Thursday, November 18, 2004
The Slow Erosion of the Distinction Between Terrorists and Bush Opponents
You saw it start to happen in the run-up to the election: Kerry supporters being declaired unpatriotic, or "lending support to terrorism," etc.
Now, under the name of terrorist alerts, the innauguration will be a maximum security fortress designed to keep out protesters:
Protesters Don't Feel the Love in D.C.
Slowly, we will start to see the distinction erode even further. Protesters won't just be lending support to terrorist, they will be terrorists. After all, the real terrorists don't seem to be doing much of a job creating terror these days. We need to keep creating terrorists at home in order to fuel the military mentality. So why not turn the 54 million Kerry voters into terrorists?
Now, under the name of terrorist alerts, the innauguration will be a maximum security fortress designed to keep out protesters:
Protesters Don't Feel the Love in D.C.
Slowly, we will start to see the distinction erode even further. Protesters won't just be lending support to terrorist, they will be terrorists. After all, the real terrorists don't seem to be doing much of a job creating terror these days. We need to keep creating terrorists at home in order to fuel the military mentality. So why not turn the 54 million Kerry voters into terrorists?
Seceed? Not Yet....
Did the South have the right idea?
Go Here or here or many other places on the web and you can read about blue-state sucession.
Here are the best points being raised about this:
1. Blue states pay into the federal government and red states are like "welfare recipients" in relation to that.
2. The results of the last two elections seem to be reversing the old positions of Democrats and Republicans. Democrats, who favored a strong central government, are beginning to see the advantage of a lose confederacy of states rights. While Republicans have largely given up on states rights and now see a Federal government as their best means of imposing their values on the rest of us.
3. These positions were reversed in the past because it was the Federal government who helped out the poorer "red" states, making these souther, poorer states the home of the Democratic party. Now, Democrats are beginning to wonder if they should give up the ideals of Federal entitlements, which go more to the "red" states whose values they deplore.
4. Finally, many have pointed out that this disparity is really much more a cultural disparity of urban versus non/urban than state versus state.
Here's my take:
This is definitely a culture war. Who started the war, liberals or right-wingers? My feeling is that this war has been strategically fueled by the Bush Administration, which benefits by dividing America and driving wedges. Right-wingers have picked up on this animus and lefties are starting to feel as tarred and feathered as homos.
I don't see anything that would reduce this trend. The trend helps solidy Republican hold on power. It also energies the opposition and helps to solidify lefty straight people behind the values (such as gay rights and abortion rights) that the righties want to legislate away.
So, while cesession is a nice pipe-dream of the left, I do think the dream contains and portents a powerful counter-reaction that we could see over the next few years as a result of the culture wars. The Bush Administration and Republicans have been largely throwing away states rights and federalism as they cement their hold on power. Just read Andrew Sullivan's blog to see "old school" Republicans bemoaning this fact. Interestingly, I think that you might now see Democrats drift in the logically opposite course, and begin embracing states rights. With that, you might also see Democrats, who already have a better handle on economic issues, also start to be the ones dismantling the Federal Entitlement state. If we so disagree with foreign and domestic policy, why not start handing more of this back to the states?
Of course, states are never going to fund a national military, but why not make military recruitement an issue more decided at the state level? Why not give state block grants based on population and let states manage entitlemenst like Social Security and medical care?
Republicans will fight this tooth and nail, of course, and with their majority hold, Federalism is likely to be reduced, not increased. But over the next few years, state versus government rights will be coming to a head, as the Federal government tries to strip states of things it doesn't like: medical marijuana, gay rights, stem cell research. This will provoke even further reaction from voters in California, New England, Illinois, who will vote for more and more local liberal values, and shift their fights from the federal level to the state level (pausing to fight on the Federal level whenever a state right is being threatened to be taken away).
If Republicans win again in 2008 with a social conservative agenda, if states lose several key rights to federal amendments (federally overturning gay marriage in Massechusettes, say, or arresting stem cell researchers in California), you can bet then that secession talk will turn from wistful to serious.
Then the question becomes, can our coastal cities really extract themselves from the rule of the Federal government? It will be an interesting development to watch. With so much animosity coming from the right, they might just as well be happy to see the cities go. And we'd be happy to get these country bumpkins off our airwaves and out of the papers, and we can set up an underground railroad for gay kids in Oklahoma to escape when they turn 18. If there were some serious leaders who could rally the blue frustrations in the cities, you could see real riots and demonstrations. For instance - what about a mass gay wedding demonstration in New York in which New York officials refused to recognize the new Federal Amendment? What about Californians defying orders to arrest stem cell researchers? Now that we have all been demonized by the right, there would definitely be back-up from all walks of blue America.
Red America would still control the military and there would, of course, have to be military put-downs and civilian casualties. I think that Federal America would certainly retain control - sucession just isn't a real possibility. But this would energize the movement further. It would be, in fact, a real civil war. Not over sucession, but over resources and access. After all, if the military moved into San Francisco to round up scientists and homos, do you think San Franciscans would after that say, "okay, goodbye?" I think the resulting chaos in all of the major urban centers - which after all contribute the money to the Federal government - would not result in cesession, but in governmental collapse. The red debt would be too great. The blue cities would convince Asian governments to pull their funds. The dollar would plunge to nothing. The government would be bankrupt.
No more money to support the Red military, feed the red poor, or build red highways. Of course, a national depression would hurt cities as well as the country.
But with a depression and Federal collapse, the blue cities would finally have the opportunity to retake or remake the country. Areas like New Jersey, California, New England would still be economically viable. Here is the key: with a collapse of the Federal government, the blue states WOULD have the opportunity to conduct their own foreign policy and stake out their own trade with the rest of the civilized world.
And after years of abuse from the reds, they would probably think that this time, leave those red-neck states behind. We would create "Chapter 11 America" - the post-bankrupt America, where this time, city-states like New England and West Coastline would re-emerge, create a new tax code that leaves the money and resources with them, and be able to write their own, new constitution.
Go Here or here or many other places on the web and you can read about blue-state sucession.
Here are the best points being raised about this:
1. Blue states pay into the federal government and red states are like "welfare recipients" in relation to that.
2. The results of the last two elections seem to be reversing the old positions of Democrats and Republicans. Democrats, who favored a strong central government, are beginning to see the advantage of a lose confederacy of states rights. While Republicans have largely given up on states rights and now see a Federal government as their best means of imposing their values on the rest of us.
3. These positions were reversed in the past because it was the Federal government who helped out the poorer "red" states, making these souther, poorer states the home of the Democratic party. Now, Democrats are beginning to wonder if they should give up the ideals of Federal entitlements, which go more to the "red" states whose values they deplore.
4. Finally, many have pointed out that this disparity is really much more a cultural disparity of urban versus non/urban than state versus state.
Here's my take:
This is definitely a culture war. Who started the war, liberals or right-wingers? My feeling is that this war has been strategically fueled by the Bush Administration, which benefits by dividing America and driving wedges. Right-wingers have picked up on this animus and lefties are starting to feel as tarred and feathered as homos.
I don't see anything that would reduce this trend. The trend helps solidy Republican hold on power. It also energies the opposition and helps to solidify lefty straight people behind the values (such as gay rights and abortion rights) that the righties want to legislate away.
So, while cesession is a nice pipe-dream of the left, I do think the dream contains and portents a powerful counter-reaction that we could see over the next few years as a result of the culture wars. The Bush Administration and Republicans have been largely throwing away states rights and federalism as they cement their hold on power. Just read Andrew Sullivan's blog to see "old school" Republicans bemoaning this fact. Interestingly, I think that you might now see Democrats drift in the logically opposite course, and begin embracing states rights. With that, you might also see Democrats, who already have a better handle on economic issues, also start to be the ones dismantling the Federal Entitlement state. If we so disagree with foreign and domestic policy, why not start handing more of this back to the states?
Of course, states are never going to fund a national military, but why not make military recruitement an issue more decided at the state level? Why not give state block grants based on population and let states manage entitlemenst like Social Security and medical care?
Republicans will fight this tooth and nail, of course, and with their majority hold, Federalism is likely to be reduced, not increased. But over the next few years, state versus government rights will be coming to a head, as the Federal government tries to strip states of things it doesn't like: medical marijuana, gay rights, stem cell research. This will provoke even further reaction from voters in California, New England, Illinois, who will vote for more and more local liberal values, and shift their fights from the federal level to the state level (pausing to fight on the Federal level whenever a state right is being threatened to be taken away).
If Republicans win again in 2008 with a social conservative agenda, if states lose several key rights to federal amendments (federally overturning gay marriage in Massechusettes, say, or arresting stem cell researchers in California), you can bet then that secession talk will turn from wistful to serious.
Then the question becomes, can our coastal cities really extract themselves from the rule of the Federal government? It will be an interesting development to watch. With so much animosity coming from the right, they might just as well be happy to see the cities go. And we'd be happy to get these country bumpkins off our airwaves and out of the papers, and we can set up an underground railroad for gay kids in Oklahoma to escape when they turn 18. If there were some serious leaders who could rally the blue frustrations in the cities, you could see real riots and demonstrations. For instance - what about a mass gay wedding demonstration in New York in which New York officials refused to recognize the new Federal Amendment? What about Californians defying orders to arrest stem cell researchers? Now that we have all been demonized by the right, there would definitely be back-up from all walks of blue America.
Red America would still control the military and there would, of course, have to be military put-downs and civilian casualties. I think that Federal America would certainly retain control - sucession just isn't a real possibility. But this would energize the movement further. It would be, in fact, a real civil war. Not over sucession, but over resources and access. After all, if the military moved into San Francisco to round up scientists and homos, do you think San Franciscans would after that say, "okay, goodbye?" I think the resulting chaos in all of the major urban centers - which after all contribute the money to the Federal government - would not result in cesession, but in governmental collapse. The red debt would be too great. The blue cities would convince Asian governments to pull their funds. The dollar would plunge to nothing. The government would be bankrupt.
No more money to support the Red military, feed the red poor, or build red highways. Of course, a national depression would hurt cities as well as the country.
But with a depression and Federal collapse, the blue cities would finally have the opportunity to retake or remake the country. Areas like New Jersey, California, New England would still be economically viable. Here is the key: with a collapse of the Federal government, the blue states WOULD have the opportunity to conduct their own foreign policy and stake out their own trade with the rest of the civilized world.
And after years of abuse from the reds, they would probably think that this time, leave those red-neck states behind. We would create "Chapter 11 America" - the post-bankrupt America, where this time, city-states like New England and West Coastline would re-emerge, create a new tax code that leaves the money and resources with them, and be able to write their own, new constitution.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Censoring Private Ryan
It's starting:
TV stations canceling 'Ryan' telecast
FCC concerns and station managers concerns about new conservative Senators and the "values voter." My hometown station in Columbus, Ohio won't air the telecast.
I think this is the biggest loss, or the saddest thing about the election. I'm pretty sure that we won't have Kristalnacht in New Jersey. I do fear for the safety of gays and lesbians living in the midwest. But more than anything, I mourn the loss of our culture, what I think has been an outstanding, entertaining, creative fin-de-siecle culture.
This morning I was listening to New Order's Republic. What a great album. And watching a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode from 1994. Such nostalgia! What a time, when we had no worries, when we could enjoy being really creative. When I started my own company - when the economy was booming and we had no worries about finding a job. When working was fun because work would change the world. Technology was neat. Saving Private Ryan was stunningly creative cinematography. No one cared about a "fuck" and no one was worried about real Armaggedon.
Little did I realize that ten years later, I would be looking back on the '90's as the heyday of America. Sad. Sad. Sad.
TV stations canceling 'Ryan' telecast
FCC concerns and station managers concerns about new conservative Senators and the "values voter." My hometown station in Columbus, Ohio won't air the telecast.
I think this is the biggest loss, or the saddest thing about the election. I'm pretty sure that we won't have Kristalnacht in New Jersey. I do fear for the safety of gays and lesbians living in the midwest. But more than anything, I mourn the loss of our culture, what I think has been an outstanding, entertaining, creative fin-de-siecle culture.
This morning I was listening to New Order's Republic. What a great album. And watching a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode from 1994. Such nostalgia! What a time, when we had no worries, when we could enjoy being really creative. When I started my own company - when the economy was booming and we had no worries about finding a job. When working was fun because work would change the world. Technology was neat. Saving Private Ryan was stunningly creative cinematography. No one cared about a "fuck" and no one was worried about real Armaggedon.
Little did I realize that ten years later, I would be looking back on the '90's as the heyday of America. Sad. Sad. Sad.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
What Now?
What next? Here are some suggestions:
1. Build your bomb shelter. Stock it with canned goods, water, and lube.
2. Start a "seceed from the U.S." movement in your state.
3. Head for the nearest Al Queda training camp.
4. Learn to speak French and start telling people you aren't really from this country.
5. I hear that the underground railroad to Canada is already up and operational.
6. Stop paying social security taxes and invest in pharmaceutical companies and Halliburton.
7. Buy a gun and take a marksmanship class.
8. Take a cue from Isreal: Start building the fortress wall that stretches from D.C., up the allegheney and then over to Lake Eerie. A west coast wall from Nogales to Vancouver.
9. Stop crying, buy a kerchief and baret, and devote all your time to a political action movement.
10. Destroy all your TVs, stereos, computer equipment, stop blogging, stop voting, and drop out of the economy.
1. Build your bomb shelter. Stock it with canned goods, water, and lube.
2. Start a "seceed from the U.S." movement in your state.
3. Head for the nearest Al Queda training camp.
4. Learn to speak French and start telling people you aren't really from this country.
5. I hear that the underground railroad to Canada is already up and operational.
6. Stop paying social security taxes and invest in pharmaceutical companies and Halliburton.
7. Buy a gun and take a marksmanship class.
8. Take a cue from Isreal: Start building the fortress wall that stretches from D.C., up the allegheney and then over to Lake Eerie. A west coast wall from Nogales to Vancouver.
9. Stop crying, buy a kerchief and baret, and devote all your time to a political action movement.
10. Destroy all your TVs, stereos, computer equipment, stop blogging, stop voting, and drop out of the economy.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Mourner's Kaddish
Anyone know of any Kaddish being said for this country? I'd like to attend.
Moody Blues
Interestingly, my mood right now is so different from 2000. In 2000, I was angry, maybe a little scared. Today, it is severe depression. There is no anger. Maybe a little anger at the lame state-based gay rights movements, who couldn't even muster a single TV ad except in Oregon. Maybe a little anger at Democrat strategic misjudgements, such as at the convention, but not much, because overall they ran a good campaign (just not as good as Rove).
So we will have four more years of Bush raping the environment, illogical war in the middle east, unsecurity and terrorism and fear at home, skyrocketing deficits, the failure of social security, and all of that. At this point, I don't even care so much. The country will go down the toilet...the world will disolve into factionalism....the environment deteriorate. So let them flush it, if that's what they want. To hell with it.
I think two things are leading me to this depression: Bush winning the popular vote. And the sweeping passage of anti-gay amendments. This shows me that Rove was astute: the gay-baiting strategy has worked. Appeal to prejudice and ignorance, and you can drive people to the polls, and get your man elected even after he's flubbed an unpopular war.
That's probably why I'm so depressed. I feel like I've been personally slapped in the face by this country. They are basically saying that they detest gay people more than they care about human rights abuses in Abu Ghraib, the deterioration of their own economy, or saving the environment. It is that kind of hate that I find depressing. I feel like I'm now living in Iran.
So we will have four more years of Bush raping the environment, illogical war in the middle east, unsecurity and terrorism and fear at home, skyrocketing deficits, the failure of social security, and all of that. At this point, I don't even care so much. The country will go down the toilet...the world will disolve into factionalism....the environment deteriorate. So let them flush it, if that's what they want. To hell with it.
I think two things are leading me to this depression: Bush winning the popular vote. And the sweeping passage of anti-gay amendments. This shows me that Rove was astute: the gay-baiting strategy has worked. Appeal to prejudice and ignorance, and you can drive people to the polls, and get your man elected even after he's flubbed an unpopular war.
That's probably why I'm so depressed. I feel like I've been personally slapped in the face by this country. They are basically saying that they detest gay people more than they care about human rights abuses in Abu Ghraib, the deterioration of their own economy, or saving the environment. It is that kind of hate that I find depressing. I feel like I'm now living in Iran.
Round on the Ends and Low in the Middle
Well, Ohio is Kerry's last stand...but his fate looks all but sealed to me.
Four more years of Little Evil Bush. Tune in to this blog for the real questions:
Will Bush get Littler?
Will Bush get Eviler?
I already hear the Panzers rumbling outside the door.
I can hardly wait.... ;-)
Four more years of Little Evil Bush. Tune in to this blog for the real questions:
Will Bush get Littler?
Will Bush get Eviler?
I already hear the Panzers rumbling outside the door.
I can hardly wait.... ;-)
Monday, November 01, 2004
Gay Poseurs
Republicans are posing as gay rights activists to deceive voters in Florida and Michigan.
But voters aren't deceived. These people just make the Republican party look bad.
Steven Elliot has called this "Where Evil Meets Stupid." http://www.stephenelliott.com/
I love that phrase. That pretty much sums up the last four years.
Joshuah Bearman: How They Do, Part III
But voters aren't deceived. These people just make the Republican party look bad.
Steven Elliot has called this "Where Evil Meets Stupid." http://www.stephenelliott.com/
I love that phrase. That pretty much sums up the last four years.
Joshuah Bearman: How They Do, Part III
The Final Hours
I'm feeling good. Most polls paint a down-to-the-wire finish, but I'm increasingly having faith that Kerry is going to pull it out. Looks like Ohio and Florida are going for him. Despite the polls, I don't think Penn and Minnesota are going to tip Bush, but anything is possible. Though I believe the dictum that no Republican President can win without Ohio.
I believe we could be seeing the final hours of the Evil Bush Presidency. If Kerry wins....then this blog is likely over.
If not, there's renewed life for another four years. But I'm getting a little bit tired of this theme - as I'm sure most of you are, as well.
GOOD LUCK TO THE FORCES OF LIGHT!
I believe we could be seeing the final hours of the Evil Bush Presidency. If Kerry wins....then this blog is likely over.
If not, there's renewed life for another four years. But I'm getting a little bit tired of this theme - as I'm sure most of you are, as well.
GOOD LUCK TO THE FORCES OF LIGHT!
