Every so often, the human will create something that stands the test of time. As for the rest of the material, it is often simply fodder we must wade through in order to find the gems hidden beneath.
Tag Archives: Politics
Hangman’s Noose or Guillotine: Election TV 2016
Many have spoken about how the 2016 U.S. presidential election season has become much like a bad reality television show. Not much reality seems to be represented, just a lot of sensationalism, distraction, and outrage; all leading to a distorted reality at best.
The public seems to gobble up this form of entertainment, much like ancestors of old would have flocked to the hangman’s noose to watch a hanging.
After nearly a year of this form of entertainment, there is a foreboding sense that by November the hangman’s noose will no longer continue to draw the crowds.
Then what?
The metaphoric guillotine?
Prosperity through Diplomacy
The political climate swirling around the U.S. election cycle has had me pondering the importance of diplomacy, and the disregard so many have toward diplomacy.
As a young nation, the United States found itself in a conundrum. The desire to avoid the entanglements of European politics clashed with the desire for economic prosperity. Some early leaders, including Thomas Jefferson, believed that the plentiful natural resources of the Americas would remain in high demand by Europeans and would ensure that a predominately agrarian society would continue to prosper for decades, even centuries to come. Others were more doubtful and recognized that trade would mandate political interaction. While idealists would cleave to the notion that the demand for U.S. raw materials would force the nations of Europe to treat the new nation with respect and dignity, others rightfully worried that it would take strength to bring about international respect.
The United States would spend much of its first one hundred and fifty years debating how to be taken seriously as a world power while at the same…
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Turning the Other Cheek vs. Turning a Blind Eye
Where is the accountability in this statement?
No one can offend you unless you choose to be offended.
A person may choose to remain offended, in essence to remain a victim of someone else’s offense, but they did not necessarily choose to be offended in the first place. Whether the offender intentionally or unintentionally caused offense, they should be held accountable for their actions.
Turning the other cheek and turning a blind eye are not one and the same.
Saith Me… Exhaustion
First I laughed so hard it hurt,
Then later I cried the tears of healing,
Finally, I slept.
What Choice Do We Have?
This wonderfully well-written blog post was shared with me today. It articulates the perception that Trump and his devout followers create. This perception is of their own making. It is difficult for the rational mind to make any other assumption than the ones outlined by this blogger.
The thing I have noticed, which I have been noticing elsewhere as well, is that there are so many confused people who are seeking a leader who does not require them to read or think on their own. They simply want someone to tell them what to do. Trump is excellent at reassuring his followers that they need not think because he will think for them. Somehow this assurance is more comfortable for them than continuing to struggle with an imperfect Hillary or a revolutionary Bernie. Certainly, it is more comforting than shifting through the mass populace of Republican candidates who only seem to confuse the GOP identity rather than define it.
Those who commented on this blog who either did not read it, or did not understand the literary nuances of it, or simply hated what they saw, struck out, attacking the blogger and demanding that the blogger give equal critical measure to the other candidates. Others who read the blog but found it to make them uncomfortable with their choice to follow Trump asked the blogger to tell them what other choice they have.
What other choice do we have? We can choose to do more than ask someone else to do the research and work for us. Yes, we all like to share a quick meme or thought, but we need to research and reason, rather than simply seek a shepherd to follow.
Election Ignorance and Disillusionment
The lack of basic election knowledge shown by so many people commenting today makes my head hurt.
Getting past all the anger and rude rhetoric which dominates the online conversations, it becomes evident that the bigger problem with the political and election system is the ignorance which creates confusion and threatens to disenfranchise the voter when the hype dies down and disillusionment sets in.
It seems understandable that many might be confused by the nature of the U.S. political process. It is not as if each state or each party follow the same procedures. Even the general election process seems simple compared to all the variations to be considered during the primary season. However with the internet just a click away, answers can be found for those who are confused. There are articles to read, charts and diagrams to consider, and plenty of video explanations for those who need a person to explain it all when the charts and articles fall short. Despite all the material designed to reduce the confusion, there are many who cannot seem to grasp the basic principles of primary elections. Maybe they get caught up in the national news and forget to seek out information on their own state. Maybe they simply do not realize that the primaries and caucuses are all about choosing a party candidate rather than pitting one party against the other. Whichever or whatever it is, the confusion is problematic. Only one person will win the general election, leaving many to wonder why their vote today did not seem to count when November rolls around.
Saith Me… Education and Skill
Education and skill go hand in hand. It matters much less how they are obtained than that they are, indeed, obtained.
Saith Me… Politics Today
Politics used to be likened to a Three Ring Circus, but now it seems to be much more like a Reality TV Show – entertaining, but terrifying in its portrayal of human nature and intellect.
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Saith Me… Boldly Proclaim, Wisely Reevaluate
It seems human nature to boldly proclaim thoughts and opinions which are often formed from only a mere scattering of information collected.
It seems wisdom is gained from reevaluating one’s ideas after having accumulated greater information which is often derived from someone else’s bold proclamations.
Therefore wisdom is a result of both boldly proclaiming and wisely reevaluating.
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FYI: I cannot view, nor do I endorse any of the ads that are shown on my blog.
Pithy Ponderings 