Those crazy protesters. Look at 'em go!
The last G20 summit held in Pittsburgh held small echoes of the 1999 WTO fiasco which no government would ever allow to happen again. Video on YouTube and Google show people on megaphones shouting out lofty statements about free speech and the American first amendment of the Constitution, and then here come the riot police. They have their fancy trucks with sound cannons on them, they tote around their batons and zap straps, and they're ready to arrest anyone who gets out of line. But there's those protesters shouting their slogans and rhetoric, still trying to make the world a better place.
Little did they know that the land of the free got sold.
Everyone in the United States is raised to be a clean patriotic citizen, whose moral ethic is built to lead the world by their example. As a child you don't think that anyone is lying to you. You then grow up and realize that most things are lies, huge lies. The American Constitution is one of them. Protesters grow up and decide that they are the ones to affect change, and still believe that they have rights. Yet everytime you watch one of these major protests go down, it doesn't matter how peaceful they are, the cops show up and start throwing their weight around, sometimes without provocation. Is that the idea of freedom they were raised upon? I think not. As well they also must believe that their opinions matter, but as we all know there's plenty of complaining in the world, and no one cares. Now that sounds pretty jaded, but what have the protestors accomplished?
Now don't get me wrong. I admire the ideals these people extol, and wish I had the ability to do what they do. They want to be heard so they go out and give it their all to get heard. They risk being caught in a riot, gassed, pepper sprayed, and arrested to get their message out. The problem is that to make the changes they want they have to convince the people in power. They have to get their message to those who control the nations and corporations, and make them listen. How can you do that if there's a line of police between you and the person you want to talk to? What would it matter anyway? The person you want to talk to wants the police between you and them anyways, so already there's a barrier in place before you even see a cop. These people don't want to, or have time to talk to protesters and activists, because they believe all they're going to hear is how they are a) a horrible person, b) their activities are killing everyone, and c) they are part of a global problem which they perpetuate. What they aren't hearing is a) how they can change, b) how to ease the impacts on humanity, and c) how we can all work together to be prosperous.
Have you ever seen a protest march where the people want to talk to the companies, and heads of state in a positive way? In the modern day it seems that corporations, especially in the States, are holding governments hostage in a sense. Money being what it is drives this corporate bus straight to the capitals of nations and attempts to force the door open so to speak. But they do it so subtley that you're not sure what's happening, you just get this uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach. Breathing heavily into the paper bag, and reaching for the Rolaids, you tell yourself that's it's going to be ok. But it doesn't get better. You keep paying you taxes, and driving your car to work. You watch the mind control box at night when you get home while cramming down a heart stopping meal. Life revolves around comfort, and anytime something unpleasant comes on the tube, you can just change the channel. We ignore the things we don't want to see. We don't want to work towards the positive, because that would be too hard.
Protestors and activists have this golden vision of how the world should be, but the methods they use are working against them. Protesting en masse is good, rioting is not so good. Working to change goverment and corporate opinion is good, confirming these bodies opinions about the working class is not so good. Activism has to change the way it works globally before it can conquer global problems. Corporations and governments must also take a long view of the world beyond their high rise buildings and warehouses, and see the future they are creating can be deadly dangerous if it's built on a foundation of greed and shady dealings. Maybe then both sides will be able to sit at the same table and hash out their differences.
After all how can you have dialogue while shouting at one another?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
The splendour of the giddy little thrill
Enough trash talking. Let's get down to brass tacks. This blog is spiralling out of control with negativity! It's madness. If I go on any longer I may have to unleash the caps lock fury. Sufficed to say that I'm taking this post in a slightly different direction.
Have you ever laid in bed at night and then had this little sensation come over you (keep it out of the gutter folks), and wanted to chuckle for a while, or shove your partner out of bed just to play? Ever seen something on TV that was so awesome, that when you think of it it gives you a warmth down in the cockles of your heart? Have you ever felt the need to go happily crazy and just start doing random things that make absolutely no sense to anyone but you? This is what I like to refer to as the giddy little thrill. It's that point of euphoria that seems to randomly jump into our lives and makes you want to break out. You might get it from perusing past memories of your childhood, or thinking of that special someone. You might feel it while driving your car fast, or by stealing a magazine from your doctors office. Heck it might get that glorious feeling just before you need a real good bowel movement. It doesn't matter.
However it works out you find yourself inevitably kicking out the jams, or starting something that is at least for the moment spiritually uplifting. It likely will not make any great sense to anyone else but you, and in fact most people watching you might think you're pepped up on goofballs, but you'll know that what you're doing is awesome, consequences be damned! It's full steam ahead, outta my way, and look out world because you feel on top of Mount Awesome. You are bigger than Jesus, and you feel great.
The giddy little thrill is a momentary thing, which may be fleeting at best, but is so incredible that you crave crave more. Drugs don't give it to you. Booze doesn't do it either. Jumping out of a plane may or may not do it for you, because it'll likely be masked by overwhelming fear and excitement. The giddy little thrill is a small thing which seems bigger than it actually is. It's a random occurrence, as if it was sneaking up on you all day long and suddenly your set upon by it, and you can't turn off the smile even if you were arrested. You just want to shout, dance, play air guitar, and you want all kinds of other people to have the same feeling as well. A complete and unexpected moment of wonderful bliss and inspiration.
If you can capture that feeling in a day to day environment, be it at home or at work, savour it and hold on as long as you can. There's too much complaining and not enough laughing.
Now excuse me while I go rock out on top of my filing cabinet, and think about launching my rocket.
Have you ever laid in bed at night and then had this little sensation come over you (keep it out of the gutter folks), and wanted to chuckle for a while, or shove your partner out of bed just to play? Ever seen something on TV that was so awesome, that when you think of it it gives you a warmth down in the cockles of your heart? Have you ever felt the need to go happily crazy and just start doing random things that make absolutely no sense to anyone but you? This is what I like to refer to as the giddy little thrill. It's that point of euphoria that seems to randomly jump into our lives and makes you want to break out. You might get it from perusing past memories of your childhood, or thinking of that special someone. You might feel it while driving your car fast, or by stealing a magazine from your doctors office. Heck it might get that glorious feeling just before you need a real good bowel movement. It doesn't matter.
However it works out you find yourself inevitably kicking out the jams, or starting something that is at least for the moment spiritually uplifting. It likely will not make any great sense to anyone else but you, and in fact most people watching you might think you're pepped up on goofballs, but you'll know that what you're doing is awesome, consequences be damned! It's full steam ahead, outta my way, and look out world because you feel on top of Mount Awesome. You are bigger than Jesus, and you feel great.
The giddy little thrill is a momentary thing, which may be fleeting at best, but is so incredible that you crave crave more. Drugs don't give it to you. Booze doesn't do it either. Jumping out of a plane may or may not do it for you, because it'll likely be masked by overwhelming fear and excitement. The giddy little thrill is a small thing which seems bigger than it actually is. It's a random occurrence, as if it was sneaking up on you all day long and suddenly your set upon by it, and you can't turn off the smile even if you were arrested. You just want to shout, dance, play air guitar, and you want all kinds of other people to have the same feeling as well. A complete and unexpected moment of wonderful bliss and inspiration.
If you can capture that feeling in a day to day environment, be it at home or at work, savour it and hold on as long as you can. There's too much complaining and not enough laughing.
Now excuse me while I go rock out on top of my filing cabinet, and think about launching my rocket.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Farcical Reasonings
It's a slap in the face if they decide to go through with it. I am tired of seeing political ads on the television, which attempt to connect the party leaders to the common man. More specifically the ones dealing with the Liberal, and Conservative parties.
The very notion that we may be heading back to the polls again is very disconcerting indeed. Four elections in five years. It's got to be a record, and if so it's a stupid one at that. How in the name of the Gods does something this ridiculous happen? Are the party leaders so inflexible that they can't work with one another? I wouldn't say that, but I would say they are wholly irresponsible to let something like this happen yet again. All this political trash talking between the parties has become a major distraction, so much so to the point where I wonder if the business of Parliament has been conducted effectively at all. It's almost like a married couple arguing over whose turn it is to do the dishes, or better yet children on a playground fighting over the last swing. Looks like the term 'spare the rod, spoil the child' is suitable here. Someone needs to go to the House of Commons and start slapping people around, bellowing 'SMARTEN UP!' into a loudspeaker.
We elect government officials yet they never seem to listen to us, at least not anymore. Since when is an elected official not accountable to his or her constituents? When did we decide to let the running of the country fall to those whose morality is questionable, and ethical guide impaired? Why can't people work together to solve problems?????
I'll tell you why: closed minds. Representatives stand in the House of Commons to deliver a speech only to be shouted down by the opposition, meanwhile their own party members sit looking bored and uninspired. Maybe some of them should shut up, while others should sit up. With the party system we have now, good ideas may be flushed right from the get-go, because the person who proposes them are from the opposite party. Because they are the opposition, then the knee-jerk reaction is automatic, and they say 'Nay'. Party leaders lay out strategies to prevent the other parties from looking good, and politic in a way that would be contrary to the public good.
Debate is fine, but I'm all for letting a person have their say without hearing a lot of shouting from their opposition. Speak the idea, hear the idea, have your say without interruption, and then vote on it. How is that so hard? Let's just work together for once, instead of wasting time having back to back elections.
The very notion that we may be heading back to the polls again is very disconcerting indeed. Four elections in five years. It's got to be a record, and if so it's a stupid one at that. How in the name of the Gods does something this ridiculous happen? Are the party leaders so inflexible that they can't work with one another? I wouldn't say that, but I would say they are wholly irresponsible to let something like this happen yet again. All this political trash talking between the parties has become a major distraction, so much so to the point where I wonder if the business of Parliament has been conducted effectively at all. It's almost like a married couple arguing over whose turn it is to do the dishes, or better yet children on a playground fighting over the last swing. Looks like the term 'spare the rod, spoil the child' is suitable here. Someone needs to go to the House of Commons and start slapping people around, bellowing 'SMARTEN UP!' into a loudspeaker.
We elect government officials yet they never seem to listen to us, at least not anymore. Since when is an elected official not accountable to his or her constituents? When did we decide to let the running of the country fall to those whose morality is questionable, and ethical guide impaired? Why can't people work together to solve problems?????
I'll tell you why: closed minds. Representatives stand in the House of Commons to deliver a speech only to be shouted down by the opposition, meanwhile their own party members sit looking bored and uninspired. Maybe some of them should shut up, while others should sit up. With the party system we have now, good ideas may be flushed right from the get-go, because the person who proposes them are from the opposite party. Because they are the opposition, then the knee-jerk reaction is automatic, and they say 'Nay'. Party leaders lay out strategies to prevent the other parties from looking good, and politic in a way that would be contrary to the public good.
Debate is fine, but I'm all for letting a person have their say without hearing a lot of shouting from their opposition. Speak the idea, hear the idea, have your say without interruption, and then vote on it. How is that so hard? Let's just work together for once, instead of wasting time having back to back elections.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Jerks
They're everywhere. They work fast food counters. They scratch your car in the supermarket parking lot. They're in the media. And of course they're in politics. Yep. The people that run your country are jerks. Big jerks. Really big jerks. I want to swear when I write about them, but somehow that would take away from the tragic comedy known as Parliament.
When did it turn out that politics became about the party and not the people? Was it always like that? Have I been just that blind that I could see the forrest for the trees? Likely. Canada's political parties as of late have been a shadow of their former selves, all posture and no soul. They never had much a soul in the first place, but in past years I'm sure they had substance of some kind. In the news the last week or so the Liberal party has decided that it would no longer prop up the government, and that it would issue a motion of non confidence if it saw fit. Michael Ignatieff has yet to save the Liberals from their downward spiral, just as Stephen Harper looks like a prisoner being torn apart by horses in the arena. The stupidity of it all is that Harper is right by saying that no one wants an election right now. Irregardless of the economic situation, the war, and H1N1, or any other politicised reason, we-just-don't-want-it!
Canadians are sick and tired of being told what we want. Ignatieff has read the face of the public wrong if he thinks an election is a good thing right now. People were upset about voting the last time, less than a year ago in fact, and now he's pushing to take power. There's not one candidate for Prime Minister that I would willinging vote for right now. There's no candidate that has a solid plan that I can relate to, or one that has the charismatic potential to make me believe they're actually human. Our system of government is decent enough to survive more than a hundred years of use (in Canada that is), and has yet to be overthrown. But now each party spends more time jockeying for position, or puffing up to make themselves look bigger to the other guy. I'm so tired of listening to hot air being spewed in the nations capital. In all honesty if there could be a way to fire them all and start fresh, I think I'd be all for it.
This is ridiculous!
When are the parties going to stop bickering, shafting one another, and look critically at the problems of the country together? If they don't learn to work with one another then the outcome is relatively clear: absolutely nothing will get solved. It's not like these people have pent up frustration. They get more time off than I do, have likely more interesting jobs, and have the potential to accomplish a greater amount in their lifetime than I do. Instead they stab each other in the back every chance they get.
Shut up. Grow up. Work together. We have too many problems happening to listen to rhetoric crap from a bunch of jerks.
When did it turn out that politics became about the party and not the people? Was it always like that? Have I been just that blind that I could see the forrest for the trees? Likely. Canada's political parties as of late have been a shadow of their former selves, all posture and no soul. They never had much a soul in the first place, but in past years I'm sure they had substance of some kind. In the news the last week or so the Liberal party has decided that it would no longer prop up the government, and that it would issue a motion of non confidence if it saw fit. Michael Ignatieff has yet to save the Liberals from their downward spiral, just as Stephen Harper looks like a prisoner being torn apart by horses in the arena. The stupidity of it all is that Harper is right by saying that no one wants an election right now. Irregardless of the economic situation, the war, and H1N1, or any other politicised reason, we-just-don't-want-it!
Canadians are sick and tired of being told what we want. Ignatieff has read the face of the public wrong if he thinks an election is a good thing right now. People were upset about voting the last time, less than a year ago in fact, and now he's pushing to take power. There's not one candidate for Prime Minister that I would willinging vote for right now. There's no candidate that has a solid plan that I can relate to, or one that has the charismatic potential to make me believe they're actually human. Our system of government is decent enough to survive more than a hundred years of use (in Canada that is), and has yet to be overthrown. But now each party spends more time jockeying for position, or puffing up to make themselves look bigger to the other guy. I'm so tired of listening to hot air being spewed in the nations capital. In all honesty if there could be a way to fire them all and start fresh, I think I'd be all for it.
This is ridiculous!
When are the parties going to stop bickering, shafting one another, and look critically at the problems of the country together? If they don't learn to work with one another then the outcome is relatively clear: absolutely nothing will get solved. It's not like these people have pent up frustration. They get more time off than I do, have likely more interesting jobs, and have the potential to accomplish a greater amount in their lifetime than I do. Instead they stab each other in the back every chance they get.
Shut up. Grow up. Work together. We have too many problems happening to listen to rhetoric crap from a bunch of jerks.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Religious Ridiculousness
Lately I've been writing a lot about my own difficulties regarding my religious choices. Honestly I've been incredibly negative, but at the same refuse to apologize for anything written because it is how I feel.
Today I read an article through Witchvox about Asatru/Odinism in prisons and the problems with allowing this particular sect to flourish. Reading the article I became increasing frustrated. It seems that the alternate form of spirituality for the white supremacist movement is Norse style Paganism. Why oh why does this have to be? Why do social and political leanings of a particular group of people have to taint a wonderful spiritual path? The proud martial ideals that spring from Norse mythology should be a catalyst for growth for anyone who practices it. A spiritual discipline which helps to remove the chaff of the work-a-day world and brings you down to the raw strength of the warrior archetype, one who can battle against any odds and defeat any challenge. The pride of the warrior here is exploited. True pride should stem from ones ability to overcome difficulty and improve the world around them. To be able to say 'I did that', and know your work is well respected. After all there is nothing wrong with having pride in the things you do. The only time pride bites back is when it's unwarranted, or takes away from someone else.
White supremacists seem to play on this aspect, using it as a tool to recruit the youthful and foolish, which taints Asatru/Odinism and brings it low. But why stop there. There are plenty of other religions which generate their share of nuts, ruining it for everyone.
I read in the paper recently about a Christian religious leader who was having sex with girls as young as 12. Disgusting. I hear all the time about Muslim zealots who talk of destroying the state of Israel, and indoctrinate children to do their sinister will. There have been plenty of depraved stories about the Pagan community as well. Abuse through drugs and sex is no stranger to Paganism, as well as petty social ostracizing because someone won't do what the coven elder wishes. With all this taint, why would anyone want to practice any religion?
Practice indeed, what with all the foolishness that somehow gets generated by people with claims of 'God told me to', or 'It's the will of the Gods'. If somehow you find yourself agreeing with me on this, then ask yourself what you believe. Moreover ask yourself what do you need to feel spiritually fulfilled. I applaud those who take their spirituality personally, looking to rid themselves from the daily trappings of religious foolishness. Recently an old friend of mine wrote a message to people he knew, about his dissatisfaction with the Pagan community and all the problems he's encountered over the past few years. Reading his words I couldn't agree with him more, but where he applied it exclusively to his community, I would take snippets and apply it to all faith groups. I guess that's the good thing about being an eclectic. To quote one of my favourite movies: "They take what they want, and leave the rest. Just like your salad bar." The idea of religion is wonderful because it has the potential to bring people together. But being a human construct, religion has divided people. It causes them to narrow their focus, believe in only one thing, and causes them to say a myriad of things which are hurtful and generally untrue. It's like watching children argue on the playground about who's father is better.
Religion for the most part has the greatest potential for creating disaster on a grand scale, for the utmost trivial reasons. Belief in the spiritual or supernatural seems to attract the most perverse of social saboteurs, men and women who for their own reasons or madness, use their religious practices to finish whatever fiendish machinations they concoct. They attract followers and lead them down a path most dangerous, using their beliefs as tools to inspire, incite, and drive home their depravity. But seemingly normal people believe their rhetoric, and are willing to champion their causes, for whatever reasons, and only add to the terrible confusion and frustration.
I've read once that Paganism was the fastest growing religious philosophy in North America. But given all the problems associated with religious belief, I must wonder if Atheism will trump all the others. At least the belief that there is no higher power can sponsor a sense of control, and the vision of a rational future. No chariot riding men from the sky. No talking snakes. No space rocks sent by invisible Deities. Only reason and science. Rationality, and none of the prophetic mumbo-jumbo to go with it. 'Prove It' is the motto of the Atheist which only announces to the world the skeptical nature of their philosophy. Are they right? They are for them that's for certain. I for one find absolutely nothing wrong with their skepticism, and have a feeling that they'll be the ones who drive the trends of science and technology since they demand progress and evidence. But since they don't believe in the concept of a higher power, they have a tendency to turn up their noses at the beliefs of others. I have seen Atheist friends mock religious belief systems and the followers there of, which I find most disconcerting. Even in a reason based philosophy, there is still intolerance, which only further drives a wedge between the people of the world.
Foolishness seems rampant where ever you go these days, and much of it incited by religious beliefs. We have to change our ways or tragedy will befall us all. If we don't, at best our society will become bereft with people who are purely self serving, and at worst we will destroy ourselves.
Today I read an article through Witchvox about Asatru/Odinism in prisons and the problems with allowing this particular sect to flourish. Reading the article I became increasing frustrated. It seems that the alternate form of spirituality for the white supremacist movement is Norse style Paganism. Why oh why does this have to be? Why do social and political leanings of a particular group of people have to taint a wonderful spiritual path? The proud martial ideals that spring from Norse mythology should be a catalyst for growth for anyone who practices it. A spiritual discipline which helps to remove the chaff of the work-a-day world and brings you down to the raw strength of the warrior archetype, one who can battle against any odds and defeat any challenge. The pride of the warrior here is exploited. True pride should stem from ones ability to overcome difficulty and improve the world around them. To be able to say 'I did that', and know your work is well respected. After all there is nothing wrong with having pride in the things you do. The only time pride bites back is when it's unwarranted, or takes away from someone else.
White supremacists seem to play on this aspect, using it as a tool to recruit the youthful and foolish, which taints Asatru/Odinism and brings it low. But why stop there. There are plenty of other religions which generate their share of nuts, ruining it for everyone.
I read in the paper recently about a Christian religious leader who was having sex with girls as young as 12. Disgusting. I hear all the time about Muslim zealots who talk of destroying the state of Israel, and indoctrinate children to do their sinister will. There have been plenty of depraved stories about the Pagan community as well. Abuse through drugs and sex is no stranger to Paganism, as well as petty social ostracizing because someone won't do what the coven elder wishes. With all this taint, why would anyone want to practice any religion?
Practice indeed, what with all the foolishness that somehow gets generated by people with claims of 'God told me to', or 'It's the will of the Gods'. If somehow you find yourself agreeing with me on this, then ask yourself what you believe. Moreover ask yourself what do you need to feel spiritually fulfilled. I applaud those who take their spirituality personally, looking to rid themselves from the daily trappings of religious foolishness. Recently an old friend of mine wrote a message to people he knew, about his dissatisfaction with the Pagan community and all the problems he's encountered over the past few years. Reading his words I couldn't agree with him more, but where he applied it exclusively to his community, I would take snippets and apply it to all faith groups. I guess that's the good thing about being an eclectic. To quote one of my favourite movies: "They take what they want, and leave the rest. Just like your salad bar." The idea of religion is wonderful because it has the potential to bring people together. But being a human construct, religion has divided people. It causes them to narrow their focus, believe in only one thing, and causes them to say a myriad of things which are hurtful and generally untrue. It's like watching children argue on the playground about who's father is better.
Religion for the most part has the greatest potential for creating disaster on a grand scale, for the utmost trivial reasons. Belief in the spiritual or supernatural seems to attract the most perverse of social saboteurs, men and women who for their own reasons or madness, use their religious practices to finish whatever fiendish machinations they concoct. They attract followers and lead them down a path most dangerous, using their beliefs as tools to inspire, incite, and drive home their depravity. But seemingly normal people believe their rhetoric, and are willing to champion their causes, for whatever reasons, and only add to the terrible confusion and frustration.
I've read once that Paganism was the fastest growing religious philosophy in North America. But given all the problems associated with religious belief, I must wonder if Atheism will trump all the others. At least the belief that there is no higher power can sponsor a sense of control, and the vision of a rational future. No chariot riding men from the sky. No talking snakes. No space rocks sent by invisible Deities. Only reason and science. Rationality, and none of the prophetic mumbo-jumbo to go with it. 'Prove It' is the motto of the Atheist which only announces to the world the skeptical nature of their philosophy. Are they right? They are for them that's for certain. I for one find absolutely nothing wrong with their skepticism, and have a feeling that they'll be the ones who drive the trends of science and technology since they demand progress and evidence. But since they don't believe in the concept of a higher power, they have a tendency to turn up their noses at the beliefs of others. I have seen Atheist friends mock religious belief systems and the followers there of, which I find most disconcerting. Even in a reason based philosophy, there is still intolerance, which only further drives a wedge between the people of the world.
Foolishness seems rampant where ever you go these days, and much of it incited by religious beliefs. We have to change our ways or tragedy will befall us all. If we don't, at best our society will become bereft with people who are purely self serving, and at worst we will destroy ourselves.
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