Crockett is evidently a hardline conservative.
He tells the world something to the effect: "If you are a liberal , socialist, Obama supporter, or a Moslem, don't even bother trying to do business with me." He does not mention African Americans or Jews, or Catholics, and I don't think he mentions gays or bi's. (He might just as well, however.)
I think what Crockett has in mind is what he might call "true Americans." I somehow sense that extreme patriotism is at the heart of the matter....somehow(?)...or other...
Dear Crockett:
I am a left wing socialistic card carrying Obama democrat. I'm a non Christian. However, I am a good American. I absolutely adore the United States of America, and am willing to die for it.
I also love God and Jesus.
I want to purchase a couple of guns from you, and pay you to teach me how to use them. Why wouldn't you take me? We're American brothers, and we are brothers in God.
Sincerely,
A Tad Confused
He tells the world something to the effect: "If you are a liberal , socialist, Obama supporter, or a Moslem, don't even bother trying to do business with me." He does not mention African Americans or Jews, or Catholics, and I don't think he mentions gays or bi's. (He might just as well, however.)
I think what Crockett has in mind is what he might call "true Americans." I somehow sense that extreme patriotism is at the heart of the matter....somehow(?)...or other...
Dear Crockett:
I am a left wing socialistic card carrying Obama democrat. I'm a non Christian. However, I am a good American. I absolutely adore the United States of America, and am willing to die for it.
I also love God and Jesus.
I want to purchase a couple of guns from you, and pay you to teach me how to use them. Why wouldn't you take me? We're American brothers, and we are brothers in God.
Sincerely,
A Tad Confused
Go B o A
Three cheers for the Bank of America!!!
Hip Hip Hoo Ray!! Hip Hip Hoo Ray! Hip Hip Mon AAAAA!!!!!
I'm a left wing socialistic Occupy Wall Streeter, but give credit where credit is due. The dropping of the plan to charge debit card users $5/month is laudable. Nobody on my side of the fence needs to be gloating or claiming victory. We need to be grateful.
Now that the B o A has decided to turn over a new leaf, to stop being a predatory greedy corporation, why stop there? Why not, O B o A, let the magnanimity roll on!
Why not, for instance, refrain from the further purchase and ownership of politicians?
Hip Hip Hoo Ray!! Hip Hip Hoo Ray! Hip Hip Mon AAAAA!!!!!
I'm a left wing socialistic Occupy Wall Streeter, but give credit where credit is due. The dropping of the plan to charge debit card users $5/month is laudable. Nobody on my side of the fence needs to be gloating or claiming victory. We need to be grateful.
Now that the B o A has decided to turn over a new leaf, to stop being a predatory greedy corporation, why stop there? Why not, O B o A, let the magnanimity roll on!
Why not, for instance, refrain from the further purchase and ownership of politicians?
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Cultural Illness
In American presidential campaigns the candidates raise as much corporate money for advertising as they can, and use it to purchase the advertising, which purchases the presidency for one "lucky" lottery winner. The candidates attack each other, both inside and outside their respective parties. The attacks often concern the personal behavior of opposing candidates.
Rick Perry and Hermann Cain are the latest "victims" of this strategy. May we have the good grace and sense to refrain from this behavior, and instead to focus on substantive issues.
Perry showed up for a speech in New Hampshire apparently either slightly drunk, under the influence of some other drug, or extremely tired. This illustrates his unfitness for high political office.
Women seldom accuse men of sexual harassment without some kind of basis. Men of power often feel entitled to behave as they please, which is often inappropiately. Cain therefore lacks the integrity to hold high office. The very need to reconcile these seemingly contradictory but apparent facts constitutes yet another indication of the underlying fact: American culture in its current state is an illness.
Rick Perry and Hermann Cain are the latest "victims" of this strategy. May we have the good grace and sense to refrain from this behavior, and instead to focus on substantive issues.
Perry showed up for a speech in New Hampshire apparently either slightly drunk, under the influence of some other drug, or extremely tired. This illustrates his unfitness for high political office.
Women seldom accuse men of sexual harassment without some kind of basis. Men of power often feel entitled to behave as they please, which is often inappropiately. Cain therefore lacks the integrity to hold high office. The very need to reconcile these seemingly contradictory but apparent facts constitutes yet another indication of the underlying fact: American culture in its current state is an illness.
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