I woke up too early, and spent those wonderful quiet moments surfing around, seeing what others had to say about this ongoing war. About the demonstration. I found my expected responses- those that are better served by minimizing, those that are better served by playing up its significance. I thought about the 'guest list" for this latest anger-fest... and wondered who chose them, and who had been invited but declined.
Lew makes some points about this topic at Unbrainwashed a blog in the tradition of H+S. I enjoy a good "off the cuff" opinion. I can get analysis, news, theory, criticism...we know where to g for those. But blogs are where we go when we just want to tinker inside the minds of our cyber-neighbors.
Lew:
This Saturday, a major war protest is being planned for Washington DC. With support for the war at 32% , you would think that this would be the oppurtunity for the democrats to grow a spine and show up and support the anti-war movement, since now a full majority of Americans disapprove of the way the war is being handled. But, alas, no Democrats plan on showing up.
I shouldn't say no Democrats, Cynthia McKinney and John Conyers will be there. No John Kerry, no Hillary Clinton, no Howard Dean, however. Cindy Sheehan will be there, and she spoke to Ms. Clinton about attending and was met with the reply "Now is not the time to come out against the war." Actually, the time to come out against the war was before it even started, but the Democratic leadership, those spineless craven cowards, were too timid to even vote against the war, despite the worldwide protests before the war. How many of our troops must die in a desert quagmire before they decide to stand up against it? How many billions of dollars must we waste in over payments to Halliburton before they wake up and realize that the effort is draining the country with no substantial results.
So these are our choices America: the chickenhawks of the right, too cowardly to enlist themselves, but all too eager to send our troops to die so a few of their contributors can rake in a nice profit at taxpayer expense, and the chickenshits on the left, too cowardly to stand up against the right and Israel as they demand more and more sacrifices of our money and children.
We don't need a protest, folks, we need a new American revolution.
8 comments:
All the more reason I follow diaries like yours, MB. If we've ever needed "seasoned pros" of your stripe, now's the time.
Well, I don't say it just as a gratuitous stroke (though you may take it as such if you like).
I was active in my early 20s, was quite disillusioned by what I saw happening (or rather, not happening) and now, in my late 30s, I look to folks that have been around the block a time or two as barometers of the current climate. I'm good for a long-winded bitch, but having been out of the proper circles for too many years, my perspective isn't as "informed" as yours or Greenlily's. So, for better or worse, you two, and others, are my signposts while I try and figure out just what the hell I can do besides screaming myself hoarse.
(Just curious -- what led you to this obscure corner of the blogosphere? A hearty welcome to you.)
As am I. We'll do our best to make the trip worthwhile.
Cheers.
Welcome Meteor Blades! I figure there is nothing wrong with a gentle reminder to revolt once in a while.
On Lew, I explored his blogs a bit after he graciously stopped by one I contribute to- I try to return the gesture and check out what guests are doing on theirs. I thought his ranting-rambling off the cuff style was cozy to me, for reasons obvious to people that know my rants. Before I knew it, I was reading for quite a while and enjoying his posts. His titles captured my attention.
As far as the 'what to do' question, I find that in asking it, people are often trying to excuse the fact that they are not actively trying to do anything. If I have an event and ten people show up- I can't boo-hoo apathy and say I failed. I say that they were ten people who took time out to hear about a topic. Thats something to me! We have to stop abusing people for what they do or don't do and get behind one another's often imperfect efforts.
Nothing wrong with a misguided mantra.
The problem is two-fold. Many people I talk to, or whose blogs i read are disgusted with the whole corrupted system, no one seems to know what to do or what is the first step for change. Some feel that the system will always remain corrupted, shrug their shoulders and keep lugging that ball and chain they've accepted. The other problem is the brainwashed, those who feel tied to a political party or a religious belief system that keeps telling them via knowledge filters (electronic and print medias feeding distortions half truths and out-and-out lies) that everything is fine if you just stick with us. I actively seek out other bloggers who are intelligent enough to realize that there needs to be some sort of change in hopes that if we all get together we can effect some sort of positive change on the way our country is heading. I call them patriots.
I like this Lew's style, I must admit. I hope he says some more. Lew- plug your blog. We're shameless around here anyway.
Hah! You just got bookmarked! My rants are at http://www.unbrainwashed.blogspot.com, or if you would like to view my art, there is also http://www.weirdand funkyart.blogspot.com (which I haven't updated in a while, maybe tomorrow, since my ex has the kids for the weekend).I started blogging because of my kids, too young to be drafted, but will be when we are still in Iraq, according to Rumsfeld's timetable (10-12years), and because i had been banned from submitting letters to the local paper (it's a long story)under my real name (http://www.kdmurphy.blogspot.com) and after my divorce found I could submit letters under a nom de keyboard, hence Lew Scannon.
banned? wow, I have written some terrible things but never got banned. Should I be offended?
I enjoy when public officials actually respond to me by name and refer to my comments because that is my 'irritation meter". I figure I have no shot in politics anyway... I am way too 'out there'. But I now have a good hillary-esque haircut to give me credibility. I think it helped- today they made my latte' just a little bit faster.....
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