You will never lose me — I’m just often (unforgivably) late.

This is exactly the kind of post I love from you.
maggie, dammit´s last blog ..And the wall comes crumbling down

Rassles – That’s a pretty negative attitude, man. I don’t know. I don’t think all of those things are necessary. I certainly hope not.

Blues – That bipolar morality is what drives me nuts. American politics would be vastly improved with much more grey area – a legitimate third party for example, but I don’t think it is ever going to happen.

Joe – Gun control is THE issue. It’s retarded, this religious obsession with the constitution. A lot of people worshipit and can conveniently forget that the constitution allowed slavery and forbade women to vote. We’ve moved on from that, why can’t we move on from this bullshit militia clause?

Ms Picket – What do you mean by that last line? Internationally? What about multiple genocides in Africa that we’ve ignored? Domestically? I don’t know what you’re getting at. Liberty. Fuck liberty. Most people don’t even know what it means.

Heather – You’re even harsher than me!

Suzer – Agreed, and I’m still working on that one as well.

Mongola – You hit it dead on. Everything that our government does has corporations in mind. Can’t make legitimate health care changes because it might hurt the insurance companies. Can’t pass real gun control legislation because it might hurt gun manufacturers.

Chris – I’m just not sure that electing Obama equals any real change. Every day he does, or doesn’t do, something that makes me realize that we’re just not going to get the changes that we need.

Nathan – Fair point. How about this: Due to agricultural subsidies, the U.S. has a glut of corn. To avoid letting it rot in silos we make oceans of ethanol that is a less efficient fuel than oil and seas of high fructose corn syrup to poison our kids.

Better?

Gwen – That perception of powerlessness is probably pretty accurate. And you’re right, I was probably a bit harsh. But I get pissed off and I go.

Jill – I don’t know. Maybe I’ve reached grumpy old man age, but I think things are going in the other direction.

SSG – I don’t know the answer. But I do know that you’re right about Britain. I think if anyone has worse problems than the U.S. does it would be Britain.

Ruth – I’ve lost my optimism, I’m afraid.

I would like to live in a world where media consumers are a lot more inclined to ask questions – to question authority, if you will – and not just take what they see on television as the whole truth. The right wing media, and their opposite numbers on the left, all have a role to play. It’s up to us to not swallow it all without chewing it a few times. That’s all I ask – that people exercise their judgment a little better, and not believe all the bullshit simply because that’s the easiest thing to do.
Trish´s last blog ..I love surprises.

A couple of years ago I was ready to leave the states forever. Now, I am glad I stayed. Things are changing. Incrementally but steadily…. I am feeling a bit more optimistic for a number of reasons – possibly just because I am old and have a good memory.

Of course, it could all just go kerflooey at any moment but I am starting to believe MLK may have had a point about that old arc of history. It doesn’t move fast but it moves.

ruths last blog post..I feel this strong need…..

SSGs last blog post..One more sleep…

I dunno…if the facts in your post are correct, I’m thinking the foot isn’t exactly where we’re shooting ourselves.

I’m not sure about the whole myth of American thing. Sometimes I feel that way and sometimes not. Maybe things swing back and I think sometimes maybe the whole recession thing will give us back some perspective – remind us that every last 11 year old does not need an expensive cell phone or whatever and that the Hummer was never a good idea in the first place. Then sometimes I think maybe the world only is going to hell in a hand basket. Maybe it always has been on it’s way. Or maybe we’re only improving. Certainly in some ways we’re improving all the time.

Love that Steve Earle album!

Gwen – On the guilt: I think you can only do what you can do. To a certain extent, we’re all humans and all responsible. And yet in anther way what could you personally have done? You will be able to do something good with your life, and that’s about it. You’ll be able to do more at some points in your life than You’ll have more and less time and money and energy at different points of your life to devote to those things about which you feel strongly. It’s a balance somehow to feel and act without eating yourself alive with guilt in the process. Not that I’ve *found* the balance by any means, mind you.

Jill/Twipply Skwoods last blog post..Everything is Coming Up Dried Out Contact Lenses

Gwens last blog post..Ballerina Girl

Tom Junod(who’s writing I love)wrote a great piece on American assent and how it made things the way they are–it’s fantastic.

http://www.esquire.com/features/opening-essay/look-back-at-bush-0209

Also, if you haven’t read it already, go read the release for Obama’s speech in Cairo, I at least was overwhelmed at his grasp of the current issues we face and his no nonsense stating of the facts.

I’m glad you didn’t forgo publishing this, I think this is an important part of not assenting, not allowing things to happen around us with no involvement. Writing may not seem as committed as protesting but it has the ability to change people’s minds, disseminate ideas and convince others to act and vote on their beliefs because they know they are not alone.

chriss last blog post..Goodbye Thirty Five, Hello Thirty Six