CIVICS

From  the Federalist Papers, 68 (link to complete document below)-  

"These most deadly adversaries of republican government might naturally have been expected to make their approaches from more than one querter, but chiefly from the desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils."

2016 Interpretation, (by Me!):

Among others, one of the purposes for the establishment of the Electoral College was/is to keep foreign governments, (like, let's say Russia, for example), from influencin' our political process and installin' surrogates, (like, uhh... Donald Trump, perhaps), who are sympathetic and/or beholding to governments other than our own.

Go on- use the link below.  Give it a really good read.  (It's a couple hundred years old, so the language might seem a bit "flowery", some of the words archaic.  And it's Hamilton.)  

Now, consult various reliable sources- cross-reference usin' things like the Dictionary, current and past essays on the subject from people with some sense, and study current events relative to our most recent presidential election. (Again: reasonable, verifiable sources.  This obviously excludes extreme partisan digital rags and Interweb propaganda mills- think garbage like Alex Jones' "Infowars".  One of the best examples of Absolute Crap out there.)

Next, in your most reasonable, thoughtful, non-paranoid, intelligent capacity, ponder the Direction of our Country, the Futures of Your Family, Your Neighbors, Your Planet.  (Always good to include your Planet.  I know: should go without sayin', but...)  Spend a moment considerin' just who profits, not only from where our Government is now, but where it's headed in our Collective Immediate Futures.  Think about what entities might have somethin' to gain by influencin' our political process....

I realize this is a lot to ask.  Hell, it'd probably take anywhere from thirty minutes to as much as an hour or two, dependin' on how much time you want to spend on that last part, the "thinkin'" part.

Oh!  And just one more thing:

When you're searchin' for facts and references, try and not get distracted.  Remember: Obama didn't ban the word "Christmas", and Trump didn't keep Ford from closin' an assembly plant in Kentucky...

Fish~

http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/fed68.asp

ASYLUM KEYS

Y'know, the election is over and a winner was chosen.  Didn't turn out the way I'd have preferred, but I'm glad it's over.  Mr. Trump will be the president and he'll be my president.  

Initially, I was reassured when the president elect appeared to soften extremist and unreasonable/unworkable views on some key campaign issues.  That's the typical flow of Our Politics-  neither party ever has the will or power to follow through on all their campaign claims.  In other words, much of the campaign chatter is just Good Ol' Fashion Bullshit, regardless of party affiliation.  Always has been.  Not expectin' any kinda sea change any time soon.  

So I set to work revisitin' areas where I actually agreed with some of Mr. Trump's campaign rhetoric.  There are a few things- like congressional term limits, reducin' the unchecked flow of money into our political system....  I really wanted him to be successful, 'cause as goes the Presidency, so goes the Country.

But the choices he's made for cabinet and staff positions this week have only served to validate and reinforce many of the more grave concerns I've had all along.  The disturbin' shit.  Racism, Anti-Semitism, Intolerance, disdain for Human Rights, the championin' of the Wealthy over the Remainder...  (And the crazy, outright lyin'.  Really hoped that would at least subside a little bit.)

Then I read a post from a friend yesterday- she was describin' an experience she had just had this week while out with a coworker at the end of the day.  In a public place.  I'll give no other details here, but I will say that it was one of the most disgustin', ugly, racist/misogynistic, even frightenin' things that I have ever heard in my life.  (And I ain't young and I've heard some damn terrible shit.)  Just readin' her brief account disturbed the Hell outta me and I'm havin' a damn hard time shakin' it.

Sadly, it's more than a little obvious that the thinly veiled hate speech that has been such a huge part of what we've been subjected to over the past year or so is squarely to blame for the Emboldenin' of the Darker Side of far too many people in our country.  An anything-but-subtle invitation has been extended.  An invitation grantin' Permission and Acceptance to the Hate and Vilification of anyone of your choosin', for any reason or excuse, regardless of whether Anchored in Fact or simply a Product of Imagination or Fear.

I was hopin' things would wind up goin' okay, but now I just can't, not for the life of me, see it bein' anything short of a nightmare.

Damn worried, y'all.

Fish~

MISDIRECTED INDIGNATION

I continue to be amazed by the things we choose to be enraged over.  (And, no- it is not improper grammar to end a sentence with a preposition.  Another example of bullshit we've all been fed...) 

Sorry, distracted myself.  (That was quick!). 

Anyway, you might not agree with the method a professional athlete in our country may have used to bring attention to somethin' about which he clearly feels very strongly about, and that's fine.  This is the United States of America.  In our country, you have that right, just as he has the right to do what he chose to do for the reasons he had.  We are all afforded that right.  Right?

But, know what?  If you're focussin' on what he did, as opposed to why he did it, then both he and you have failed- only in starkly different ways.

Here's the thing:  

Wanna get pissed about somethin'?  Get pissed about Institutional Racism, Childhood Poverty or Food Insecurity.  Get vocal over how Money and Greed have destroyed our Political System.  Or maybe you can raise some Hell because our Soldiers have been killed and maimed in the Name of No Bid Contracts for Cheney's Halliburton and Company.

Stop usin' Bullshit Flag Worship as some kinda Holy Hobby you can use for damnin' anyone who tries to bring attention to a Real Issue.

No shit.  Pick a genuinely legitimate thing, a true injustice to get mad about.  Ain't like there's some kinda shortage out there.  

And another thing:  All that "Support our Troops" bullshit that gets regurgitated every time somebody chooses to speak out about War for Profit and the Wholesale Murder of the Innocents like it's a reflection on Those Who Serve?  You people?  Sit down and shut the fuck up, 'cause if you really supported our Troops, you'd be mad as Livin' Hell over their bein' treated as Cannon Fodder in the Name Corporate Profits.  

Know who I feel is guilty of not supportin' our Troops?  All you Sonsabitches without the wherewithall to challenge our "Leaders" regardin' Their Preference for Monetary Support over Human Life.

Stop for a second and think!  Damnit, y'all!

Are you so afraid of the Real World that you would seek comfort by Embracin' the Misdirection that extinguishes your very Capacity for Reason?  

Does your Pride prevent you from recognizin' and condemnin' the Dirty Tricks you choose to fall for almost daily?  

Y'all are killin' me.

Fish~   

DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

Hey...

Got somethin' for y'all:

Followin' each of the acceptance speeches of both major party nominees, NPR posted the full texts, complete with fact-check annotations.  Havin' only watched around half of Hilary's speech last night and only around fifteen minutes or so of the Donald's speech, this gave me a chance to not only go over both in their entirety, but also be enlightened in regard to the validity of the points that each stated as Fact.  (I found a couple modest surprises among what both had to say.)

Let's face it: this is American Politics and both sides (we effectively have only two choices) are attemptin' to sell you their particular Bill of Goods.  

Like so many other things in Life, for one to truly make somethin' as close to an "informed decision" as possible, we owe it to ourselves to, no matter how unpalatable we may find it, we owe it to ourselves to take a hard look at all (both...) choices and give thoughtful consideration to what we are presented with.  

I found the contrast between the content and the pitches to be pretty damn interestin'.

I have included links to the respective speeches and the fact-checkin' below, and I'd like to invite you to do as I've done;   Set aside the time to go over the points these folks have chosen to frame their particular cases, as well as the style in which they approached them.

It's the smart thing to do...

Thanks, Y'all,

Fish~ 

http://www.npr.org/2016/07/21/486883610/fact-check-donald-trumps-republican-convention-speech-annotated

http://www.npr.org/2016/07/28/487817725/fact-check-hillary-clintons-speech-to-the-democratic-convention-annotated

NOT YOUR JOB

A few days ago, while speakin' before the Southern Legislative Conference in Lexington, made up of legislators from fifteen southern states, Republican Governor Matt Bevin urged attendees to "be shepherds, not sheep."  He also used the word "agnostic" and "apathetic" while referrin' to "our mores, our values, our principles, our convictions, our love of liberty."

Simple Definition of agnostic

: a person who does not have a definite belief about whether God exists or not

: a person who does not believe or is unsure of something

Simple Definition of apathetic

: not having or showing much emotion or interest

Okay.  The use of these two words, particularly the word "agnostic", appear to be a passive aggressive attempt by Bevin to question the Faith and Conviction of his audience, or at least foster guilt.  This is further bolstered by his use of "shepherds, not sheep", another thinly-veiled  allusion to Faith and Scripture.

Here's why I take issue with this language:

First, he, and everyone he's speakin' to, are politicians, officials elected to their posts to further the Will of their given Electorate.  They are not Spiritual Guides. They do not represent an arm of the Clergy.  In fact, in relation to our Constitution, their elected positions dictate that they operate without regard to Religion. 

Stop!  

I know what some of you are thinkin': 

"So, what's wrong with approachin' your duties as an Elected Representative of the People in a Just and Moral fashion?  

My answer... Nothin'.  There is absolutely nothin' wrong with our Elected Officials approachin' their job in a Just and Moral fashion.  

However, Christianity, nor any Religion for that matter, holds Exclusive Rights to the Concepts of Justice, Compassion, Morality, or a number of other generally accepted Admirable Social Conventions.  Bein' a Decent Human Being ain't some kinda club comprised of Strictly Christian Members.  It's just not the way things are, or have ever been.  In fact, there are people among all Religions who, through their Intolerance, their Narrowmindedness, their Ignorance, act in ways contrary to the teachings they profess to embrace.

Now, why is that?  

Easy:  

They're Human.  

Imperfect, Fallible Human Beings. 

We all are.

And I damn sure don't look to Elected Officials when I feel the need for Spiritual Guidance.  In fact, that is probably the absolute last place in the World I would look.  In our current Governmental Framework, these folks are put in place to represent us, not to "guide" us, or "show us the way" as they would see fit.  Not their job.  Not even close.  This concept of "Political Shepherds" stands absolutely to the contrary of the intended position for these people.  And, any attempt to elevate politicians to such a position represents the Extremes of Self-importance and Conceit.

If someone's Faith helps them to live a life that embraces Tolerance, Empathy, Understanding, and Charity, then it has served them well.  But by no means does that imbue them with the right to insist that all others adopt their chosen position, their particular interpretation of a life philosophy.  To do so is to distort and do a grave disservice to the very ideals they profess to embrace.

Jesus and Muhammed ain't on the ballot.

Fish~

DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT...

Waitin' for an offsite meeting to wrap up so that I can break down some data equipment.  A speaker just finished up with a quote that he attributed to Winston Churchill, complete with a presentation graphic displayed on the colossal screen behind him.  It was a particularly simple, but eloquent, statement, and I pulled out my phone so that I could copy it down.  Before I could finish, the slide was taken down.  I turned to the Interweb to make sure I had transcribed it correctly- found multiple references immediately.

Funny thing:  This particular quote is often attributed to Churchill, but there is nothin' to prove that he actually said it or wrote it.  No letters.  No speech transcripts.  Nothin'.  Several sites displayin' it as a quote, none givin' reference to anything.

These were good words, placed in a certain order with appropriate punctuation, that expressed a fine sentiment.  But somehow, at some point, someone felt it necessary to attach a famous name to these words in what I can only assume was an effort to give the statement some sort of heightened (inflated?) legitimacy/validity.

So, someone took a perfectly good, even above average, expression of thought and hung a chunk of Bullshit at the end of it.

This was unnecessary, and may well only serve to reduce the impact of a set of good words.  The statement, with the misattribution attached, has become nothin' more than a lie.  Some Bullshit.

Think of how often we're exposed to things like this every day and we never even know it.  The Politicians and the Spin Doctors and the For-Profit Media have figured out just how gullible a huge portion of our citizenry actually is.  And they know that practically anything can be said, no matter how false and absurd, and a large percentage of those that hear it will take it as Absolute Truth.  It can be refuted and proven wrong over and over again, but a great number will still hold on to it and take it as Gospel, especially if it happened to be somethin' that they wanted to believe to begin with.

Disregard for Honesty?  Self-delusion?  Intellectual Sloth or Plain Ol' Stupidity?  Couldn't tell you.  But I would imagine it to be a combination of many, many things, includin' those I've mentioned.

Perhaps, some day, we'll grow bored and embarrassed by our own ignorance and decide to start engagin' our brains enough to cut through the Fog of Lies and Distortions.

But I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.  I've heard that can actually turn you into an atheist...

Fish~

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