Sparky55: Yes it does bother me, a lot... but this the reality we live in. We can either adjust to it and try to make change by finding the truth or we can go along with it.
It is true that there are those struggling to make ends meet but the majority of people in the United States (for example) spend their free time in front of the big, flat screen idiot box and are apathetic to what happens around them.
The leadership in the US and other parts of the world can be removed from power through elections, protests or force as we've seen over recent weeks. Unfortunately, I imagine that there's a very low percentage of people who really understand our political system, lobbys, special interest groups, unions, etc... they only go by what the politician is saying that apeeals to the individual. I seriously doubt any President elected to office got there based on informed voters. Heck, our voting numbers alone show very clearly just how apathetic and lazy people really are.
Well realities change with solid information instead of misdirection.
Isn't that's why the tea party phenomena was invented... to get the apathetic off their butts and get appropriately brainwashed in a certain direction?
That fact is that America is in a much higher state of crisis than they understand. We are at a major economic and philosophical crossroad and as you allude... that 42" screen telling them to buy and that everything is just fine... it's all the OTHER crazies screwing things up. Nope not so. Ownership.
We have had one party purposefully dividing a country instead of uniting it to deal with the real issues, a president who was bought and paid for, and too many previous years of rampant greed... and I know not a few of the reasonable and aware consider this gross irresponsibility.
Beyond the vote which frankly seems useless these days, cause we're only voting for who the powers that be offer us.
I'd say this is the only place to take a stand... just like this wave in the middle east... the internet. Spread the truth or as close as we can possibly get to it from what information we can glean... but even that isn't easy if you've tried at all, google is not as efficient as one would like, there is a hand in that too.
At least make an effort at not taking a stance of feeling superior in secret, because it's socially dangerous to speak openly in a polarized world.
Say you've had enough.. this isn't what America is supposed to be about, that we are one people and many individuals and deserve better than what we've been handed... that our freedom to be self governed has disappeared, that Americans shouldn't be pawns in the hands of a few.
Speak out, complain, be righteously indignant... what else can we do but spread what truth we've learned as individuals, no parties, no agendas, no races or religions... except for the truth we share?
Sparky55: I'm glad we're agreeing on some things. I don't know that it's necessarily a bad thing to buy some of the things one wants but it's certainly not necessary and should never be done when one can't afford it.
theres alot more depth to consumerism, both at the production and consumerist end, than just not being able to afford things.
gininitaly: Well realities change with solid information instead of misdirection.
Isn't that's why the tea party phenomena was invented... to get the apathetic off their butts and get appropriately brainwashed in a certain direction?
That fact is that America is in a much higher state of crisis than they understand. We are at a major economic and philosophical crossroad and as you allude... that 42" screen telling them to buy and that everything is just fine... it's all the OTHER crazies screwing things up. Nope not so. Ownership.
We have had one party purposefully dividing a country instead of uniting it to deal with the real issues, a president who was bought and paid for, and too many previous years of rampant greed... and I know not a few of the reasonable and aware consider this gross irresponsibility.
Beyond the vote which frankly seems useless these days, cause we're only voting for who the powers that be offer us.
I'd say this is the only place to take a stand... just like this wave in the middle east... the internet. Spread the truth or as close as we can possibly get to it from what information we can glean... but even that isn't easy if you've tried at all, google is not as efficient as one would like, there is a hand in that too.
At least make an effort at not taking a stance of feeling superior in secret, because it's socially dangerous to speak openly in a polarized world.
Say you've had enough.. this isn't what America is supposed to be about, that we are one people and many individuals and deserve better than what we've been handed... that our freedom to be self governed has disappeared, that Americans shouldn't be pawns in the hands of a few.
Speak out, complain, be righteously indignant... what else can we do but spread what truth we've learned as individuals, no parties, no agendas, no races or religions... except for the truth we share?
In response to: By SLOBODAN LEKIC Feb. 25 Associated Press
BRUSSELS -- NATO will not intervene in the Libyan crisis, but will continue to monitor the situation closely, its top decision-making body said after an emergency meeting Friday.
"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
gininitaly: Well realities change with solid information instead of misdirection.
Isn't that's why the tea party phenomena was invented... to get the apathetic off their butts and get appropriately brainwashed in a certain direction?
That fact is that America is in a much higher state of crisis than they understand. We are at a major economic and philosophical crossroad and as you allude... that 42" screen telling them to buy and that everything is just fine... it's all the OTHER crazies screwing things up. Nope not so. Ownership.
We have had one party , a president who was bought and paid for, and too many previous years of rampant greed... and I know not a few of the reasonable and aware consider this gross irresponsibility.
Beyond the vote which frankly seems useless these days, cause we're only voting for who the powers that be offer us.
I'd say this is the only place to take a stand... just like this wave in the middle east... the internet. Spread the truth or as close as we can possibly get to it from what information we can glean... but even that isn't easy if you've tried at all, google is not as efficient as one would like, there is a hand in that too.
At least make an effort at not taking a stance of feeling superior in secret, because it's socially dangerous to speak openly in a polarized world.
Say you've had enough.. this isn't what America is supposed to be about, that we are one people and many individuals and deserve better than what we've been handed... that our freedom to be self governed has disappeared, that Americans shouldn't be pawns in the hands of a few.
Speak out, complain, be righteously indignant... what else can we do but spread what truth we've learned as individuals, no parties, no agendas, no races or religions... except for the truth we share?
Honestly, You make some good points but every individual has their own truth. The tea partiers for instance, which you state are brainwashing people, believe what they believe and if that's what the US needs to get people off thier butts then that's good. Not that I agree with everything they say or do, I don't but they are making an effort.
I would have to disagree with your comment about one party purposefully dividing a country instead of uniting it to deal with the real issues. I believe both parties have an equal share in this mess. Pointing to one party or one political philosophy with blame only negates your comments about no parties, no agenda, etc.. It's that fundemental flaw in ourselves that will always make us weak. some argue that political discourse is a healthy thing and I believe that's true but we (The US) and many other countries are well beyond that.
The truth as I see it is that until our two parties along with those that support them are willing to compromise rather than grandstanding and being dishonest, we're never going to get past the problems we have. The best thing we can do is pay attention and do our best to get rid of those who fail to play nice. The mid-term elections saw some of that. Perhaps the next elections will see more.
gininitaly: "You must be the change you want to see in the world."
Mahatma Ghandi
How i wish the thing going on in Libya now is taking place in the whole Africa and all bloody borders will be removed and allow Africans to walk freely in their motherland. Fire will burn and rats will scatter.
emmaline: theres alot more depth to consumerism, both at the production and consumerist end, than just not being able to afford things.
think that was the point we were both making
True, but the biggest problem are those that think they must have this or that and not be able to afford it. We'll eventually come to understand all the aspects once those consumables aren't available or we're so broke we wont be able to pay attantion..
Sparky55: Honestly, You make some good points but every individual has their own truth. The tea partiers for instance, which you state are brainwashing people, believe what they believe and if that's what the US needs to get people off thier butts then that's good. Not that I agree with everything they say or do, I don't but they are making an effort.
Are you denying that the inflammatory rhetoric started on that side of the spectrum once Obama was elected and the right panicked? We saw it here, on the news and out on the street... I frankly don't remember the left going to this extreme until very late in the game... we did a strange thing, before all this started, we voted for what we thought would be a more rational viewpoint, not realizing we were voting for a Wall St. shill.
In response to: I would have to disagree with your comment about one party purposefully dividing a country instead of uniting it to deal with the real issues. I believe both parties have an equal share in this mess. Pointing to one party or one political philosophy with blame only negates your comments about no parties, no agenda, etc.. It's that fundemental flaw in ourselves that will always make us weak. some argue that political discourse is a healthy thing and I believe that's true but we (The US) and many other countries are well beyond that.
Well they did extremely divide the country into left and right even tho there were people in the middle, maybe even a lot of people, to the point of even getting rid of some moderate Republicans. But I do live and learn and once I found out the game... I stopped playing. Doesn't mean I don't understand where and why it started. I made my evaluation even tho you may not agree with it. That's for you to grasp. At the point I discovered that there were no honorable parties.. but simply rival financial factions.. what's to choose... other than finding the real truth about both and our situation?
In response to: The truth as I see it is that until our two parties along with those that support them are willing to compromise rather than grandstanding and being dishonest, we're never going to get past the problems we have. The best thing we can do is pay attention and do our best to get rid of those who fail to play nice. The mid-term elections saw some of that. Perhaps the next elections will see more.
Absolutely But I'm not holding my breath on elections anymore, it will have to be more grassroots and honest than that... everyone has to understand we've been manipulated to someone elses advantage, not for what's best for most of us.
You also have to realize that both sides of the spectrum have a different psychological makeup and how they view of the world. Try googling the characteristics of both sometime... makes sense why we choose which end fits us best. Not wrong or right it just is.
u2KittyClose to the ocean, South Denmark Denmark974 posts
gininitaly: Well realities change with solid information instead of misdirection.
Isn't that's why the tea party phenomena was invented... to get the apathetic off their butts and get appropriately brainwashed in a certain direction?
That fact is that America is in a much higher state of crisis than they understand. We are at a major economic and philosophical crossroad and as you allude... that 42" screen telling them to buy and that everything is just fine... it's all the OTHER crazies screwing things up. Nope not so. Ownership.
We have had one party purposefully dividing a country instead of uniting it to deal with the real issues, a president who was bought and paid for, and too many previous years of rampant greed... and I know not a few of the reasonable and aware consider this gross irresponsibility.
Beyond the vote which frankly seems useless these days, cause we're only voting for who the powers that be offer us.
I'd say this is the only place to take a stand... just like this wave in the middle east... the internet. Spread the truth or as close as we can possibly get to it from what information we can glean... but even that isn't easy if you've tried at all, google is not as efficient as one would like, there is a hand in that too.
At least make an effort at not taking a stance of feeling superior in secret, because it's socially dangerous to speak openly in a polarized world.
Say you've had enough.. this isn't what America is supposed to be about, that we are one people and many individuals and deserve better than what we've been handed... that our freedom to be self governed has disappeared, that Americans shouldn't be pawns in the hands of a few.
Speak out, complain, be righteously indignant... what else can we do but spread what truth we've learned as individuals, no parties, no agendas, no races or religions... except for the truth we share?
u2KittyClose to the ocean, South Denmark Denmark974 posts
d_simple: How i wish the thing going on in Libya now is taking place in the whole Africa and all bloody borders will be removed and allow Africans to walk freely in their motherland. Fire will burn and rats will scatter.
d_simple: How i wish the thing going on in Libya now is taking place in the whole Africa and all bloody borders will be removed and allow Africans to walk freely in their motherland. Fire will burn and rats will scatter.
gininitaly: Are you denying that the inflammatory rhetoric started on that side of the spectrum once Obama was elected and the right panicked? We saw it here, on the news and out on the street... I frankly don't remember the left going to this extreme until very late in the game... we did a strange thing, before all this started, we voted for what we thought would be a more rational viewpoint, not realizing we were voting for a Wall St. shill. Well they did extremely divide the country into left and right even tho there were people in the middle, maybe even a lot of people, to the point of even getting rid of some moderate Republicans. But I do live and learn and once I found out the game... I stopped playing. Doesn't mean I don't understand where and why it started. I made my evaluation even tho you may not agree with it. That's for you to grasp. At the point I discovered that there were no honorable parties.. but simply rival financial factions.. what's to choose... other than finding the real truth about both and our situation? Absolutely But I'm not holding my breath on elections anymore, it will have to be more grassroots and honest than that... everyone has to understand we've been manipulated to someone elses advantage, not for what's best for most of us.
You also have to realize that both sides of the spectrum have a different psychological makeup and how they view of the world. Try googling the characteristics of both sometime... makes sense why we choose which end fits us best. Not wrong or right it just is.
If People had looked at his Playmates,they might not have voted for him!
But the whole thing was like the Time of the Trojan Horse,where it is said that the Gods smote the good Citizens of Troy with Blindness!
Sparky55: I realize people are different and many dems or reps have many of the same psychological characteristics. There's obviously good & bad with that. But I've not given up on the political process yet. In fact, I think it's going to actually get better over the coming years when people wake up and realize they have a stake in this. We really can't continue down the path we're on for much longer
Well I haven't found that to be the case, for the most part in this day and age. Until the ones in the middle find someone who reflects them, we're stuck on this teeter totter with the lobbyists the pivot.
Glad you're hopeful.... in the end what else is there?
Gaddafi Debates Democracy with Western Scholars March 8, 2007 by TMO
By William Maclean
SEBHA, Libya (Reuters) – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi debated democracy with two Western scholars in the desert on Friday in a move apparently designed to further the resumption of international ties following years of isolation.
Speaking on the 30th anniversary of his declaration of a Jamahiriyah or state of the masses, Gaddafi said Libya was embracing globalization and the outside world after years of sanctions but insisted his experiment in rule by town hall meetings was fairer than the West’s ballot box democracy.
The veteran Libyan leader, speaking in front of a small invited group of western journalists, reiterated his view that representative democracy was the dictatorship of the 51 percent.
“51 percent — this is not democracy. This means that 49 percent is against the winner,” he told U.S. political scientist Benjamin Barber and British sociologist Anthony Giddens in a discussion moderated by British television journalist David Frost.
Dressed in sweeping brown African robes and occasionally holding a copy of his 1970s Green Book of political philosophy, Gaddafi said Libya accepted modernity in the shape of globalization even though, he said, it was driven by powerful Western financial interests.
“Libya cannot stand against the tide,” he said. “But the power of money is the one that rules. … This is an international dictatorship that is being practiced against people, especially poor people.”
But his north African country of about 6 million people would persist with Jamahiriyah because it genuinely gave more say to ordinary people than Western elections, which, he added, was a system enfeebled by voter apathy.
Critics say the north African country’s Jamahiriyah system, the only government most Libyans have known, is a fig leaf for authoritarian rule and has kept the country poor.
Admirers say the system of town hall meetings in which political parties are banned guarantees ordinary people a direct say in ruling themselves and ensures political stability.
Gaddafi seized power in a coup in 1969 and in 1977 he proclaimed Jamahiriyah popular rule to try to create the perfect society in line with the teachings of his Green Book, which combines aspects of socialism, Islam and pan-Arabism.
Local community meetings known as Basic People’s Congresses (BPC), surveyed by revolutionary committees composed of youthful Green Book enthusiasts, send up their decisions to a national tier of officials via a pyramid of committees and congresses.
The debate was held in a small room in a meeting hall in Sebha, the southern desert town where Gaddafi proclaimed Jamahiriyah in March 2, 1977.
Gaddafi, shunned internationally for much of his rule because the West accused him of terrorism, improved his standing in 2003 when Libya accepted civil responsibility for Lockerbie.
Months later Tripoli announced it would abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs. The announcement drew praise from London and Washington and in September 2004, President Bush formally ended a U.S. trade embargo.
Paldi5: Gaddafi Debates Democracy with Western Scholars March 8, 2007 by TMO By William Maclean
SEBHA, Libya (Reuters) – Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi debated democracy with two Western scholars in the desert on Friday in a move apparently designed to further the resumption of international ties following years of isolation.
Speaking on the 30th anniversary of his declaration of a Jamahiriyah or state of the masses, Gaddafi said Libya was embracing globalization and the outside world after years of sanctions but insisted his experiment in rule by town hall meetings was fairer than the West’s ballot box democracy.
The veteran Libyan leader, speaking in front of a small invited group of western journalists, reiterated his view that representative democracy was the dictatorship of the 51 percent.
“51 percent — this is not democracy. This means that 49 percent is against the winner,” he told U.S. political scientist Benjamin Barber and British sociologist Anthony Giddens in a discussion moderated by British television journalist David Frost.
Dressed in sweeping brown African robes and occasionally holding a copy of his 1970s Green Book of political philosophy, Gaddafi said Libya accepted modernity in the shape of globalization even though, he said, it was driven by powerful Western financial interests.
“Libya cannot stand against the tide,” he said. “But the power of money is the one that rules. … This is an international dictatorship that is being practiced against people, especially poor people.”
But his north African country of about 6 million people would persist with Jamahiriyah because it genuinely gave more say to ordinary people than Western elections, which, he added, was a system enfeebled by voter apathy.
Critics say the north African country’s Jamahiriyah system, the only government most Libyans have known, is a fig leaf for authoritarian rule and has kept the country poor.
Admirers say the system of town hall meetings in which political parties are banned guarantees ordinary people a direct say in ruling themselves and ensures political stability.
Gaddafi seized power in a coup in 1969 and in 1977 he proclaimed Jamahiriyah popular rule to try to create the perfect society in line with the teachings of his Green Book, which combines aspects of socialism, Islam and pan-Arabism.
Local community meetings known as Basic People’s Congresses (BPC), surveyed by revolutionary committees composed of youthful Green Book enthusiasts, send up their decisions to a national tier of officials via a pyramid of committees and congresses.
The debate was held in a small room in a meeting hall in Sebha, the southern desert town where Gaddafi proclaimed Jamahiriyah in March 2, 1977.
Gaddafi, shunned internationally for much of his rule because the West accused him of terrorism, improved his standing in 2003 when Libya accepted civil responsibility for Lockerbie.
Months later Tripoli announced it would abandon its weapons of mass destruction programs. The announcement drew praise from London and Washington and in September 2004, President Bush formally ended a U.S. trade embargo.
The Mad Colonel! A Dictator giving Lessons in Freedom!
d_simple: How i wish the thing going on in Libya now is taking place in the whole Africa and all bloody borders will be removed and allow Africans to walk freely in their motherland. Fire will burn and rats will scatter.
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It is true that there are those struggling to make ends meet but the majority of people in the United States (for example) spend their free time in front of the big, flat screen idiot box and are apathetic to what happens around them.
The leadership in the US and other parts of the world can be removed from power through elections, protests or force as we've seen over recent weeks. Unfortunately, I imagine that there's a very low percentage of people who really understand our political system, lobbys, special interest groups, unions, etc... they only go by what the politician is saying that apeeals to the individual. I seriously doubt any President elected to office got there based on informed voters. Heck, our voting numbers alone show very clearly just how apathetic and lazy people really are.
Well realities change with solid information instead of misdirection.
Isn't that's why the tea party phenomena was invented... to get the apathetic off their butts and get appropriately brainwashed in a certain direction?
That fact is that America is in a much higher state of crisis than they understand. We are at a major economic and philosophical crossroad and as you allude... that 42" screen telling them to buy and that everything is just fine... it's all the OTHER crazies screwing things up. Nope not so. Ownership.
We have had one party purposefully dividing a country instead of uniting it to deal with the real issues, a president who was bought and paid for, and too many previous years of rampant greed... and I know not a few of the reasonable and aware consider this gross irresponsibility.
Beyond the vote which frankly seems useless these days, cause we're only voting for who the powers that be offer us.
I'd say this is the only place to take a stand... just like this wave in the middle east... the internet. Spread the truth or as close as we can possibly get to it from what information we can glean... but even that isn't easy if you've tried at all, google is not as efficient as one would like, there is a hand in that too.
At least make an effort at not taking a stance of feeling superior in secret, because it's socially dangerous to speak openly in a polarized world.
Say you've had enough.. this isn't what America is supposed to be about, that we are one people and many individuals and deserve better than what we've been handed... that our freedom to be self governed has disappeared, that Americans shouldn't be pawns in the hands of a few.
Speak out, complain, be righteously indignant... what else can we do but spread what truth we've learned as individuals, no parties, no agendas, no races or religions... except for the truth we share?