Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Those the gods wish to destroy....

Avoiding direct interaction and outright exposure to American politics has become something of an obsession with me. I have watched a few people in my life suffer from dementia and while it is heart wrenching, to say the very least, on an individual level seeing the signs in society as a whole takes on a surreal meaning with nightmarish overtones. For that reason I have held my tongue from making direct political observations and only making the briefest comments at other sites.

This has even played into my viewing of the news, gone are the days when I watched the news channels seeking a constant update on events here in America and around the world. American news channels and shows, at best, have a very myopic view of the world seeking to cast all events in the light on how they affect this country. At worst they spend far too much time on the latest celebrity antics ignoring such “trivial” matters like never ending wars, expanding poverty, increasing hunger, and the growing incompetence and corruption of elected officials to name a few.

Heaven forbid that some nationally broadcast evening news not spend a third of its allotted time explaining how some self-destructive former child star painted an obscene phrase on the fingernail of her middle finger as she bemoaned some judge throwing her back into rehab. At least the high paid readers on those shows still mention when American soldiers are killed in Afghanistan even though it’s an overall bummer with some corporate suit probably up in the office wishing like Hell he could cut the segment out. There is simply no need to depress suburbia when the greater good calls for all patriotic Americans to flock back to the malls and spend money they do not have.

Still though some things defy my ability to comprehend forcing me to wax on like some redneck Gibbon living in real-time as the world falls apart.

The first is the refusal of Sarah Palin to go quietly into the night of obscurity. There is in most reason bound groups a careful, polite chuckle whenever someone brings up the idea of Mama Grizzly winning the White House in 2012. If this was the world of 1992, I would most certainly agree, but with reality increasingly distorted like the reflection in some funhouse mirror I don’t think she can so easily be discounted. Frank Rich in his November 20 column said it best:

“…logic doesn’t apply to Palin. What might bring down other politicians only seems to make her stronger: the malapropisms and gaffes, the cut-and-run half-term governorship, family scandals, shameless lying and rapacious self-merchandising. In an angry time when America’s experts and elites all seem to have failed, her amateurism and liabilities are badges of honor. She has turned fallibility into a formula for success.”
Now understand my right-wing readers (if I have any) I do not hate Sarah, I find her an odd curiosity and totally unqualified to serve as county dog catcher but other than that I am indifferent. I do find it interesting how certain elites are doing their best to keep such an incurious person in the national spotlight. The other person that almost assures me that we are living in the end times is the good governor of Texas.

Rick Perry is an imposing man with a quick smile much like the ones revival preachers would display right before they began casting demons of illness out of the bodies of senior citizens. These preachers would dance under tents during humid summer nights proclaiming the Second Coming of Christ in a matter of weeks or months and how all the sinners would in the course of God’s plan end up burning in the lake of fire. This would always bring on a round of joyous dancing and loud praising by the good people sitting in the uncomfortable folding seats.

Now do not misunderstand me, I have always felt such preachers had their place in society. In the old days they were largely harmless and existed on the outer fringes of society providing a kind of comfort for folks for whom the world was a simple place. Plus tent revivals are truly an underrated form of entertainment offering excellent home cooked food and the chance to see unusually grumpy old ladies swoon with passion at the preacher casting out Satan's spawn.

It was only when these preachers started drifting into the mainstream of American life and getting elected to public office did things really begin to meltdown. So much that Perry can scream like the aforementioned revival preacher about “federal overreach and tyranny” but in the same breath openly discuss invading Mexico:

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday he would support sending U.S. troops into Mexico to fight the drug war. The Republican has long urged beefed-up security on the American side of the violence-plagued border, but he said stronger tactics are needed to defeat the drug cartels. "You have a situation on the border where American citizens are being killed, and you didn't see that back when George Bush was the governor," Perry said in an interview with MSNBC. Asked whether the U.S. should consider deploying troops inside Mexico, Perry said the federal government should consider all options "including the military."
Such is one of the inspiring lights of the conservative movement that he wants to us to go into a country with gun blazing that is still pissed with us over “stealing” a third of their country in the Mexican-American War. If there was any one sure fire answer to end the drug war raging in that country it would be the sight of American tanks and armored personnel carriers going across the Rio Grande. Fred Reed has a far better insight on this although he is extremely politically incorrect.

That few in the United States understands we did in fact go to war with Mexico in the 1840’s does nothing to give me any warm fuzzies. And to be honest if Perry can find a “reason” to go into Mexico our Canadian friends have every reason to fear we might one day decided to bring the blessings of democracy to them, after all they have plenty of oil as well.

While I am stressing the low hanging insanity of the right in this ramble, please understand that I am fully aware that the left has its own host of people for whom the laws of nature can be suspended with a wave of the magic wand as rainbows and unicorns sprout from their asses. I will leave reasonable members of the right to address those examples since I have already pissed my own people off. On that last sentence, absence of evidence for their existence is not evidence of absence although I am beginning to have my doubts.

My main point is that clever slogans and smooth talking pundits from both sides of the political spectrum do little to address the real issues this country faces. I am a liberal, damn near a socialist when you compare me to the people I am around, but I refuse to believe any one political movement has all the answers. I wish like hell it did, it would make solutions to our problems far simpler. Quite frankly I see several freight train-sized problems headed straight for us which will require everyone pitching in with their own talents and ideas to avert disaster.

But it always comes back to a population giving a damn about something other what they can buy and what some media type is doing on the most popular reality show of the month. Right now there is no evidence of anything like that and we are still mindlessly standing on the tracks with the trains coming at full speed.

18 comments:

PENolan said...

All I have to say is:
Make Love not War

Bill's Big Bamboo said...

Sister Sarah is in Litle Rock today, signing her book at the Sam's Club in the Western part of town.

500 people only ... no cameras allowed.

She could come to my front door & I could care less. Although, I'd probably take a photo of her, just to get her P/O'ed.

Mycue23 said...

we should be careful about taking on canada. They are the only nation to have twice repelled our military efforts to annex their land. We actually lost the war of 1812 to canada. No one seems to remember that fact though. We better stick to mexico. We`ve always had much better luck down there.

David Barber said...

Agree with PENolan. Politics are killing this planet. Global warming is way down the list when it comes to politics, wars and religion.

Anyway, b******s to politics, it's December tomorrow and the start of The Season of Good Will!!!!

Regards Beach, David.

Chef Cthulhu said...

So many good points in here I don't know where to start. So I'll just say "right on".

I'm a pretty middle of the road guy myself...the absence of moderation in politics today is poison.

I will say this. If "Sarah Barracuda" becomes my Commander-in-Chief, there is a damned solid probability that I will submit my retirement papers the day after election day, 2012.

Commander Zaius said...

Tricia: I agree but I would settle for a dime bag of some good Carolina reefer and a bong.

Bill: I still say I don't "hate" Sarah, I save such attitudes to those who can directly hurt me even though she pisses on most things I believe in. Frankly I've heard enough of her shit to say that I ain't going to give her clan the satifaction of being able to yank my chain.

Mycue: If we are to invade anyone I suggest the as yet unspoiled tropical paradise of Cuba. I have a thing for Hispanic ladies.

David: Bite your tongue on the season of Good Will my friend, over here its a shopping Hell where people are trampled at Wal-Mart for a new Playstation. I'm in bunker mode as of last Friday and will not leave until well after New Years. Its scary out there!

Chef: I still refuse to really believe she could ever get elected POTUS, but like I wrote, reality is distorted these days.

Life As I Know It Now said...

But it always comes back to a population giving a damn about something other what they can buy and what some media type is doing on the most popular reality show of the month. Right now there is no evidence of anything like that and we are still mindlessly standing on the tracks with the trains coming at full speed.

I see it coming for us. Buying our selves right into the grave--a fitting end for capitalism I guess! :)

Ranch Chimp said...

This is an excellent posting Bum ... and a clear look at the condition. Being Texan ... as far as Perry is concerned ... I dont take him serious on most thing's ... he's basically bought and paid for, and has a good gift of gab basically ... and also understand, unlike most state's in the nation ... Texas Governor's hardly have any power here. All the power in Texas is actually to the people who actually get off their asses and vote ... town's like Dallas dont even have "strong Mayor" as most in the country ... the council's here are the power. If a majority of Texan's actually got out and voted ... I have no doubt this would be one of the blue- est state's today. Dallas id a democrat run city as an example, and two third's of even all gay/ lesbian political candidate's even won in the last election in this city. It's a weird state and very diverse as well.

One of the most hilarious thing's in recent year's here in Texas ... was all the talk that Perry was gay, and had some relationship on the side ... it was laughable as Hell watching him make a public appearance and statement trying to tell folk's that he isnt gay. :)

Commander Zaius said...

Liberality: Lenin once said the capitalists would buy the rope they would hang themselves with from the commies. Seems like that is even more possible now but the rope will come from Red China with them kicking our ass in capitalism.

Ranch: Yeah, there is constant talk here in South Carolina that senator Lindsey Graham is gay, its been something sweep under the rug for years, more or less, but since less. But since Lindsey has so pissed off the Tea baggers its an even bet they will bring it up in a very public manner in 2012.

okjimm said...

Sarah is a sad comment on the American Ethos. A rabid PTA Mom whose daughter was not elected Homecoming Queen.

Pixel Peeper said...

Lindsey Graham gay? Hm...never heard that one. Though I always heard that Andre Bauer is.

Of course, there are rumors about our governor here in FL, too.

I always enjoy reading what German newspapers write about Sarah Palin. "She with the tapeworm sentences..." LOL

Will "take no prisoners" Hart said...

The good news, double b, is that there does seem to be a glass-ceiling of sorts with a lot of these tea party candidates. You had Miller, Angle, Buck, O'Donnell, that screaming lunatic from New York (he ran for Governor - I can't even remember his name) all losing and, except for Buck, losing decidedly. I cannot imagine the people of this country electing Sarah Palin - even, I'm saying, if we had 20% unemployment.

Commander Zaius said...

Jim: Can't tell you how many Tea baggers like her just for her legs and ass, and to think they whined about how many dems looked up to Obama.

Pixel; Yeah, Lindsay has issues and as for as Bauer is concerned I have heard more about him from my state government "connections."

Will: Yeah you are right but Palin's sister grizzly won the governor's house down here in South Carolina.

lime said...

it's all just unbelievably disturbing. it really is.

Commander Zaius said...

Lime: Its why I only touch on politics rarely.

Ranch Chimp said...

It's 4:20am here Bum ... and Dallas PD has the neighborhood all up once again ... 15 minute's now a chopper keep's flying over also where my bloody wall's feel like their vibrating, not sure what it is this time, but they dont use this much manpower unless it was a homicide/ robbery or similar, several 24 hour businesses here in the neighborhood, so they get hit too once in awhile.

But anywayz ... I wanted to comment on the Palin thing where you said you dont hate her. One thing I noticed back a couple year's ago when this chick started getting headline, was she was a winner, I done a few posting's on her. When she first appeared as McCain's running mate ... I frankly said "Who?" ... I never heard of her before (they were playing a gender card at that time only). But I actually admired her, she was a big sport's fan, loved hunting, and those two thing's are good enough to me, and I frankly thought she was cute too! But I done a lil reading up on her, and thought, this is one to watch closely and "hope" she does not get elected ... in one posting I labeled her as the "Grim Reaper of American Democracy", soon folk's started saying who supported her, she was moderate on religion .... Hell NO brother ... DONT believe that ... if you give this woman ANY power, believe me ... she will utilize it ... she is gung- ho on so many thing's, especially big business, and the idea that she is "dumb" like many label her just because of some dumb comment's is also false ... she is very manipulative, she can sell a lemon car used to anyone too, she is a real hustler ... I even stated earlier in the year they would be trying to groom her just for the Hell of it (big money that is) to see if they utilize her and pick her to run 2012. I been watching this gal close ... you sure as Hell dont want her in power ... you think Bush was bad ... put it this way ... Cheney was Bush's brain ... and she would be like having Bush and Cheney in one.

Dave Dubya said...

Aww, but Sarah is such a pretty face of fascism, all wrapped in the flag carrying a cross.

JMyste said...

MyCue, you will probably not see this comment, but I am going to say it anyway, because I think it is an important contribution to this discussion of trains and I must:

We can defeat Canada! We can.