Yesterday it became official, the United States, under the thinly veiled guise of "national security" has made torture into a socially acceptable part of our country. With a glee one can only see from the truly triumphant, DUBYA scrawled out his name, and slammed the pen down on that piece of paper. In doing those two things, the United States has officially sanctioned torture. In all my time on this planet, I cannot recall a time I have felt more disheartened with our country, our leaders, and our citizens.
When DUBYA first came to power, I was of the opinion that his stupidity and ignorance were so see through, there would be no way on this planet, or any other in our solar system that he would get a second crack at destroying the American way of life. As his first four years racked up disaster after debacle after scandal, my thinking on his possibilities for "four more years" only solidified. No way could he get back into the White House. It would take an act of god to deflect the bullshit that he had generated in his first four years.
Boy howdy, was I wrong!
I admit it. I was wrong. I gave the American people more credit for brains than was obviously their due. I don't know why that is. Perhaps within this skeptical shell, there was that ever-hopeful optimist hoping against hope that the crusty, jaded grouchy exterior was wrong. Maybe it was that optimist that kept on saying, "Eventually, DUBYA's going to do something from which he cannot escape unscathed."
Then along came Hurricane Katrina. Oh sure, DUBYA already had blood on his hands from the shock and awe of Iraq, the number of civilians killed, and the number of soldiers who had died needlessly. However, that was nothing compared to allowing innocent American civilians to die on American soil while the powers that be did nothing but bicker and argue about who was supposed to give the word to go to New Orleans and "save the day". After that wholesale bit of civilian death and destruction, I figured the whole of America would rise up against the criminal DUBYA and his nest of vipers.
Boy howdy, was I wrong!
For those keeping tabs, that's two times I was wrong. I was wrong in assuming that Americans were smart enough to not elect DUBYA a second time. (Yes, I know, 2004 was a stolen election, or at least we are lead to believe as such. I don't want to enter that debate at the moment. It's not germane to this article.) I was wrong in assuming the sheer negligence of his actions in response to Hurricane Katrina would garner some sort of revulsion to him. I hate being wrong, but I'll admit it when it happens.
It has also been my contention that DUBYA is a village idiot that finally made good. His wholesale ignorance of the finer points of making policy, his bumbling personal style, and his inability to speak without tripping all over his words were more than enough of a hint that he was not possessed of true intellect. Add to that his sitting in a Florida classroom reading "My Pet Goat" as the World Trade Center was under attack not only proved he was stupid, but also that he was a chicken. After seeing that little event, no one in America would ever think he was brave or smart.
Boy howdy, was I wrong!
Now, let's fast forward to today. There is lying in his wake, nothing but shambles. Everything he has put his hands on in the government, he has destroyed. He has worked harder than any president to render moot the constitution. He began with his work on blurring the separation of church and state. This he did even though he considered members of the Religious Reich to be "nuts". Then he committed treason by letting it be known he wanted Valerie Plame exposed. His usage of signing statements is unprecedented, and has, in effect, shown him to be even more treasonous than any other elected official to ever disgrace the office he held.
So when I first heard about the torture bill, I thought there was no way we the people would stand still for such an out and out hoodwinking. Even under the guise of "national security", there is no way that Americans anywhere would stand still and allow cruel and inhuman punishment to become the law of the land. Surely, we had learned from the past. Surely we knew that torture never yields anything but blood, pain, and unreliable information. Surely, we would have learned that rendering Habeas Corpus null and void would be as bad for us who live here in this country as it would for the so-called "enemy combatants" for which it was to be suspended. Surely at least we know that much. Surely someone in the Senate would truly stand up and fight this by filibuster. Surely, at zero hour, someone would come in and tell us that it's all a big mistake, and they really didn't pass such a law into being.
Boy howdy, was I wrong.
So, that makes three times I have been wrong about Americans. I was wrong in assuming we'd want no part of four more years of rule from an idiot. I was wrong in assuming that Americans would see DUBYA as both an idiot and a coward in the wake of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Finally, I was wrong in thinking that Americans would not want their country to legalize torture in the name of "national security".
The last of these is the most disheartening. I can forgive forgetting about watching DUBYA sitting dumbfounded as the World Trade Center was attacked. I can forgive forgetting about the lies upon which the Iraq war was built. I can even forgive people for forgetting the incredible American tragedy and travesty that was the FEMA response to Hurricane Katrina. Even in the wake of the recent HBO documentary, When The Levees Broke by Spike Lee reminding us all of the incredible human tragedy that happened on our own soil, I can see how some people would rather not see the waste and death that lies there stinking before them. It's not a pleasant thing to look upon the destruction wrought in New Orleans and realize that our government was complicit in the deaths of over one thousand Americans. It's a bitter pill to swallow, and I can see how some might want to gag on it.
In light of all that, I just can't begin to wrap my brain around how Americans would once again stand still as DUBYA and his den of vipers pulled yet another travesty out of their asses. Polls tell me that more than fifty percent of Americans are disillusioned with the war in Iraq. Those same poll numbers tell me that Americans think they were mislead at the beginning of it all. Other poll numbers tell me that few Americans approve of the job that DUBYA is doing in office. With poll numbers that low, you would think that all of America would be on the lookout for another debacle waiting to happen. With poll numbers indicating a serious distrust of government, you'd think we would stop buying the bill of goods being sold to us by the government.
I was at a toy fair in New York last February and, staying in a hotel, watched some tv, which I hardly ever do. Then while flying back on a Jet Blue airline and watching the little tv in front of me for a few hours--curious and amazed at what Americans are actually watching--I realized the one reason why I like George Bush: He so well represents the American people!
But I couldn't just couldn't bring myself to write the article.
by
Daniel Geery (26 articles, 55 quicklinks, 121 diaries, 659 comments)
on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 11:37:41 PM
Well, call it a death wish on my part, or a desire to see what waterboarding is like on the receiving end, I just had to write this article. I did it for me, and I did it for you as well. Since there is no such thing as freedom in America anymore, I figured I'd go the way of so many others who fight for freedom at their own personal peril. I regret that I have but one life to be tortured out of for my country.
I have to say that I fought with myself for some time in writing this article. We all make mistakes in this life. We are all human, and that even goes for the Idiot in chief...although in his case, mistakes are much more common and definitely more egregious.
However, when we keep making the same mistakes over and over again and expect different results, that's insanity. In this country, we have all laid down on the job. We have seen evidence over and over that there is something rotten in DC, and still the eyes remain closed, the ears remain plugged, and the mouth remains silent.
And now, at long last, everyone shall pay for their silent acceptance of allowing the government to do what it wants to do in the name of "national security". We have been kept so afraid of "them" from "over there" that we didn't even notice that the worst terrorists were the ones over here deflecting our eyes from the truths they didn't want us to see. Now, at the end of this long road of fear, we finally have something very real and concrete to fear. No, it's not Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Mohamar Kahdafi, or even the Ayatollah. It's our president, and his henchmen.
So why did it happen? Because DUBYA and the rest of his war pigs knew the only way they could effectively silence the opposition to their war of convenience for the profit margin of Halliburton was to label anyone who speaks against it as an "enemy combatant". That means me. That means Rob. That means anyone at this site who is compelled to write about the things that matter to us all.
So, I suggest that you folks who are fans of our collective writings start drinking us all in as much as possible. Who knows who will be the first one to be dragged away in the night? You can bet that whoever it is, you won't see their words again for quite sometime. With the suspension of Habeas Corpus, whoever it is will have lots of time to think about writing that book on the cost of selling out our personal freedoms for a false sense of security.
Blessed be!
Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 12:39:18 AM
I knew that this guy couldn't possibly win the office in 2000. I knew that in 2004 they couldn't possibly reelect him. They stole the vote. Boy, I was right!
by
Ron McCallie (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 74 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 1:55:17 AM
Weren't we all? While I know the Republicans are getting ready to pull out all the stops from November, (i.e. more voter fraud, keeping people from polls, etc. etc.) I have a feeling they are going to lose anyway. This time around, they are in serious disarray, too many of their shit piles have been exposed, and Foleygate has opened an awful lot of eyes.
Now I could be wrong, and I'll be the first to admit it if it comes to that. However, this time around, there are far too many indicators telling me they have finally jumped the shark. Hot Karl is burned out, they are distancing themselves not only from DUBYA, but Hastert and other players in Foleygate, their attempts at messing with polling places are already under scrutiny. In other words, their key players and key plays are all falling apart at the seams, and people are (hopefully) hip to it.
It will be interesting to see what happens come November.
Blessed be!
Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 10:51:10 AM
Gary: Is politics like religion whereby mind-set believers will vote republican in spite of what has happened?
I have never voted democrat - but I can think. I don't blindly, fearfully or idealistically believe.
Whoever "Pappy" is has logic, reason and humility on his side. I personally don't want George W. Bush, IQ of 91 to make one more Presidential decision. Impeach him now and try him. He doesn't represent me or any thinking person I know. He has got to be tried by international and US courts for his heinous crimes against the US. A US Army officer is not to obey illegal orders. As a retired Army officer, I personally stand against and defy President George W. Bush and his heinous agendas.
George W. Bush is saying: I'm in the process or killing a million or more people. Don't let it remain illegal. Pass laws to make it legal so I have my way. Tell your kids to get ready to sacrifice themselves for me. This scenario can become Hitler all over again. Gary DeVaney
by
Gary DeVaney (2 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 4:12:43 AM
Gary: Is politics like religion whereby mind-set believers will vote republican in spite of what has happened?
Yes and no. Yes, those of a particular mindset will usually stick with their initial gut feelings unless...in the case of Foleygate, something comes along to completely shake their confidence. This time around, on the heels of Foleygate, we also have Kuo's book exposing the lies the Republicans told the christians in order to steal their votes. That's a double whammy I don't think the Republicans will be able to wash off before November.
I have never voted democrat - but I can think. I don't blindly, fearfully or idealistically believe.
There's a first time for everything. I hope you do vote Democratic. Even though the Democratic party cannot claim innocence in the goings on in DC, I think we have a much better chance of getting to the bottom of the mess in DC with them in control of congress.
Whoever "Pappy" is has logic, reason and humility on his side. I personally don't want George W. Bush, IQ of 91 to make one more Presidential decision. Impeach him now and try him. He doesn't represent me or any thinking person I know. He has got to be tried by international and US courts for his heinous crimes against the US. A US Army officer is not to obey illegal orders. As a retired Army officer, I personally stand against and defy President George W. Bush and his heinous agendas.
I just hope having all those things on my side will actually mean something in the days to come, especially up to the November midterms. Who I am is nowhere near as important as what I have to say. There are so many others here who also carry the same message as I. We are all scared. We are all hoping that just this once, logic and reason won't be our exclusive intellectual properties.
If I could give everyone a brain transplant, or at least beam my thought processes into the heads of all America on the night of November 6, and have it last until the final votes are counted, I think we'd see a real change in America.
However, I can't do that. I can only attempt to do as such by writing my words here. I am only a man with a vision. If you share my vision, don't tell me in words, tell me in actions. Get out and vote, and this time, vote for what is truly right in this country.
Don't let the fear mongers pull their terror alerts out of mothballs and scare you shitless. Don't let the spin alchemists turn everyone that doesn't believe in the lies and hypocrisy of the Republican party into traitors, or people who are "soft on terror," "wish to give aid to the 'enemy'," or any other form of bullshit. You all know in your heart of hearts that it's all bullshit. How could any American even consider comforting anyone that is truly our enemy? It's all a bunch of ludicrous lies, and it's past time we stop listening.
This is our country, and it's time to take it back from the liars that have ravaged it. They have ravaged its natural resources, its economy, its good standing on the world stage, and its people for far too long. We the people need to prove that Democracy works. Don't allow the despotic, ultra-rich ruling elite to screw unto us as they have been for the past five years. Vote, for a change!
George W. Bush is saying: I'm in the process or killing a million or more people. Don't let it remain illegal. Pass laws to make it legal so I have my way. Tell your kids to get ready to sacrifice themselves for me. This scenario can become Hitler all over again. Gary DeVaney
Can become Hitler all over again? No, it has become Hitler all over again! We have it all in place: A despotic uber-ruler, a pliant rubber stamping legislative body, a well-oiled propaganda machine, an imperialist war we started with a non-aggresive country, legislated permission for said uber-ruler to do whatever he wishes, and even a secret prison or two where torture is de regur. It's the same shit from a different asshole, and it's time that we put a cork in that asshole.
Please remember one thing: This is OUR country. It's not theirs. The only way they can keep destroying it is if we continue to give them permission. We gave them permission in 2000, 2002, and 2004. Let us not give them permission this time around. The stakes are too great, the price is too high, and the real terrorists are right here, on our own soil.
For the sake of whatever god you hold dear, stop being a village of idiots! Our time of collective willful ignorance has to stop now, or we shall all pay the price! People like me who rail against it all will be the first to pay, but eventually, even the most pliant among you will also pay. This is for real! It's not a test. The wolf is at the door yet again, and he's huffing and puffing!
Blessed be!
Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 11:26:43 AM
This is Gary DeVaney. These are questions I thought up and posed at a "Was Bush behind 9-11" public meeting.
These were my off-camera questions. It was broadcast on the live Internet.
Hi. I have not heard these questions asked before.
1. If President George W. Bush is behind 9-11, is the United States Government currently operating as a Communist Government?
2. Is President George W. Bush a Communist who has formed a Communist Government?
3. If Communists should use George W. Bush to politically take over and destroy the United States of America - how better could they do it without firing a shot?
4. Has George W. Bush been operating like a "Stalin-Dictator" of a Communist Government?
5. If the U. S. Government is now a Communist Government, would that explain why no other Government officials can competently respond to public challenges, inquiry and charges?
As a former Army Reserve officer, who took an oath to support and defend the Constitution, it totally angers me to think up and publically ask these gut-wrenching questions.
Any corrections, feedback or comments?
Thank You!
garydevaney@earthlink.net
by
Gary DeVaney (2 articles, 1 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 14 comments)
on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 6:25:06 PM
Hey Pappy, excellent article, bloody well done. Every word is right on the money.
Question;
Why is it only the older people,(Vietnam Vintage and older) who see things so clearly like this ?
The younger people, no matter how hard one tries to explain things and simplify things, it would appear their brains are just unable to process what they're being told.
That's my humble opinion anyway.
TORTURE ?..... Stop wringing your hands mate, the PROBLEM is 95% of American citizens haven't the faintest idea of what TORTURE MEANS, simply cannot get their brains around it at all.
People who HAVE had experiecnes with TORTURE, like military personal, and moreso people who have been on the receivine end, are very well aware of what it means.
However, compared to the 300 million citizens in America today, such people are a tiny minority, thus no threat whatever to the Administration. Therein lies the conundrum.
Never mind mate, you've done your utmost to bring the light on the subject, and if people refuse to see what your talkin about, hey, that's their problem. You've more then done your share.
Actually, the whole thing is laughable, right at the beginning when the Patriot act was envisaged, I warned hundreds of people, it's contents could be used against each and every one of them, NOT just the elusive terrists.
I was laughed at and poo poo'd, "NEVER HAPPEN" they said.
Then all of a sudden, people were refused boarding of aircraft cause some how their names found their way onto secret listings, did the populace rise and protest ?
Hardly, only the people who were being so unfairly penalised protested, and that, NON TOO LOUDLY AT THAT in fear of more sevre actions taken against them by their DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT.
Then we had juveniles being arrested and locked up for wearing T shirts with uncomplimentary writtings upon them, treated as lowly criminals and made examples of should anyone voice their opposition to their Government.
Was there any objection ? A tiny breath was evidant which was blown away by the propoganda power of the Administration.
It has now reached the stage, where events in America are similar to the STALINIST ERA that was prevalent in the Communist days. Americans are too afraid to speak out against their Administration in fear of their lives of action from said Administration for retribution.
The old saying;
"WE GET THE GOVERNMENT WE DESERVE" comes to mind for me at least a 100 times a day, as it is SO RELEVANT in todays environment.
Take care mate, and ensure your affairs are in order as the SS may be coming for you and make you disappear.
by
Eddy Schmid (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 192 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 4:46:11 AM
Question; Why is it only the older people,(Vietnam Vintage and older) who see things so clearly like this ?
The younger people, no matter how hard one tries to explain things and simplify things, it would appear their brains are just unable to process what they're being told.
Because we lived through watching war on TV. We lived through the reality of a truly organized war opposition. It's still very real and clear to us. We can't be so easily fooled into submission because we all saw it happening on the evening news as we ate supper.
Kids of today have never had to see war for the horror that it really is. To them, it's all abstract and etherial. The only time war seems to be real to them is when it's part of a video-game bloodbath, or part of some flag-waving kill 'em all propagandist movie. The news coverage of this war is sanitized for their protection. Why else would the government go to such lenghts to "embed" journalists instead of letting them run hither and yon as they did in Vietnam? Keep the blood to a minimum. Keep it etherial. Don't let the reality of death and destruction come through the viewfinder. It's bad for ratings, don't you know?
TORTURE ?..... Stop wringing your hands mate, the PROBLEM is 95% of American citizens haven't the faintest idea of what TORTURE MEANS, simply cannot get their brains around it at all.
Which is another part of the problem. One would have thought with the pictures of what happened in Abu Ghraib, people would have gotten a clue what torture really is.
While I have never served in the military, both my parents did, as did my older brother, and friends of my parents. To me, war and its fallout are very real. They aren't silly etherial constructs or meaningless words. Besides all that, one doesn't have to witness torture to know it's a moral and ethical black hole...or at least one would think so.
Never mind mate, you've done your utmost to bring the light on the subject, and if people refuse to see what your talkin about, hey, that's their problem. You've more then done your share.
Thank you for saying so. Yes, I have been trying for quite some time to impress upon people the importance of using their brains as more than ear spacers. Most of the time was spent at my blog, and few people wanted to listen at all. At least here, there is a more receptive audience, even if they don't like what I say or how I say it.
The problem is, if people refuse to see this time around, it's going to get really scary, really fast. Even now, I take my life in my hands by writing here. There is much in history to prove that I am not being paranoid without good reason. This is not the first time that Habeas Corpus has been suspended. Every other time it has happened, those who railed against the powers that be wound up in prison. Considering what's at stake this time, what makes you or I believe that those who voice dissent won't be faced with the peril of prison without reason? Nothing, my friends, nothing! Those who don't believe it will happen are too deluded to even be considered sentient life forms.
"WE GET THE GOVERNMENT WE DESERVE" comes to mind for me at least a 100 times a day, as it is SO RELEVANT in todays environment.
Take care mate, and ensure your affairs are in order as the SS may be coming for you and make you disappear.
We get the government we deserve? I hate that saying. It's more like we get the government we were sold. We get the government we accepted without a fight. We the people allowed ourselves to be pushed into a consumerist slumber. We the people allowed ourselves to be hoodwinked by the fear mongers and the propaganda machine. There was just as much evidence of the truth behind the lies as there was the lies themselves. Most of the village of idiots made the choice to take the path of least resistance: allowing others to think for them. This is not the government we deserve, it's the government we bought through our own neglegence, laziness, and stupidity. Let us all hope that this time around, we caught the clue bus before the spin alchemists hopped on it and started to pull it apart again.
As for my affairs being in order, since I have no real affairs to speak of, it's no real problem. As I say in my tagline that appears below my articles, I am a "harpist, unemployed blue collar worker, and Bush basher living deep in the heart of Texas." The only thing that will stop if the SS does come knocking at my door is work on the production of my new CD. Since my first CD is a dismal sales defeat, and has no real audience except for a few queer radio stations around the country and in Australia, I doubt that I will be missed that much, except by my friends.
No, I really don't want to go to prison for just writing the truth as I see it, but let's face reality: because I take the stands I take, write the words I write, and am openly and clearly critical of the current regime in power in this country, I am a voice that must be silenced. While it is true there are other voices that are louder and infinitely more critical than I (Bill Maher, Keith Olbermann, etc.), they are more likely to be missed than an unemployed queer harpist living in a run down apartment complex in Texas.
Such is life, my friend. If I am to become a casualty of this war, then so be it. Yes, the sucky part of being a martyr for a cause is one has to die, but if that is what it takes for people to have their eyes opened to the reality of what's going on around them, then so be it. No, I'm not saying I will die if I am imprisoned, but given the condition of my health, that isn't entirely out of the realm of possiblity. I just hope that if I do die, my death is not in vain.
Here's hoping they can't find me until after the War Commissions act dies on the dias of the Supreme Court.
Blessed be!
Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 12:11:06 PM
Great article, Pappy. I'm grateful that you are one of the ones I'll meet up with in the Halliburton detention centers. I've had a similar experience over these past six years, reeling with incredulity, regaled with every mangled utterance out of smirky's mouth, that there is still one person that stands behind him, never mind a country full. Acts of TREASON have been committed by our unelected misrepresentatives, unless there is another word that describes willfully casting aside our Founding Documents, and all I hear is that namby pamby 'vote.' VOTE treason-committers out of office? Isn't there another remedy that our Founding Documents mandate? Oh, that's right. We are no longer guided by those documents. At the whim of some foot stamping fear mongering freak of nature, abetted by the majority of our Congress, enabled by not-my-fellow-Americans.
I've tried to rouse patriotic sentiment on this site and others and maybe I haven't tried hard enough or maybe the definition is lost in the fog of the past or in the shoveling down of fast food, pharmaceuticals, false media and a laughable uneducation system.
Who in this world cannot see that this country is everything we lord the threat of pre-emptive war over, not to be?
We are sitting ducks, and you have to wonder why our government is permitting this. Inviting it. Qui bono?
by
Susan Guest (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 73 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 6:30:44 AM
You know, it's hard to stand up for what's right when everyone else around you is taking the path of least resistance. I applaud anyone who can go against the grain.
As far as the traitors, they will pay. Ronny Ray-Gun paid for his callous disregard of the AIDS crisis by dying a slow, wasting, debilitating death; the same kind of death he condemned AIDS patients to die. Who is to say that karma isn't going to find a way to heap the same sort of punishment upon DUBYA and his henchmen they have been heaping on the rest of us? I may or may not be around to see it happen, but I think I can rest assured in the knowledge that those who are rife with the sins of our government will pay for those sins in one way or another.
As far as my cell, I hope I get to at least decorate it. Maybe I'll get really lucky, and they'll let me have a harp.
Blessed be!
Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 12:18:31 PM
not of Georgie of course, he is an idiot of the first degree, obsessed with outdoing his father and managed and controlled by a coterie of unscrupulous and evil men like Cheney and Rummy.
It is your assessment of the American voter that I must question. Stupid? Nahh, manipulated and controlled certainly. THe GOP has always used every means at its disposal to keep voter turnout low, as that favors their chances. With the media frimly under control, with the Democratic Party (strangely and unaccountably) missing in action the voter is turned off and turned out.
This is not the fault of the voter but of those we trusted to do the right thing. If we do not have faith in the American voter then to what end do we post here? How can we continue to struggle against the forces of darkness (melodramatic yup) if we do not place our faith in the existance of an electorate that will do the right thing if well informed?
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 7:21:24 AM
It is your assessment of the American voter that I must question. Stupid? Nahh, manipulated and controlled certainly. THe GOP has always used every means at its disposal to keep voter turnout low, as that favors their chances. With the media frimly under control, with the Democratic Party (strangely and unaccountably) missing in action the voter is turned off and turned out.
I'm sorry if our definitions don't jibe, but look at it from my point of view. In 2000, no one knew the kind of chicanery the Republicans could pull. In 2002, we were getting an idea: Push the fear button, and rally the Jesus freaks. In 2004, when the same old hit parade came trotting out of the TV, I knew what was afoot: Push the fear button, and rally the Jesus freaks. It worked so well, they really didn't need to stack the election. They did anyway, just to hedge their bets. Now, here we are in 2006, and what's happening again? Push the fear button, and rally the Jesus freaks. Only this time, the Jesus freaks are pissed because they feel used (awww...too bad), and the people are hip to the fear button being pushed.
If you doubt it, just last night, there was a story on ABC national news. The terror level was raised because of "unconfirmed" reports of terrorists plotting to explode dirty bombs at football stadiums. What was my first thought? Oh, lookie, they are pushing the fear button! Once again, we have "unconfirmed" reports of nebulous threats against an American institution: football.
First of all, the terror alert level has been in mothballs since 2004. It was briefly brought out for the UK terror plot. Then it was neatly stuffed back into the closet until just about a month ago. For some unknown reason, the terror level was raised to yellow...or was it orange? Oh, shit, I don't remember, suffice it to say, it was "elevated", whatever color that is. This latest terror "threat" raised it again to "elevated"...no, I still don't know what color that is.
Secondly, when the word "unconfirmed" comes out in reference to terrorist "threats", I immediately stop listening. I'm sorry folks, but I refuse to have my intelligence insulted anymore by such diffuse and unrealistic threats. I flatly refuse to be manipulated by the pushing of the fear button any longer. Even if this so-called "threat" does come to pass, I really don't care. I don't go to football games. I don't even watch that garbage on TV. Until such time as I hear Geiger counters clicking as they pass over me, I don't buy it at all.
That might seem a callous thing to say, but I am just completely over being manipulated. I know the difference between having my leg pissed on, and having a warm summer rain fall on it. I refuse to allow the pissers to insult my intellect any further. They can't do it if I don't allow it.
This is not the fault of the voter but of those we trusted to do the right thing. If we do not have faith in the American voter then to what end do we post here? How can we continue to struggle against the forces of darkness (melodramatic yup) if we do not place our faith in the existance of an electorate that will do the right thing if well informed?
Yes, it is their fault. I could have been one of them. It takes a lot less brain power to allow others to think for you than it does to think for yourself. Perhaps the fact that I have a built in bullshit detector put me ahead of the maddened crowd, but that doesn't excuse a single American voter who allowed themselves to be hoodwinked by the liars. As I said above, once we knew the dance steps the liars were taking, it was up to us to watch for them to show up.
Push the fear button, and rally the Jesus freaks; it's not a complicated dance. All you need to do is listen for the words "god", "Jesus", or "christian". Once you hear them, then look for the nebulous terror "threat" and the raising of the terror threat color code. While they may occasionally throw a curve and talk about the terror "threat" first, once you hear it, be ready for the next refrain.
This isn't rocket science! Anyone who fell for it in 2004 was willingly duped. I refuse to see it any other way. From the Jesus Freaks who were used by the Republicans to the ignorant idiots who danced on the strings of fear button pushing, they were all willing participants in their own duping. The truth was out there, just lying to the side of the bullshit and propaganda. It didn't take a superior intellectual mind to figure it out. It only took a mind unwilling to buy into the bullshit.
I'm sorry if my premise for the article steps on a few feet, but the time for being politically correct is long fucking past! Sometimes in order to get the donkey's attention, he needs to be smacked upside the head with a two-by-four. Consider this article my two-by four. If we who write here fail to get others' attention this time, we can all get ready for a little bit of happy imprisonment at the hands of those who pushed the fear button, and rallied the Jesus freaks.
So if what I say hurts any delicate flowers, perhaps that's just your conscience getting the better of you. Don't defend those who were willingly duped, slap them for being so stupid. It's time we started voting like responsible adults in this country, not blindly obedient stupid children. I always vote with my conscience. Is it so hard for others to do the same? We shall see, my friends.
Blessed be!
Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 12:51:24 PM
Look Pappy, it is really simple. The great majority of Americans are apolitical, we are not, I in fact am consumed with the damn subject, but you and I are far from average. Many Americans dont even vote, the rest vote every two years and forget about it the rest of the time, this is normal we are notso normal......
In any event, if we are sincere about change we must pesuade these very folks who you denigrate or we will fail. Where on earth do you think to turn to effect the changes you desire? Calling folks idiots doesnt really persuade them to join your cause you know.
by
ardee D. (6 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 2388 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 3:34:15 PM
Look Pappy, it is really simple. The great majority of Americans are apolitical, we are not, I in fact am consumed with the damn subject, but you and I are far from average. Many Americans dont even vote, the rest vote every two years and forget about it the rest of the time, this is normal we are notso normal......
No, we aren't. I have voted in every election that has been held since my eighteenth birthday. There are many reasons.
Firstly, the Boy Scouts. Oh, I was one. Part of the Boy Scout mentality is caring for "god and country". Even though I only made it to the Webelo level, I still took the part about god and country very seriously. I still do, well, not so much the god part, more like goddess and country.
Secondly, history and civics classes. I was taught that it was every citizen's duty to vote, to watch our government, and to speak up when it was necessary. I obviously took that very seriously indeed. I still take it seriously, and frankly, I get really pissed off at others who don't.
We HAD, at one time in this country, real freedom, real liberty, and real rights. Now, because of so many who couldn't be bothered to do their goddamned civic duty, all of those things are now swirling in the toilet.
Sure, they'll vote for some stupid "entertainer" on American Idol, but they can't be bothered to vote for a politician. It takes less effort to vote in an election than it does to go through all the steps to vote via cell phone for a fucked-up TV show. There is, to my mind, something incredibly wrong about that. Frankly, it pisses me off. They'll vote for something as immaterial and worthless as a singer on a TV show, but can't be that decisive when it comes to their freedoms and liberty. What is that about?
Thirdly, my father was very political. He was quite active in both the Teamsters Union, as well as the Democratic Party in my town of birth, Toledo. He beat taking responsibility for politics into my head. He made sure I got registered to vote when I turned eighteen. He and I went to the polls together the first time I actually voted. He made sure my sisters, and everyone else in the family voted. It was his big thing...and now it's mine.
In any event, if we are sincere about change we must pesuade these very folks who you denigrate or we will fail. Where on earth do you think to turn to effect the changes you desire? Calling folks idiots doesnt really persuade them to join your cause you know.
You know, there comes a time when you have to stop coddling people and lay out the plain, unvarnished truth to them. Will it piss people off? Of course it will. Might it make them think? That's the hope, anyway. Might that one Iota of thought make a difference? You bet your ass!
I am sick to death of hearing people whining about not offending others. I get offended on a daily basis. Be it from watching the news, surfing the web, driving to wherever, or any other number of ways in which I come in contact with the rest of society, I find offense just about everywhere I look. So what?
I am a big boy! I am forty-four years old. If I haven't learned to deal with being offended as of yet, then I ought to just hang it up and walk in front of a speeding train. If people are so easily offended, they need to develop thicker skins. Maybe by saying things as I say them, I might help that one person get a thicker skin. That might be a good thing!
I'll grant you I may have been harsh in my assessment. You tell me, what would you call someone who is ignorant, and by all outward indications, has made a choice to remain ignorant? Would you not call them idiots? I sure would, and I did.
There is a vast difference between a willingly ignorant idiot, and someone who is ignorant, but is trying to overcome that ignorance. For the person who is trying to overcome, I have nothing but patience, love, hope, and a willingness to help them break out of their ignorance. I do not and cannot possibly know everything there is to know in life. However, when I come upon something of which I am ignorant, if I value that something, I will work to get rid of my ignorance. If I can do that, and others who don't have the depth of education I have can do it, why can't everyone?
You may be right by saying that calling people idiots doesn't persuade them to join my cause. Frankly, I don't care. My assumption is by writing articles to this site, I am not writing to idiots. Now that is not always true, but it's an assumption nonetheless.
Further, I don't want people to "join my cause" just because I tell them they should. I want people to join my cause because they believe in what I say, they find truth in my words, or their lives have shown them that what I say is right. I don't want to be surrounded by a bunch of un-thinking sycophants who assume that because I can put words together rather well, that I am the be-all and the end-all of life. I am so far from that, it's frightening.
I want to make people think. Sometimes the best way to do that is to challenge them, offend them, or piss them off. I don't get really creative in my thinking until such time as I get placed in an uncomfortable state.
So, was I being too harsh? No, not at all. Frankly, I think what I said has needed to be said for some time now. Do I really think the average American is an idiot. Yes and no. If they can't be bothered to vote, or do so with even the slightest degree of intellect, then yes, they are. If they can vote for some singer on a TV show, but can't vote for someone who can make a real difference in their lives, yes, they are. If they make the effort to vote, and try to make that vote an informed decision, then no, they are far from idiots. Even if they don't vote for what I believe in, at least by them making the effort to understand the issues and the stands of politicians with regard to those issues, then they are far from idiots.
So, the question is, are you (not you specifically, Ardee) an idiot or not? If so, then don't you think it's time you tried to stop being one? If you aren't an idiot, then get your ass out to the polls come November 7, and help the rest of us get rid of the real idiots!
Blessed be!
Pappy
by
Pappy (61 articles, 0 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 863 comments)
on Friday, October 20, 2006 at 4:30:28 AM
America is falling desperately in need of a change. The issue is that most people fail to recognize the problems out of ignorance or plain indignance with a mentality that "that won't happen to me". We cannot take for granted our freedoms in this country, which we obviously are starting to lose. From the viewpoint of a high school student urgently trying to understand the world and it's problems that I know affect me and those around me, I want to be clear that this generation has not lost interest in the world. Although I clearly cannot speak for the rest of my peers, I feel it should be pretty obvious that my generation is no more oblivious than any other impulsive, emotionally driven teenage generation. My generation has, however, lost the ability to think on its own. We are spoon-fed everything from our parents, and given cell phones and our own cars because some capitalist decided that since test scores are improving, teenagers somehow should be given "rewards". If anyone complains about the present state of the world today-they better be willing to sit back and think about the part they played in making it that way. Even if people decide that they are completely outraged at the ways of society, it is going to take more than a couple of angry emails and protests to get us back on track. If we recognize the problem and have no solution, maybe we haven't been thinking hard enough. Having already attended a few peace marches, it becomes clear that a local crowd of even 500 people isn't enough to excite hope in a better political policy tomorrow. The news media isn't covering anything that the government wouldn't want us to see. Someone has got an agenda, and yet here we sit-comfortable at our computers, complaining about the state of the world-and where does it get us? Maybe it is time to propose a positive solution to these negative problems. What about that?
by
Michelle (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 3:32:53 PM
America is falling desperately in need of a change. The issue is that most people fail to recognize the problems out of ignorance or plain indignance with a mentality that "that won't happen to me". We cannot take for granted our freedoms in this country, which we obviously are starting to lose.
We aren't starting to lose them, we have lost them. We lost our basis for rule of law on October 17, 2006. We lost it when DUBYA signed the Military Commissions Act of 2006. In one fell swoop of a pen on paper, the very basis of our criminal justice system was placed in suspended animation. It wasn't killed, but it's been wounded pretty deeply. Eventually, it will come back, but how many will suffer without it until it does come back? One person will be one person too many, if you ask me.
We lost our right to free and fair elections in 2000 and 2004. We allowed those elections to be stolen without one word of protest. The ones usurped by the non-winners allowed their offices to be stolen with little or no protest. How can we claim to be a democracy when the very thing that defines it, free and fair elections, no longer exist in this country?
We lost our true freedom of speech when the FCC began censorship via huge and arbitrary fines for so-called "indecency". What is indecent? asshole, cock, cocksucker, cunt, fuck, mother fucker, piss, pussy, shit, tits, etc. George Carlin called them the "seven deadly words". I count ten in my list. They are just words, but uttering anyone of them on the radio, or on broadcast TV is worthy of huge fines. Oh yeah, and so was Janet Jackson's tit, or anyone's penis.
Real freedom of speech exists one place and one place only: The internet. Remember that the next time you hear someone talking about net neutrality. No matter what the telecom industry might say, net neutrality means freedom of speech. Let's not allow this last refuge for free speech to go the way of the dinosaur, or the TRS 80.
From the viewpoint of a high school student urgently trying to understand the world and it's problems that I know affect me and those around me, I want to be clear that this generation has not lost interest in the world. Although I clearly cannot speak for the rest of my peers, I feel it should be pretty obvious that my generation is no more oblivious than any other impulsive, emotionally driven teenage generation.
Trust me when I say there are people who were teens when I was who have no interest in politcs whatsoever. The fact that you are willing to come here and speak up is a very good thing indeed. I would never say otherwise. I am all for those who care enough about the world to ask questions, make statements, or goddess forbid, think for themselves.
Keep on keeping on. It's a long hard road before you, but if you are willing to seek wisdom, you can avoid many of the bumps that some of us hit. I am always grateful for those who pointed out some of the rougher parts of the road to me.
Keep this in mind, there are two ways to get wisdom: make mistakes yourself, or observe the mistakes of others. From my experience, the latter is a lot easier on the hide than the former. However, the lessons brought by the former are not so easily forgotten.
My generation has, however, lost the ability to think on its own. We are spoon-fed everything from our parents, and given cell phones and our own cars because some capitalist decided that since test scores are improving, teenagers somehow should be given "rewards". If anyone complains about the present state of the world today-they better be willing to sit back and think about the part they played in making it that way.
Firstly, let me correct a logical fallacy. When you say, "My generation has, however, lost the ability to think on its own," you have ignored the fact that by you saying what you have said, you are proving that you do have the ability to think. An admission of this magnitude shows two things, humility and the ability for rational abstract thought. That's more than enough to build a sound mental state upon. That's more than enough to build a thoughtful life upon. Give yourself the credit that is your due. No one else will give it to you (except perhaps me, but I won't always be around).
Even if people decide that they are completely outraged at the ways of society, it is going to take more than a couple of angry emails and protests to get us back on track. If we recognize the problem and have no solution, maybe we haven't been thinking hard enough. Having already attended a few peace marches, it becomes clear that a local crowd of even 500 people isn't enough to excite hope in a better political policy tomorrow. The news media isn't covering anything that the government wouldn't want us to see. Someone has got an agenda, and yet here we sit-comfortable at our computers, complaining about the state of the world-and where does it get us? Maybe it is time to propose a positive solution to these negative problems. What about that?
First of all, let me say that grassroots political involvement is a wonderful thing. Many great politicians and great political movements began in the grassroots arena. Never ever denigrade anything you do in a political vein. You may not see results for a while. You may not see results at all. However, by fighting for what you feel is right, eventually, you will come to a place where results do come your way.
Secondly, what kinds of changes do you propose? We are all ears here, of that you can be sure. I'm always up for ways to make things happen.
Thirdly, there are different jobs for us all. Some are better at writing than others. Some are better at getting down and dirty in the trenches. Some are better at passing out fliers, sitting in at demonstrations, or being civilly disobedient. We all have our thing. Trust me, if I could get away with some of the shit I used to do when I was younger, I'd be out carrying signs and blocking traffic. I am better here, so here is where I will stay until such time as I am dragged off by the New American Gestapo.
I railed against the Republicans in 2000, 2002, 2004, and now, in 2006. All indications are the tide might turn my way. Was it because I kept on keeping on, or was it because of event and circumstance out of my control? Does it really matter if I get to see it happen? Hell no! We put out to the universe what we can, and we wait to see what happens. We can do no more or less than that. As long as we are doing the job we need to do, things will eventually fall into place.
Chin up, my young friend. You have more on the ball than you think you do. Use your high energy level and impetuousness now before they die out. Some of us "elder statesmen" can't get around as well as you can. While you have the ability, use it as best you can. It's your part to play, so play it for all it's worth!
Remember always there is more to life. Always be ready for the next phase of your life. Keep on keeping on. It's really all you can do! When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. It's a cliche, I know, but the truth of it has always shown up in my life. Good luck and thanks for sharing a part of yourself!
