here's hoping that the limbaugh dittoheads who plan on politicizing a kid's holiday get egged or papered :)
as for us, we have had 3 so far and if we get one more we'll tie for last year- trick or treaters that is.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
needing some relief
i need some sunny skies. this has been one of the grayest, wettest seasons in upstate new york we have had. over the past 5 years, we have had multiple floods and ruined crops. i think i may just have a nervous breakdown soon if we don't get some relief from the incessant rain. the chill gets into your bones and you just can't get warm no matter how much tea you drink.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
comfort food
mmmm... having some oatmeal. i am currently having one of those days where you can't hold yourself in check- you know where you wear your heart on your sleeve and can't help it? hyper emotional between the weather and life and having been sick and pms- yep. so, having some comfort food. today is not a day that i can feel callous or hardened to the world so i am staying in. moved on over to reading robert frost- he's also a comfort food :) for my mind.
brandi carlile- enjoy
the story
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true...I was made for you
I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you
Because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you
You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what
I've been through like you do
And I was made for you...
All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true...I was made for you
stirring up trouble again
over at the sirens if you are interested
i titled the post 'heads out of asses people' just to pique your curiousity ;)
oh- and i updated the question of the day post below if you want to continue the discussion
i titled the post 'heads out of asses people' just to pique your curiousity ;)
oh- and i updated the question of the day post below if you want to continue the discussion
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
who knew?
that you could buy ideology? ooh- this opens up a whole can of worms in my mind :) quick! somebody tell the tea baggers....
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
question of the day
when is enough truly enough?
now, that can be taken several ways- but here's where my mind has been going- when is helping others crossing the line into enabling? when do you overstep and instead of building character- you build dependence? i know more than a few families who have a setup this way- helping out the kids even when they are grown with families of their own. i have heard from the lips of a couple of people- 'it isn't the little kids fault and i don't want them to suffer'- um, yes, but that's the life their parents chose for them- and you stepping in and breaching the gap isn't really helping anyone. food, water, shelter, clothing? how much should people give to others- and what constitutes true need?
i was thinking of abandoning blogging because i just don't have politics in me anymore. it doesn't matter to me anymore- but there's something about human nature that nags at me and puzzles me. the one question 'why?' has nagged at me for years and was the biggest reason i went into the business of psychology. biggest reason i got out too because damned if i ever figured it out. you put your hand in fire and get burned- why do you keep putting your hand in the fire? are there really that many masochists in our culture?
oops- that was more than one question :) any answers?
update:
i put this in the comments and then decided to put it out here as it tends to get buried there:
mmmm.... my thought is- you put your hand in the fire once and then you find a different way of doing things :)
to expand on the question- hope is all well and good but you can't continue to be the hamster in the wheel and continue along in the same vein if it's enabling. my thoughts have been more along the lines of parents and grandparents bailing out children and grandchildren time after time...
should you continue to financially support grandchildren if the parents chose a lifestyle where they are unable to provide? should you see that your children and grandchildren have everything that they want so that they don't know want? how long do you support adult children and grandchildren?
i have friends and family in these situations and i am just curious because my thought is- once you are an adult- you have to sink or swim. you get help or a leg up once and then- you change your pattern or you are on your own.
thoughts?
now, that can be taken several ways- but here's where my mind has been going- when is helping others crossing the line into enabling? when do you overstep and instead of building character- you build dependence? i know more than a few families who have a setup this way- helping out the kids even when they are grown with families of their own. i have heard from the lips of a couple of people- 'it isn't the little kids fault and i don't want them to suffer'- um, yes, but that's the life their parents chose for them- and you stepping in and breaching the gap isn't really helping anyone. food, water, shelter, clothing? how much should people give to others- and what constitutes true need?
i was thinking of abandoning blogging because i just don't have politics in me anymore. it doesn't matter to me anymore- but there's something about human nature that nags at me and puzzles me. the one question 'why?' has nagged at me for years and was the biggest reason i went into the business of psychology. biggest reason i got out too because damned if i ever figured it out. you put your hand in fire and get burned- why do you keep putting your hand in the fire? are there really that many masochists in our culture?
oops- that was more than one question :) any answers?
update:
i put this in the comments and then decided to put it out here as it tends to get buried there:
mmmm.... my thought is- you put your hand in the fire once and then you find a different way of doing things :)
to expand on the question- hope is all well and good but you can't continue to be the hamster in the wheel and continue along in the same vein if it's enabling. my thoughts have been more along the lines of parents and grandparents bailing out children and grandchildren time after time...
should you continue to financially support grandchildren if the parents chose a lifestyle where they are unable to provide? should you see that your children and grandchildren have everything that they want so that they don't know want? how long do you support adult children and grandchildren?
i have friends and family in these situations and i am just curious because my thought is- once you are an adult- you have to sink or swim. you get help or a leg up once and then- you change your pattern or you are on your own.
thoughts?
Monday, October 26, 2009
monday monday
mmm.... foggy morning but the sun is shining and i have the house opened to air out. beginning to smell like a hospital in here :) mr. betmo is on the mend and i am feeling fine- fingers crossed. mom is listening to hate media and gathering intel- and here i am. it isn't quite like a chess match- more like checkers at this point- the right trying to hamstring the left and the left not really making the effort to counter.
haven't weighed in on the health care debacle-- i mean debate- because it's a farce. the reason it is taking so long and there has been so much public see sawing with politicians- they are hammering out the final details of their deals with big insurance, big pharma and the ama. seriously. you don't honestly think they give a rat's ass about us? oh, sorry. you do.
as for us 'losing the wars' in afghanistan and iraq- the idea never was to win. it was to make obscene profits via private contractors, shell corporations and outright theft. i mean those folks are expendable anyway right? i mean they aren't white americans.
there is talk afoot that facebook is replacing blogs- and sadly, i see that as the wave of the future too. blogs are too clunky and slow for the twitter generation. i just think it removes one more element of debate. certainly, a social site as large as facebook is a good way to disseminate information quickly to a large number of folks (provided facebook hasn't 'upgraded' recently) but information is quickly buried too under the quick posts of others. unless you are really looking and scrolling- that info is lost. i don't have an answer- but i do know that not everyone is plugged into facebook- so, we are still relevant for the moment.
bloggers are still the watchdogs that our watchdogs used to be. let's keep on our toes.
haven't weighed in on the health care debacle-- i mean debate- because it's a farce. the reason it is taking so long and there has been so much public see sawing with politicians- they are hammering out the final details of their deals with big insurance, big pharma and the ama. seriously. you don't honestly think they give a rat's ass about us? oh, sorry. you do.
as for us 'losing the wars' in afghanistan and iraq- the idea never was to win. it was to make obscene profits via private contractors, shell corporations and outright theft. i mean those folks are expendable anyway right? i mean they aren't white americans.
there is talk afoot that facebook is replacing blogs- and sadly, i see that as the wave of the future too. blogs are too clunky and slow for the twitter generation. i just think it removes one more element of debate. certainly, a social site as large as facebook is a good way to disseminate information quickly to a large number of folks (provided facebook hasn't 'upgraded' recently) but information is quickly buried too under the quick posts of others. unless you are really looking and scrolling- that info is lost. i don't have an answer- but i do know that not everyone is plugged into facebook- so, we are still relevant for the moment.
bloggers are still the watchdogs that our watchdogs used to be. let's keep on our toes.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
folks, we got trouble
right here in river city- must.wean.self.off.from.facebook.games...... i am addicted to yoville and that damned aquarium :) and i have set my schedule while online around the enchanted island game. sigh.....
but i started my crochet again and will be gearing up for the holidays- i have to send packages so they go out earlier than i do holidays usually. i have to say that i don't know that i like facebook overall- it has good parts but combined with twitter- it really doesn't advance real dialogue. it has its uses- and i am grateful for the reconnection to blog buddies who stopped blogging. i do like the connection aspect. so, i am off to the enchanted island and then wordsworth before sleepies :)
but i started my crochet again and will be gearing up for the holidays- i have to send packages so they go out earlier than i do holidays usually. i have to say that i don't know that i like facebook overall- it has good parts but combined with twitter- it really doesn't advance real dialogue. it has its uses- and i am grateful for the reconnection to blog buddies who stopped blogging. i do like the connection aspect. so, i am off to the enchanted island and then wordsworth before sleepies :)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
wtf? moments
i guess i don't understand americans- and i am one. i haven't been horribly political lately because, frankly, i didn't want to be. i thought i would take a quick tool around the newsy sphere just to see what was going down- and what i heard- i mean get real. the limbaugh dittoheads are quite pleased with themselves- and to celebrate their 'brainstorm' they are going to take it out on complete strangers- kids no less. so much for 'family friendly values'. one of limbaugh's assistants came up with the 'obama halloween' where instead of giving out candy- you take candy from the kids and say to them 'it's obama's halloween so i have to take from you to give to someone else.' i guess their panties are in a wad about the ceos of the big bailout corps having to take a paycut.
that coming on top of all of their other shenanigans- i hope they are properly proud of themselves- guess it goes along with their theme of bullying instead of being men and women; instead of the adults they pretend to be.
that coming on top of all of their other shenanigans- i hope they are properly proud of themselves- guess it goes along with their theme of bullying instead of being men and women; instead of the adults they pretend to be.
Friday, October 23, 2009
october reflections
i have spent the last few days in reflection- attempting to parse and catalog feelings, memories and emotions. yeah, that's all :) i really think that our ability to store lifelong memories is one of the traits that makes us uniquely human. many higher cognitive mammals have memories and they have the ability to communicate with sophistication but humans have taken it that one step further.
so, i have been trying to reconcile past, present and future and it's a daunting task. where i am now is being weighed against where i came from and i have been looking towards the future with a bit of trepidation for some time. reconnecting with friends from the past; researching my ancestry; looking at what i have now, and interacting with my family- has been a bit taxing. probably why i got sick and one reason it is lingering.
as i scrolled through my high school choir site and looked at faces that don't match one hundred percent with my memories, it brought home for me that irritating piece of buddhism that i constantly fight- the world and life is in constant change. sigh. chatting with folks i knew well 15 years ago and seeing where their lives took them drove that point home. and here i am- working on contentment within my own life and trying to make a soothing ebb and flow with past and present.
so, life is good but i am still processing how to articulate the synthesis i am experiencing. i suppose i could go all stream of consciousness but i know i have never been a big fan :) so, enjoy the weekend- i will be working on the retro ripple :)
so, i have been trying to reconcile past, present and future and it's a daunting task. where i am now is being weighed against where i came from and i have been looking towards the future with a bit of trepidation for some time. reconnecting with friends from the past; researching my ancestry; looking at what i have now, and interacting with my family- has been a bit taxing. probably why i got sick and one reason it is lingering.
as i scrolled through my high school choir site and looked at faces that don't match one hundred percent with my memories, it brought home for me that irritating piece of buddhism that i constantly fight- the world and life is in constant change. sigh. chatting with folks i knew well 15 years ago and seeing where their lives took them drove that point home. and here i am- working on contentment within my own life and trying to make a soothing ebb and flow with past and present.
so, life is good but i am still processing how to articulate the synthesis i am experiencing. i suppose i could go all stream of consciousness but i know i have never been a big fan :) so, enjoy the weekend- i will be working on the retro ripple :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
technobabble
nothing earth shaking this week- i am on the mend from what has been arguably the worst head cold ever. been thinking a bit about technology- as i have had a mixed bag of experiences with it. i have always marveled at the power of the internet to connect people. many of us progressive bloggers used it effectively to agitate for change in the '06 and '08 elections and there are still activists out there fighting for global human rights for all. the blogs opened up a whole new way to communicate with people in your own neck of the woods- and meet folks from around the globe. exciting to say the least. i have met so many cool people from a variety of nations and many fine americans who have worked for change.
there is no doubt that the blogs have morphed into the social site juggernauts- facebook and myspace. i marvel at the fact that i can find folks i haven't spoken to in years and talk to them in real time via chat or simply give them a 'poke' to let them know i am around. i joined facebook to help promote my online etsy site in order to sell my craft items and in the space of a week, i have connected to folks from my high school years; my college years and beyond... as well as many of my blog buddies. i am still wrapping my mind around that. modern technology has plugged us in and connected us in ways that used to be simply local.
on the other hand, modern conveniences aren't always convenient. while i am chatting with my buddies on facebook, there are folks there mining for information- from homeland security to cyberthieves. computerization has also taken the ease of gathering certain kinds of information away- not all of the world is technosavvy and not every demographic can navigate pressing 800 buttons on a phone in order to get basic information about accounts, etc.. i really cannot imagine my mom attempting to contact social security or the bank- you get routed around to a call center where you have to repeat everthing you just pressed buttons for. it also makes life easier for professional hackers....
so, it's with trepidation that i embrace technology. will it make us more or less human? who knows? but it's here to stay and evolve.
there is no doubt that the blogs have morphed into the social site juggernauts- facebook and myspace. i marvel at the fact that i can find folks i haven't spoken to in years and talk to them in real time via chat or simply give them a 'poke' to let them know i am around. i joined facebook to help promote my online etsy site in order to sell my craft items and in the space of a week, i have connected to folks from my high school years; my college years and beyond... as well as many of my blog buddies. i am still wrapping my mind around that. modern technology has plugged us in and connected us in ways that used to be simply local.
on the other hand, modern conveniences aren't always convenient. while i am chatting with my buddies on facebook, there are folks there mining for information- from homeland security to cyberthieves. computerization has also taken the ease of gathering certain kinds of information away- not all of the world is technosavvy and not every demographic can navigate pressing 800 buttons on a phone in order to get basic information about accounts, etc.. i really cannot imagine my mom attempting to contact social security or the bank- you get routed around to a call center where you have to repeat everthing you just pressed buttons for. it also makes life easier for professional hackers....
so, it's with trepidation that i embrace technology. will it make us more or less human? who knows? but it's here to stay and evolve.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
life's journey indeed
ooh- in full interest of disclosure- i was not a fan of facebook. i still like blogging better but facebook certainly makes private detecting easy- one stop shopping :) yeah- that's tongue-in-cheek because i am still not 100% yet. :) anyhoo, having spent the better part of a week there as i have been sick- as everyone knows ad nauseum- i am taking some time to reflect on my experiences.
first- i love yoville :) mostly because the secret interior designer in me loves to decorate rooms.
second- i have been able to connect with some of my blog buddies over a cuppa at my cafe and chat with some of my live world friends- well, in real time :) i can stay connected in a different way
and third- but not the least- i can take a step back in time. i recently found my old high school choir site and looked at it- lots of familiar names. concert choir wasn't just a choir- we have always been an extended family. kimber billow was our director and he was amazing. he just had a way about him that expected excellence and we tried our best to give it to him. he was a rare mix of approachability and leadership and we loved him- all of us for decades. he retired in 2002 and i have a feeling that the choir members don't have the repoire we all had and apparently, continue to have if the site is any indication. i recognized many familiar names- some the same and some hyphenated with marriage :) of course, that took me back 20 years...
i don't know about anyone else, but the folks i remember look the same in my mind as they did 20 years ago :) myself included. looking at updated photos- or my reflection in the mirror- well, it's like strangers have taken on our names. :) guess my body didn't get the memo that i wanted to look 18 years old forever ;)
first- i love yoville :) mostly because the secret interior designer in me loves to decorate rooms.
second- i have been able to connect with some of my blog buddies over a cuppa at my cafe and chat with some of my live world friends- well, in real time :) i can stay connected in a different way
and third- but not the least- i can take a step back in time. i recently found my old high school choir site and looked at it- lots of familiar names. concert choir wasn't just a choir- we have always been an extended family. kimber billow was our director and he was amazing. he just had a way about him that expected excellence and we tried our best to give it to him. he was a rare mix of approachability and leadership and we loved him- all of us for decades. he retired in 2002 and i have a feeling that the choir members don't have the repoire we all had and apparently, continue to have if the site is any indication. i recognized many familiar names- some the same and some hyphenated with marriage :) of course, that took me back 20 years...
i don't know about anyone else, but the folks i remember look the same in my mind as they did 20 years ago :) myself included. looking at updated photos- or my reflection in the mirror- well, it's like strangers have taken on our names. :) guess my body didn't get the memo that i wanted to look 18 years old forever ;)
Saturday, October 17, 2009
on the mend
unfortunately, we are having damp, rainy weather this weekend that settles right in my irritated sinuses- but i am on the mend. spent the day on facebook tending the cafe and the farms and buying a treehouse in yoville :) no, no- it's not true- i am not obsessed :) i also did dishes and laundry and made myself something to eat- so, i wasn't on the entire day- just most of it. :) will get back in my groove next week- fully mended or not. once you let stuff slide- it's twice as tough to set it to right. anyhoo, perhaps i will have something meaningful or interesting to say at some point. i am reading ancient greek literature right now- and i don't know whether they were just really good writers- or whether human nature has always been the same. adultery, betrayal, greed, hunger for power- sigh. the greek folks could have penned their plays for today's stage.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
life is sucky right now
it is looking like i have the worst head cold ever. i haven't been this miserable for years. i am going to work on writing a post for tomorrow's blog action day and its theme- climate change. it will be up over at sirens'. in the meantime, i will be playing games on facebook- and if you would care to help me out by becoming a member of my yoville crew- it would be greatly appreciated. i need 20 crew members to buy the two story gothic house with the bonus room- and i currently have 4. sigh. thanks in advance and i hope to whoever is out there this virus runs its course soon. my head is killing me.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
autumn is almost here
officially, it has already started but until last night, it seemed hit or miss with the autumn weather. cool weather but not chilly, autumn weather. well, we got our first hard frost last night. we were snug as bugs as i had closed up the house last week or so and had the heat on 60 degrees to take the damp, rainy chill off. plus, mr. betmo and i both needed the vaporizer as my my sinuses have taken a turn for the worst. i am fighting off what he had- and he plied me with orange juice and tea yesterday. :) so, i doubt i will have a full blown cold on top of the sinuses.
i am enjoying playing my cafe and farming on facebook. anytime i get a new game, i tend to play it until the novelty wears off and then i tire of it. for now, i have about half dozen games going so, i should be entertained for quite awhile.
people have asked my opinion on the peace prize- mmmm... i see their reasoning for the nomination and award. no, president obama hasn't had time to do much as he hasn't been in office for a year yet, but the idea and momentum of international diplomacy and nuclear disarmament only comes around under democratic presidents. so, strike while the iron is hot- so to speak. many on the right tout reagan's term as a period of nuclear disarmament- ok. but he also started the stupid star wars shield that obama (hopefully forever) laid to rest and he invaded sovereign countries too small to fight back. obama inherited his wars.
anyhoo, let's hope he takes the peace part of the prize to heart and gets a move on getting out of iraq and afghanistan- and closing the secret prisons. until then, i will continue to sip my morning cuppa and enjoy the sunshine while it's here. i have a feeling this is going to be a cold winter. oh- and i will need to work on cmas cookie recipes and ideas- perhaps when my head isn't so fuzzy....
i am enjoying playing my cafe and farming on facebook. anytime i get a new game, i tend to play it until the novelty wears off and then i tire of it. for now, i have about half dozen games going so, i should be entertained for quite awhile.
people have asked my opinion on the peace prize- mmmm... i see their reasoning for the nomination and award. no, president obama hasn't had time to do much as he hasn't been in office for a year yet, but the idea and momentum of international diplomacy and nuclear disarmament only comes around under democratic presidents. so, strike while the iron is hot- so to speak. many on the right tout reagan's term as a period of nuclear disarmament- ok. but he also started the stupid star wars shield that obama (hopefully forever) laid to rest and he invaded sovereign countries too small to fight back. obama inherited his wars.
anyhoo, let's hope he takes the peace part of the prize to heart and gets a move on getting out of iraq and afghanistan- and closing the secret prisons. until then, i will continue to sip my morning cuppa and enjoy the sunshine while it's here. i have a feeling this is going to be a cold winter. oh- and i will need to work on cmas cookie recipes and ideas- perhaps when my head isn't so fuzzy....
Friday, October 09, 2009
whoo boy!
i had an 'interesting' day today- as i went to my beloved mechanic shop with the car- i guess a link pin? whatever the fuck that is- broke and that's why the car was driving so very shittily. anyhoo, i knew i was in trouble when i walked in and saw a room full of blue haired men. and one lone nerdly looking guy with a backpack and a texting machine (aka cell phone). i'll give you three guesses what they were blathering about- and three more as to which side they were blathering on. look, i generally keep my mouth shut in these situations for the same reason i don't entertain trolls- you can't change a closed heart and mind with rationality and facts. it really is that simple.
so, i sat there and i listened until things got misogynistic. i mean really? really? i am a complete stranger and you are going to sit there and 1) call nancy pelosi ugly and 'a dog' while in the same breath 2) sarah palin is good looking with moxie. that was really the straw for me. seriously. when then nice man sitting next to me assumed for some reason i was right wing and would respond warmly to his 'excuse me while i throw up' remark in response to the obama peace prize thing- oh, boy...
so, this is what i said that brought the room to an awkward silence- i simply told them that the medicare system was 'reformed' in 2003 under a republican congress and that folks are penalized 10% a year more for their medicare premiums for each year over 65 they don't enroll. yep. hey, you want to talk politics and you want to talk smack about the side you aren't on- at least use facts and not body parts to oh, make your point. seriously.
i did agree with the one nice man when he said bush destroyed the republican party- but i very thoughtfully didn't add that it was also neanderthals like the folks in that room. personal responsibility, eh, jeb?
so, i sat there and i listened until things got misogynistic. i mean really? really? i am a complete stranger and you are going to sit there and 1) call nancy pelosi ugly and 'a dog' while in the same breath 2) sarah palin is good looking with moxie. that was really the straw for me. seriously. when then nice man sitting next to me assumed for some reason i was right wing and would respond warmly to his 'excuse me while i throw up' remark in response to the obama peace prize thing- oh, boy...
so, this is what i said that brought the room to an awkward silence- i simply told them that the medicare system was 'reformed' in 2003 under a republican congress and that folks are penalized 10% a year more for their medicare premiums for each year over 65 they don't enroll. yep. hey, you want to talk politics and you want to talk smack about the side you aren't on- at least use facts and not body parts to oh, make your point. seriously.
i did agree with the one nice man when he said bush destroyed the republican party- but i very thoughtfully didn't add that it was also neanderthals like the folks in that room. personal responsibility, eh, jeb?
uh oh
this is going to go over like a lead balloon. not to mention that we are still in iraq and afghanistan.....
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Saturday, October 03, 2009
my poor neglected blog
the blogosphere is looking a bit like a ghost town these days as 'progress' steam rolls over the lowly blogspot in the name of facebook, myspace and twitter. for myself, i have been enjoying playing the cute games over at facebook- and mostly reading in real life and watching various movies i have seen a million times. autumn is a time of reflection for me, and indeed, thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday and has been for years. i thought it was because of the overall spirit of the holiday but i am wondering now if it isn't something in my genes :) i have been reading my library books about the iroquois- the seneca in particular- and their festivals were ones of thanksgiving. it's nice to ponder whether i am who i am because of my ancestry- and not just a product of my parents and their own traditions. who knows? my father was not raised seneca but he struck out to learn in his own way about where he came from. unfortunately, his soul is so badly damaged that he can't share. he does in his own way.
folks talk about having kids and how difficult it is for the parents to let go- or to lose a child before they die and whatnot. no one ever talks about how difficult it is for a child to let go of a parent. it is rejoiced that children have attained their adulthood and freedom- but we children are supposed to realize that it's normal to lose our parents- and just suck it up and move on. i would like to go on record as saying that those folks who come from intact, stable, loving, 'normal' families should never-- not one day- take it for granted. for those of us who didn't- we live our lifetimes mourning the people our parents could have been and mourn the loss of potential and memories we missed out on. i look at my parents as fellow human beings on the planet and i see the devastation and wreckage left behind from their broken parents and ancestors- and my heart cries for them. in different circumstances, my parents could have led happy, fulfilled lives. perhaps i wouldn't be here today if they had- but i would gladly trade my life for theirs if it meant that they didn't have to experience the hurt and despair and black misery they encountered. in a heartbeat...
folks talk about having kids and how difficult it is for the parents to let go- or to lose a child before they die and whatnot. no one ever talks about how difficult it is for a child to let go of a parent. it is rejoiced that children have attained their adulthood and freedom- but we children are supposed to realize that it's normal to lose our parents- and just suck it up and move on. i would like to go on record as saying that those folks who come from intact, stable, loving, 'normal' families should never-- not one day- take it for granted. for those of us who didn't- we live our lifetimes mourning the people our parents could have been and mourn the loss of potential and memories we missed out on. i look at my parents as fellow human beings on the planet and i see the devastation and wreckage left behind from their broken parents and ancestors- and my heart cries for them. in different circumstances, my parents could have led happy, fulfilled lives. perhaps i wouldn't be here today if they had- but i would gladly trade my life for theirs if it meant that they didn't have to experience the hurt and despair and black misery they encountered. in a heartbeat...
Thursday, October 01, 2009
a lament for my country
not really- i haven't ever written a lament and i doubt like hell anyone would want to read it anyway. many folks aren't 'into' poetry anymore. but a few articles and oh, the past 9 years or so have brought 'round the issue of democracy versus police state and whether this country- and indeed planet- will or can survive.
there are a few of us out here in the middle who look at the world situation with america as a catalyst and wonder if it's us who are crazy or everyone else. what's the quote? 'it's a mad, mad, mad, mad world?' there are those of us who are actual living, breathing, thinking human beings and nothing that is going on makes much rational sense. the way words and meanings are twisted or outright lies and propaganda are swallowed as fact- it's bewildering to me, quite frankly. but it isn't totally unexpected. not when you realize what the big picture is supposed to look like to the folks who are really in charge.
it isn't obama or reid or pelosi. it isn't sarkosy or brown or merkel. there is an oligarchical ruling class made up of old money and corporates who are running the show. as much as i hate rumsfeld and cheney, they were second tier at best carrying out orders. they aren't smart enough to take down a whole country on their own. and what better way of explaining the apparent 'deaf ears' of the supposed left wing democrats to any popular hue and cry? seriously, they don't have to answer to us- they answer to a 'higher power.'
so, looking at the bigger picture, looking at the farce of voting and protesting and following the various distractions in the media, i mean domestic issues like health care reform, it stands to reason that voters don't count. if what we wanted mattered, there would be universal health care for everyone sans penalties or taxes-- like yesterday. seriously. as it is, we are being told it isn't 'american' to want 'socialized' medicine even though every poll to date says that that is exactly what we want.
i discount people on the right as even mattering these days and i am not apologetic for it. right wing is fear based and mean and there is no logic for it. i also dismiss people on the left these days and am unapologetic because left wing is based on willful ignorance to reality and deliberate naivete towards political relevance. the right wing is afraid of people of color and other religions and the left is afraid to admit that their idols have greedy feet of clay and are not saviors. the bottom line is- human beings all look alike on the inside but behave differently on the outside. some are genetically inferior to others and it is not by accident that these folks end up in positions of power.
mom and i have been discussing 'people power' versus 'the power of one' and we both agree that masses don't have the power that one human being does. it only takes one person to take away the liberties and individual rights of millions of others. and all of the protests in the streets can be dispersed by the sonic cannons and tear gas and whatever operated by a single person. something to think about.
there are a few of us out here in the middle who look at the world situation with america as a catalyst and wonder if it's us who are crazy or everyone else. what's the quote? 'it's a mad, mad, mad, mad world?' there are those of us who are actual living, breathing, thinking human beings and nothing that is going on makes much rational sense. the way words and meanings are twisted or outright lies and propaganda are swallowed as fact- it's bewildering to me, quite frankly. but it isn't totally unexpected. not when you realize what the big picture is supposed to look like to the folks who are really in charge.
it isn't obama or reid or pelosi. it isn't sarkosy or brown or merkel. there is an oligarchical ruling class made up of old money and corporates who are running the show. as much as i hate rumsfeld and cheney, they were second tier at best carrying out orders. they aren't smart enough to take down a whole country on their own. and what better way of explaining the apparent 'deaf ears' of the supposed left wing democrats to any popular hue and cry? seriously, they don't have to answer to us- they answer to a 'higher power.'
so, looking at the bigger picture, looking at the farce of voting and protesting and following the various distractions in the media, i mean domestic issues like health care reform, it stands to reason that voters don't count. if what we wanted mattered, there would be universal health care for everyone sans penalties or taxes-- like yesterday. seriously. as it is, we are being told it isn't 'american' to want 'socialized' medicine even though every poll to date says that that is exactly what we want.
i discount people on the right as even mattering these days and i am not apologetic for it. right wing is fear based and mean and there is no logic for it. i also dismiss people on the left these days and am unapologetic because left wing is based on willful ignorance to reality and deliberate naivete towards political relevance. the right wing is afraid of people of color and other religions and the left is afraid to admit that their idols have greedy feet of clay and are not saviors. the bottom line is- human beings all look alike on the inside but behave differently on the outside. some are genetically inferior to others and it is not by accident that these folks end up in positions of power.
mom and i have been discussing 'people power' versus 'the power of one' and we both agree that masses don't have the power that one human being does. it only takes one person to take away the liberties and individual rights of millions of others. and all of the protests in the streets can be dispersed by the sonic cannons and tear gas and whatever operated by a single person. something to think about.
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