If there is one thing you can say about George W. it's that the man is consistent. He's spent the last 6 years tearing down the social safety net, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Iraq, America's reputation in the world community, our safety and security, our pride in our country . . . So I think it's only fitting that now he has managed to tear down his own political party!
I don't think George W. has ever had a reputation of being a great builder of things, he is a great tearer down of things however. And he does seem to be rather comfortable with death - other people's. He's actually way too comfortable apparently, or perhaps we wouldn't be in the situation in which we currently find ourselves.
So I think its good that his basic destructive tendencies have finally turned around on those who have supported him. I sincerely believe that George W's greatest talent is in fomenting destruction around him. However, I think somehow he will always personally remain untouched. I would take that as a warning for anyone who gets too close to him.
I've thought for a long time that Bush and the Neocons serve a great purpose for the body politic. Namely they are a collective virus, which has infected the body politic to demonstrate and feed on its weakness. The recent election has demonstrated that the country still has an operating immune system capable of fighting off such attacks. I only hope that we will not be lulled into a false sense of security.
The infection that is the president and his cronies is still capable of destroying us. They are what they are and they will do what they do. As long as we all recognize the test they represent and respond accordingly, we'll be okay. But we must remember that a destroyer can only ever be that. We must not expect the president to be a statesman or a leader or to even possess a rudimentary level of basic empathy. These functions are beyond his capabilities. We must accept this and we must vow not let down our guard again.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
THE FACE OF CORRUPTION
It is not unusual for nations to face great tests from external enemies. It is not even that unusual for democracies to struggle against internal enemies who seek to gain control and power for their own parochial interests. And it does occur, sometimes, that that internal enemy is represented by our own elected officials. This is the situation we face today.
There is a creeping corruption overtaking the body politic of America. As the president has alluded to, we are being tested. What he appears to be blissfully unaware of however is that he and his administration are the test.
The recent "compromise" regarding torture of prisoners represents a dark day, one of many as of late, for freedom and democracy. The rights of "enemy combatants", are determined to be unimportant compared to the need for security. Yet it doesn't take a PhD in Political Science to realize that when the definiton of enemy combatant is left to the administrative branch (any adminsitrative branch democratic or republican)to determine, we are all in danger.
It is interesting how things play out here in America. Corruption has become a huge issue in this campaign with sex and money scandals taking the headlines. What often happens, and the current situation is no exception, is that there is some awareness of what the real issue is but we shine the flashlight elsewhere.
Corruption is an issue and those scandals need to be adressed, but they are far less important than the corruption of our democratic values that has tasken place under the Bush administration. That is too terrifying to look at and in all honesty, the Bush administration tactics have shown that perhaps we don't, as a nation, value our democracy or our rights so much. If we had, much of what has transpired in the last 6 years would not have occurred.
There will be consequences to the way we have let this administration shred the Constitution. But perhaps we will once again learn its value once we no longer have its protection. As Joni Mitchell said "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till its gone."
There is a creeping corruption overtaking the body politic of America. As the president has alluded to, we are being tested. What he appears to be blissfully unaware of however is that he and his administration are the test.
The recent "compromise" regarding torture of prisoners represents a dark day, one of many as of late, for freedom and democracy. The rights of "enemy combatants", are determined to be unimportant compared to the need for security. Yet it doesn't take a PhD in Political Science to realize that when the definiton of enemy combatant is left to the administrative branch (any adminsitrative branch democratic or republican)to determine, we are all in danger.
It is interesting how things play out here in America. Corruption has become a huge issue in this campaign with sex and money scandals taking the headlines. What often happens, and the current situation is no exception, is that there is some awareness of what the real issue is but we shine the flashlight elsewhere.
Corruption is an issue and those scandals need to be adressed, but they are far less important than the corruption of our democratic values that has tasken place under the Bush administration. That is too terrifying to look at and in all honesty, the Bush administration tactics have shown that perhaps we don't, as a nation, value our democracy or our rights so much. If we had, much of what has transpired in the last 6 years would not have occurred.
There will be consequences to the way we have let this administration shred the Constitution. But perhaps we will once again learn its value once we no longer have its protection. As Joni Mitchell said "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got till its gone."
Thursday, September 14, 2006
FRAT BOYS GONE WILD
I can see the film clips now: Bush talking about WMD's in Iraq, Rumsfeld saying we have more than enough troops, Cheney snarling and Rove... well .. skulking somewhere. Oh it will be HILARIOUS. Someday.
It's incredible the lengths that the mainstream propaganda machine(formerly known as the media)will go to excuse the actions of this wayward bunch of prolonged adolesents. We do love our bad boys in this country, don't we?
It is however an unfortunate reality that adolescents, and adolescent boys in particular have this habit of causing car wrecks. Most make it out of their teen years withought killing themselves or someone else, but a certain percentage...
Which brings me back to the Christobusinessfascist gang occupying the White House at present. They really need to have their licenses suspended for everybody's sake. I don't really know how to put this any more clearly: WE NEED GROWN-UPS RUNNING THE COUNTRY!!!
It's great that a lot of people (friends of the administration) are making a bunch of money on this gig but people are dying and we're less safe as a country and as general inhabitants of planet earth. Logical arguments seem to have the same effect as discussions with hormone driven teens (in fairness to any teen type person reading this you're not all hormone driven and even when you are its not all the time - unlike, apparently, the current administration)blank stares and being told that we just don't understand.
We need to learn a lesson in this country and that is that chronological age, pedigree, religious affiliations - none of these things have any bearing on emotional maturity. That is something that can not be purchased with Daddy's oil money. You have to earn it.
It is increasingly apparent that the President has not. And I for one don't like being in the back seat of this car with him driving.
It's incredible the lengths that the mainstream propaganda machine(formerly known as the media)will go to excuse the actions of this wayward bunch of prolonged adolesents. We do love our bad boys in this country, don't we?
It is however an unfortunate reality that adolescents, and adolescent boys in particular have this habit of causing car wrecks. Most make it out of their teen years withought killing themselves or someone else, but a certain percentage...
Which brings me back to the Christobusinessfascist gang occupying the White House at present. They really need to have their licenses suspended for everybody's sake. I don't really know how to put this any more clearly: WE NEED GROWN-UPS RUNNING THE COUNTRY!!!
It's great that a lot of people (friends of the administration) are making a bunch of money on this gig but people are dying and we're less safe as a country and as general inhabitants of planet earth. Logical arguments seem to have the same effect as discussions with hormone driven teens (in fairness to any teen type person reading this you're not all hormone driven and even when you are its not all the time - unlike, apparently, the current administration)blank stares and being told that we just don't understand.
We need to learn a lesson in this country and that is that chronological age, pedigree, religious affiliations - none of these things have any bearing on emotional maturity. That is something that can not be purchased with Daddy's oil money. You have to earn it.
It is increasingly apparent that the President has not. And I for one don't like being in the back seat of this car with him driving.
Friday, March 24, 2006
THE INSTINCT TO LEAD
THE INSTINCT TO LEAD
There is in human nature an instinct to lead. Not all have it, and those that do, have it to a greater or lesser degree. But it is a necessary quality in anyone responsible for the lives of others, and certainly in a Commander in Chief.
It is an instinct because it goes beyond rational analysis. Someone who has it in abundance knows when it is time to allow subordinates to make decisions and when they must take control. Someone with the instinct can differentiate between truly dangerous, and merely uncomfortable circumstances. They know what is in their control to influence and they act on that knowledge.
A general with this instinct to lead prepares for the enemy to the best of his ability. When facing a formidable enemy, he would not hesitate for a minute in removing from command any subordinate officer who was not up to the task at hand. This would be the rational decision in the best interest of the soldiers and in the best interest of completing the mission.
Decisiveness and the automatic response of moving towards the action are other hallmarks of this instinct. In dire circumstances, a leader who has this drive to lead, is a comfort to his people and a warning to all enemies.
By these criteria, George W. Bush has failed this nation egregiously.
These are dangerous and unstable times. It is not sufficient to wage wars of choice. We must shore up our physical and security infrastructure and prepare for obvious threats.
But this nation must also respond forcefully when the battle is brought to our shores, whether that is by terrorists or the terror of nature run wild. Hesitation in these circumstances means death. The body count and the number of missing coming from the Gulf Coast emphasize this reality.
And we miust not forget that in a time of great national emergency, the Commander in Chief of this land was far from the front lines.
There is in human nature an instinct to lead. Not all have it, and those that do, have it to a greater or lesser degree. But it is a necessary quality in anyone responsible for the lives of others, and certainly in a Commander in Chief.
It is an instinct because it goes beyond rational analysis. Someone who has it in abundance knows when it is time to allow subordinates to make decisions and when they must take control. Someone with the instinct can differentiate between truly dangerous, and merely uncomfortable circumstances. They know what is in their control to influence and they act on that knowledge.
A general with this instinct to lead prepares for the enemy to the best of his ability. When facing a formidable enemy, he would not hesitate for a minute in removing from command any subordinate officer who was not up to the task at hand. This would be the rational decision in the best interest of the soldiers and in the best interest of completing the mission.
Decisiveness and the automatic response of moving towards the action are other hallmarks of this instinct. In dire circumstances, a leader who has this drive to lead, is a comfort to his people and a warning to all enemies.
By these criteria, George W. Bush has failed this nation egregiously.
These are dangerous and unstable times. It is not sufficient to wage wars of choice. We must shore up our physical and security infrastructure and prepare for obvious threats.
But this nation must also respond forcefully when the battle is brought to our shores, whether that is by terrorists or the terror of nature run wild. Hesitation in these circumstances means death. The body count and the number of missing coming from the Gulf Coast emphasize this reality.
And we miust not forget that in a time of great national emergency, the Commander in Chief of this land was far from the front lines.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
DENIAL
In counseling individuals with addictions, the concept and reality of denial must always be taken into consideration. As most experienced therapists would agree denial is by no means a universally negative phenomenon. There are times when it is wholly appropriate and indeed necessary for an individual to be in a state of denial. Extreme trauma or loss are examples of this. At these times denial allows for psychological and emotional re-orientations to take place that will allow the individual to directly face his new and radically different life circumstances.
It is also true that prolonged denial can be costly in terms of growth and mental health. These concepts apply equally to the growth and mental health of a country. To presuppose that a country can have "mental health" is to assume that a country in fact has a mind. As odd as this might sound it is a useful concept. There are numerous examples of countries and cultures that can be said to have "lost their minds" at various points in their histories. Countries forget their histories. Countries hope and dream. And countries sometimes deny reality because that reality is too terrible to look at.
The United States of America is a country in denial about many things these days. It isn't really important to go into the specifics. What is more important is to recognize that this level of denial is no longer helpful. We are at the point in this country where denial causes death and destruction. It is also important to note that denial of obvious realities is running rampant in our highest elected officials and in the corporate and government controlled media.
As the disconnect between the actual reality and the reported reality becomes greater, cracks begin to form in the facade that has been presented and truth emerges here and there. Such openings will only embolden those seeking to control consensus reality to redouble their efforts. This will result in an increasingly surreal situation. Many will maintain or increase their level of denial in order to stave off anxiety and panic. Believing that if they only trust in what they are being told - all will be well. That doesn't work with individuals and it doesn't work on a societal level either.
It is always difficult to let go - of a loved one, a tradition, youth, a belief. But letting go is sometimes the only way to survive and grow even though it feels like a death. It may be that the most important thing to let go of now for this country is denial. Its the denial that wants to say "Everything is basically ok." Because the reality is, it isn't.
It is also true that prolonged denial can be costly in terms of growth and mental health. These concepts apply equally to the growth and mental health of a country. To presuppose that a country can have "mental health" is to assume that a country in fact has a mind. As odd as this might sound it is a useful concept. There are numerous examples of countries and cultures that can be said to have "lost their minds" at various points in their histories. Countries forget their histories. Countries hope and dream. And countries sometimes deny reality because that reality is too terrible to look at.
The United States of America is a country in denial about many things these days. It isn't really important to go into the specifics. What is more important is to recognize that this level of denial is no longer helpful. We are at the point in this country where denial causes death and destruction. It is also important to note that denial of obvious realities is running rampant in our highest elected officials and in the corporate and government controlled media.
As the disconnect between the actual reality and the reported reality becomes greater, cracks begin to form in the facade that has been presented and truth emerges here and there. Such openings will only embolden those seeking to control consensus reality to redouble their efforts. This will result in an increasingly surreal situation. Many will maintain or increase their level of denial in order to stave off anxiety and panic. Believing that if they only trust in what they are being told - all will be well. That doesn't work with individuals and it doesn't work on a societal level either.
It is always difficult to let go - of a loved one, a tradition, youth, a belief. But letting go is sometimes the only way to survive and grow even though it feels like a death. It may be that the most important thing to let go of now for this country is denial. Its the denial that wants to say "Everything is basically ok." Because the reality is, it isn't.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
THE LURE OF FANATICISM
It has been said, often with some degree of chagrin, that there are similarities between fanatics of the east and fanatics of the west. Though this is an uncomfortable notion to entertain for either side it is well worth examining for everyone's sake. To even the most casual student of world affairs certain facts become readily apparent. For instance, as much as the United States and its current Neocon administration would like to portray Islamic fundamentalists as wholly "other" in philosophy and morality, this hardly holds up to any careful scrutiny. Both have agendas that include some form of world hegemony. Both have demonstrated a comfort with violence as a means to meet their goals. Both have engaged in torture. Both have refused to modify their basic ideologies in the face of opprobrium from the world community. Both are bent on the other's destruction.
The world today is experiencing a most severe case of culture shock. The distances that allowed individuals and cultures to pursue their own courses unimpeded have disappeared. That combined with competition for limited resources will only exacerbate tensions.
It is interesting to note the parallel trends of increasing democratization and the rise (or perhaps resurfacing) of fascist ideologies (religious pr political) and governing practices. For example, as access to information has increased via the Internet, the U.S. has witnessed the decline and corporatization of the mainstream media. As capital and business operations have been dispersed to the second and third worlds, nuclear technology and the military might to support and entrench dictatorships has as well. In the U.K. and U.S., those bastions of democracy, fears of terror have led to vast programs of domestic surveillance.
History has shown time and time again that cultures, religions, political and economic philosophies emerge, thrive and then die when circumstances outpace their abilities to adapt. It is this very real possibility of extinction that, I believe, drives all versions of fundamentalism and the resultant fanaticism that we see today. The Islamic fundamentalist vs. Neocon ideological battle is only one manifestation of this. There are many others.
But in both Muslim countries and the U.S. it is a relatively small number of individuals who carry a fundamentalist orientation towards the world and a fundamentalist approach to geopolitical problems, although thanks to recent U.S. military and foreign policy those numbers have swollen in followers of Islam. It is also true that this small group, wherever they arise, have a strong will to obtain power and control. Given that such individuals seem to have such an inordinate influence on the world stage, I believe it is of central importance to ask: why do some individuals adopt this more fundamentalist (and fanatical) approach to life and others do not?
I believe the simple and most direct answer is that such philosophies allay fears and reduce anxiety. It is comforting for human beings to have an overarching political or religious belief structure. It is even more comforting (for some) when that belief structure clearly identifies who is right and who is wrong, who is good and who is bad, what works and what doesn't. And let us not forget the aphrodisiac qualities of power and the confidence that comes from having all the answers. It doesn't really matter whether facts and reality correspond with these strongly held beliefs (i.e. the Bush administration and Iraq).
The fundamentalist view, wherever it arises, holds up this shining hope to true believers: We can make the world over into our image. Those who don't believe can be eliminated or converted. All you need to do is to trust the leaders and "keep the faith". This formulation is very appealing to many. It becomes more appealing as conflict between groups increases (or is fomented). But no matter what manipulations are undertaken to create fear and thus compliance there will always be those who will see it for what it is and who will resist.
It is true that sometimes fundamentalist/fascist/fanatic ideologies can "win" for a while. They can rise and predominate. But it is also true, as was demonstrated in that cautionary tale Jurassic Park, that "Life will find a way." People, cultures, and humanity itself are by nature designed to grow and evolve. Anything - any belief, religion, economic or political philosophy - that seeks to maintain power and control or that impedes this natural process is, I believe destined to fail. As is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." The questions of which beliefs to hold onto, which to let go of and which new beliefs to embrace are central to all of humanity at this time. Such decisions must not be made out of fear, fantasy or fanaticism. Rather they must be based on a clear view of reality combined with an openeness to change and a fundamental faith that there is a better future that the entire world can create - together.
The world today is experiencing a most severe case of culture shock. The distances that allowed individuals and cultures to pursue their own courses unimpeded have disappeared. That combined with competition for limited resources will only exacerbate tensions.
It is interesting to note the parallel trends of increasing democratization and the rise (or perhaps resurfacing) of fascist ideologies (religious pr political) and governing practices. For example, as access to information has increased via the Internet, the U.S. has witnessed the decline and corporatization of the mainstream media. As capital and business operations have been dispersed to the second and third worlds, nuclear technology and the military might to support and entrench dictatorships has as well. In the U.K. and U.S., those bastions of democracy, fears of terror have led to vast programs of domestic surveillance.
History has shown time and time again that cultures, religions, political and economic philosophies emerge, thrive and then die when circumstances outpace their abilities to adapt. It is this very real possibility of extinction that, I believe, drives all versions of fundamentalism and the resultant fanaticism that we see today. The Islamic fundamentalist vs. Neocon ideological battle is only one manifestation of this. There are many others.
But in both Muslim countries and the U.S. it is a relatively small number of individuals who carry a fundamentalist orientation towards the world and a fundamentalist approach to geopolitical problems, although thanks to recent U.S. military and foreign policy those numbers have swollen in followers of Islam. It is also true that this small group, wherever they arise, have a strong will to obtain power and control. Given that such individuals seem to have such an inordinate influence on the world stage, I believe it is of central importance to ask: why do some individuals adopt this more fundamentalist (and fanatical) approach to life and others do not?
I believe the simple and most direct answer is that such philosophies allay fears and reduce anxiety. It is comforting for human beings to have an overarching political or religious belief structure. It is even more comforting (for some) when that belief structure clearly identifies who is right and who is wrong, who is good and who is bad, what works and what doesn't. And let us not forget the aphrodisiac qualities of power and the confidence that comes from having all the answers. It doesn't really matter whether facts and reality correspond with these strongly held beliefs (i.e. the Bush administration and Iraq).
The fundamentalist view, wherever it arises, holds up this shining hope to true believers: We can make the world over into our image. Those who don't believe can be eliminated or converted. All you need to do is to trust the leaders and "keep the faith". This formulation is very appealing to many. It becomes more appealing as conflict between groups increases (or is fomented). But no matter what manipulations are undertaken to create fear and thus compliance there will always be those who will see it for what it is and who will resist.
It is true that sometimes fundamentalist/fascist/fanatic ideologies can "win" for a while. They can rise and predominate. But it is also true, as was demonstrated in that cautionary tale Jurassic Park, that "Life will find a way." People, cultures, and humanity itself are by nature designed to grow and evolve. Anything - any belief, religion, economic or political philosophy - that seeks to maintain power and control or that impedes this natural process is, I believe destined to fail. As is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." The questions of which beliefs to hold onto, which to let go of and which new beliefs to embrace are central to all of humanity at this time. Such decisions must not be made out of fear, fantasy or fanaticism. Rather they must be based on a clear view of reality combined with an openeness to change and a fundamental faith that there is a better future that the entire world can create - together.
Friday, March 17, 2006
FEELS DICEY OUT THERE
Here is my read: things can't go on like this much longer. There just seems to be this feeling in the culture like something HAS TO CHANGE. I have no idea what it is that will change or how serious it might be but it really reminds me of when I was a senior in high school and I could not wait to get the hell out of there.
The other thing I'm noticing lately is the surreal nature of what is ocurring at all levels of American society. It's as if as if the entire culture is becoming either Las Vegas or one of those "superchurches" and in many cases some amalgam of both at the same time! America is becoming more bizarre by the minute.
Now that I think of it the Republican Congress does seem like some church group that decided to go to Vegas to testify and evangelize with heathens (I think for them that would be liberals) and wound up spending tons of money, drugging and whoring instead. I'm speaking metaphorically of course (except for the spending lots of money part).
The other thing I'm noticing lately is the surreal nature of what is ocurring at all levels of American society. It's as if as if the entire culture is becoming either Las Vegas or one of those "superchurches" and in many cases some amalgam of both at the same time! America is becoming more bizarre by the minute.
Now that I think of it the Republican Congress does seem like some church group that decided to go to Vegas to testify and evangelize with heathens (I think for them that would be liberals) and wound up spending tons of money, drugging and whoring instead. I'm speaking metaphorically of course (except for the spending lots of money part).
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