Another one bites the dust....and another one does and another one does...another one bites the dust. Queen's song could be the dictator's anthem after a year where Middle East leaders seem to be falling faster than Congress' approval ratings.
But, is this just another diversion from our issues here at home? For 40 years, Gaddafi reigned in Libya. That he was oppressive to his own people is as much a matter of public record as is his eccentric personality. I'd like to care. I'd like to hail this as a victory for freedom and peace and all things involving unicorns and pixie dust. Unfortunately...I haven't seen any of the change here in my own country that the residents of the countries we're "helping" seem to be looking forward to enjoying.
Look, I understand that oppression anywhere is deplorable. But I've got a plank in my own eye. So forgive me if the splinter in the eye of the Middle East isn't my primary concern. Watching the Republican debates leaves me believing that the entire platform of the party is "let's get rid of Obama and figure out what to do AFTER....". The Obama camp seems to be in full circle the wagons mode. Neither is addressing the business of running the country.
But...Gaddafi is dead!! Scream it from the rooftops! Then tell me how it affects the Occupy Wall Street protests. Tell me how it impacts the polarized America that sees the protesters as either unemployed bums determined to undermine (and eventually destroy) our way of life, or a group of patriots fed up with being marginalized into a silent majority. Perhaps I was raised to simplify things to the point of understanding them. Only after getting a basic understanding do I attempt to add the layers of complexity. Maybe that's the wrong way. Maybe not. But the current discussion that includes childish name calling (from both sides), finger pointing (from both sides), and misrepresentation of the truth (from.both.sides) leads us where?
But...Gaddafi is dead!!! Yeah, I know...so is Bin Laden. So is Saddam. Is the American Dream next? Is it still alive? I'd like to see the body before they dump it in the ocean...politics as usual..... Stop it B
But, is this just another diversion from our issues here at home? For 40 years, Gaddafi reigned in Libya. That he was oppressive to his own people is as much a matter of public record as is his eccentric personality. I'd like to care. I'd like to hail this as a victory for freedom and peace and all things involving unicorns and pixie dust. Unfortunately...I haven't seen any of the change here in my own country that the residents of the countries we're "helping" seem to be looking forward to enjoying.
Look, I understand that oppression anywhere is deplorable. But I've got a plank in my own eye. So forgive me if the splinter in the eye of the Middle East isn't my primary concern. Watching the Republican debates leaves me believing that the entire platform of the party is "let's get rid of Obama and figure out what to do AFTER....". The Obama camp seems to be in full circle the wagons mode. Neither is addressing the business of running the country.
But...Gaddafi is dead!! Scream it from the rooftops! Then tell me how it affects the Occupy Wall Street protests. Tell me how it impacts the polarized America that sees the protesters as either unemployed bums determined to undermine (and eventually destroy) our way of life, or a group of patriots fed up with being marginalized into a silent majority. Perhaps I was raised to simplify things to the point of understanding them. Only after getting a basic understanding do I attempt to add the layers of complexity. Maybe that's the wrong way. Maybe not. But the current discussion that includes childish name calling (from both sides), finger pointing (from both sides), and misrepresentation of the truth (from.both.sides) leads us where?
But...Gaddafi is dead!!! Yeah, I know...so is Bin Laden. So is Saddam. Is the American Dream next? Is it still alive? I'd like to see the body before they dump it in the ocean...politics as usual..... Stop it B
Love. it. I think i'm quickly becoming your number one fan.
ReplyDeleteExcellent rant. Where is your call to action? lol
ReplyDelete@Micah I have a consistent call. Politics based on the people, not money. Punish criminal business practices (not sound business practices), no more bailouts, Domestic policy before Foreign policy, a return to stronger state gov't and smaller federal government, a complete overhaul of the banking system (among other things lol)
ReplyDeletei am with you, politics with the money taken out of the equation, much less corruption
ReplyDeleteMunk I question this daily, I'm a contractor working in Afghanistan (war profiteer) giggle giggle. But on a serious note, I too question why after 10 years does the U.S Military occupy this region of the world. Yet, its called a war on terror. How can it be a war on a state of being? And Congress never declared a "State of War". Since Bin Laden is dead, Anwar al-Awlaki (U.S Citizen dubbed terrorist), Saddam Hussein and countless others. What's next and who's next?
ReplyDeleteThe American Dream is as dead as a dream is fake.
ReplyDeleteno d**kridin here homie but you speak the truth whenever you post..be it hood slang or politics...i'm a fan and as long as you keep it funky and real you will always have one over this way.
ReplyDeleteI am not American, but thoroughly admire your style and eloquence. Also the fact that there's someone out in the wilderness crying out for logic! As our World finances wobble dangerously around us, I shall continue to read your posts with avidity.
ReplyDeletePolitics without the money is as delusional as unicorns and pixie dust. I say there's not enough money in politics. For all the money spent this next year on the idiotic commercials and messaging from all presidential candidates combined, it might buy us a couple years worth of beer commercials at the Superbowl. If you understand the root of money, productivity, then you understand the connection between money and property and speech. Because the people who have produced money have been taught to ignore and reject these facts, they reject their own character. Let them really decide how to invest and spend their money and we'll get better results.
ReplyDeleteFelonious has great questions but his call to action, as pointed out, is weak. "Politics based on people, not money" is as vacuous as anything we hear coming from the current crop. How 'bout "the best way to help the poor, is to not be one of them"...I think an actual monk said this. The real call to action is to educate yourself on what made this country great: INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS - not collective or tribal "rights" (see Declaration and Constitution) and CAPITALISM (see Atlas Shrugged)
@Defender if you read what I said, I've never asked simply for money out of politics in a vacuum. The billion + spent on campaign ads is "the American way"? I'm not in any way anti-capitalism. There are at least 80 videos and articles and in none of them have I ever mentioned doing away with capitalism. Are you telling me it's in the country's best interest for a corporation to influence policy, even if that policy is detrimental to the country? NAFTA? TARP? You can question the impact of of a companies contributions without being "against" capitalism. I said "BASED on people not money". I did NOT say there was no need for money. It seems you're defending something that wasn't attacked.
ReplyDeleteI also notice you compare my "platform" to that of actual candidates. I'm not running. I'm not interested in running. And Lang Hancock was an Aussie businessman...not a monk.
ReplyDeleteI also realized that once an agenda is in full swing there isn't much anyone can do to stop it. Those individuals who have ie; leaders who want to push a substance backed currency or go against the status quo, were all killed. So what is average man/woman with a voice going to do? Some would rather continue to sleep and live the American dream, watch football and complain about taxes. Revolution is key but who's willing to step up?
ReplyDelete