A Lament:

Having bought into the fear and frenzy, and for many, having publically declared as against the "flip floppers" on the left, I believe that a lot of folks who voted for Bush now feel subconsciously compelled to continue to defend him because of their need to prove that they were right/correct in their original commitment. So they "hear what they want to hear and disregard the rest" (Simon & Garfunkel paraphrase) in order to feed that need. True stories about real national security concerns take on disproportionate significance in their minds....there are plenty of such stories to go around these days....and drown out other realities. The essence of government by fear.

The human need to feel that you have somehow "won out" over an (obviously evil....they disagreed with you, didn't they?) opposition is strong! I am not proud to say that this exists in me, although I try to be aware of it and control it.

Alas, we have met the enemy, and they are us!

Admitting a mistake to one's self or one's peers, and then advocating something the herd can't countenance is a dynamic most Americans prefer to avoid.
Free expression has become socially unacceptable; and wherever this unacceptability reigns like a king, democracy is dead.
My advice is this: don't be fashionable. Don't see to the comfort of the mass around you. Their comfort or crippling is their responsibility. Don't protect the complacent who are asleep.

I will not helpsome who is unwilling to help themself, but how can I turn away those who know NOT to help themselves? Is this me condoning those in power controling the ignorant?

One thing that must be understood, is the lifestyle of the ignorant. Since I have come from this brood, I can maybe enlighten you to it. One thing, we spend almost 90% of our time on figuring out ways to feed, protect, and guide our children and then carrying out those plans. You know what we do with the remaining 10%? We sleep. I am lucky in that I am able to go to school full time and stay home with my children. That luck only came from the most horrible experence of my life. So is it really luck? Anyway, I diegress, few have time for politics, hell few even have time to spend time with their KIDS they are paying for, let alone anything "outside" the household. I feel we are kept this way on purpose, as long as we thinking about nothing but ourselves, not by vanity, because no one else is watching us, we will never see those that keep us here. I have seen and even done some things others would find hard to imagine, to feed my children. You know, after WWII, most of the countries we "saved" resorted to kidnapping others children to feed their own families? I have never shed blood for food, but can I honestly say I wouldnt? I have gone days without food, but can I go weeks? Would my honor allow me to suffer this to my children?

See our thoughts? Does politcs even really come into play at thie level of life? Can you say we are to blame? It is the duty of those we have little burden to atleast allow us some rest on your shoulder once in awhile? Those at my level, even if you change our government today, will notice NOTHING tomorrow. We fight not for ourselves, but for our children. We must admit anything and do anything for the survival of our species, no matter what your belief, that should be our number one goal. That begins with our chidlren and stays there.

On a side note from my long rant, have you noticed that what Jesus taught us is what will really save our world? Divine or not, wether he existed our not, The character of Jesus has given us a beautiful path to follow. Tobad most Christians today have destroyed their religion and people have lost his message.

Tim, you're right. That's a big part of why alot of soldiers can't ever say that the war was a mistake.

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An Iraq War vet charged a group of nuns protesting to end the war, grabbed a sign from one of their hands, yelled "Do they not realize what I went through?" and ripped it to shreds.

The nuns, whose signs read "Make Bread, Not Bombs," "Peace Is Pro-Life," "Wage Peace," "Support Our Troops, Bring Them Home," and "War Is Not The Answer," didn't press charges saying: "[he] was clearly suffering inside as a result of his experiences in Iraq."

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/31080/

Many from my level of income join the military because it provides and almost 200% pay rise from anything else we can get, plus it has health benefits for your whole family. The health insurence itself is a huge bonus. You just hope you are one of the ones that come home ok is all I hear.

I completely agree Tim.
The Right of America has been sold a big nasty ol bill of goods.
But first, they swallowed it up heart and soul.

For them, this is a lot of crow to eat.
Gradually though, the tide does change.
Those who would seem to defend the undefendable,
will feel free to act their concious when no one is looking.
Like in a polling booth!


I heard yesterday on the Radio that Bush's popularity is at 31%.
The Liberal population of America does not make up 69% of America.
That number proves that Conservative middle Americans are eating their crow pie!

Now, if we can just get the Democrats to forget the DC strategy and LISTEN to their consituents!

Agreed.

I also think that whereas this is a real issue for modern day patriots, it must surely be seen by Karl Rove as merely the "Law of Intended Consequences" in action. It is SO frustrating!