(2PM EST – promoted by Nightprowlkitty)
I was sitting on my front steps the other evening talking to one of my favorite neighbors, a Democrat, and happened to mention that I couldn’t believe the congress put SS and by default, medicare, at risk in a supplemental funding bill for that damn war in Afghanistan. “What have we done, become, I am so damn angry at our country now.” Okay, I meant leadership which seems to be about 10 steps behind the polls. She narrowed her school marm eyes and started backing away (uh, uh) so in a placatory (and let’s face it, stupid move) I began talking about Obama’s penchant for charter schools instead of properly funded public schools and how I didn’t trust Obama. She turned and moved quickly away from the offending neighbor.
When living in Chicago, I often picked up my anti-war, anti-bombing of Iraqi children signs and walked down the street to the bus stop for the next rally. On the way to the bus stop, a large family of adults who always seemed to be home sat on their steps and glared at me muttering various and sundries which I couldn’t always make out – but words sometimes floated – “commie”, “bitch”, “terrorist lover.” Festooned on their porch and really any place where possible, were American flags. And they each wore pins, red, white and blue t-shirts, and a scowl for the unworthy traitor passing by. Ironically, I had a flag on my porch after 9/11 for about two weeks in honor of the victims and my uncles who had served (some died) in WW II, and my lefty friends disapproved. When my godchild visited from Italy where she lived now, she was confused at the proliferation of flags and other symbols. What was the purpose? I understood we needed to do something – a symbolic need, a communal need. My flag disappeared after a bit. Hmmm -who would do such a thing? BTW, at the beginning of our rallies, many bystanders hurled plenty of names at our somewhat small groups, which swelled and outnumbered them as the days passed.
One lovely fall day, when the large family of adults were moving out of the neighborhood, I noted in the alley about six flags which were thrown away and they were strewn on the garbage cans. It made me sad. Yeah, I picked them up. They are residing in my basement now neatly folded. I have to figure out what to do with them when I move.
The purpose of the foregoing narrative? Neighbors do not think as we do – even neighbors whom we like. And dissenters can love our country but want it to be better – or at least make the attempt. So you have to take the heat period or be quiet, for God’s sake. I had an Impeach Bush sign in my window for two years but at that time, people were beginning to think the war might have been a mistake – so only a few neighbors mentioned it uncomfortably – they didn’t agree. Fine, if they had to pass the sign every day – they have a right to mention it to me. As I had a right to put it there.
It’s just an eerie feeling that yet again neighbors are at odds about war. Me not imagining any intelligent, compassionate person doesn’t see the Afghan War for a blood sucking, black hole, a monster with tentacles reaching out to quiet American suburban neighborhoods – with beautiful gardens and wonderful old houses. They, questioning my authenticity as an American. Even on a practical basis – they do not seem to understand how the money wasted on that war is an unimaginable sin and killing us slowly. It could have been used in so many ways to benefit all of us – the Afghans for that matter. And as to our young military people – well, I have betrayed them. I see them sacrificed on behalf of greed and stupidity. That’s a huge chasm – and neither numerous flags, nor placards, will bridge it. Eventually, exhaustion seems to bridge it. Sad, tattered exhaustion.
Happy fourth to the idea of America and the citizens who struggle with that idea.
UPDATE: Go read Ian Welsh’s take on Afghanistan this morning and clear out your tear ducts. I have to stay away from the internet this am – I can’t live my life in a state of anger. I really don’t know how to quell it. These are the “folks” in charge. And they’re all blabbing as usual on Sunday am teebee. And not a bit embarrassed about themselves.
32 comments
Skip to comment form
The propaganda is subtle on the other side, but very effective. And when I say the other side, I mean our very own government in alliance with their corporate benefactors, identifying themselves with Theee Truth and letting everyone know it.
For example, just this morning I read that Hillary Clinton, in a speech in Poland, noted that “We must be wary of the steel vise in which governments around the world are slowly crushing civil society and the human spirit.” She pointed out Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela as examples.
I guess the fact that our own government outspends the entire world in military spending, invades other countries at will, denies its people a national healthcare system and warns its citizens to expect less from their government i.e. social programs, the very essence of civil society, is somehow forgotten by the propagandists and apologists (of our very own government), such as Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton et. al.
It’s obvious who is putting whom in a steel vice Hillary, the same little vice that you used to concern yourself with before you and Bill joined The Club. Such transparent bullshit; but many Americans just eat it up when served by the media on tasty platters of disinformation and lies.
I’ve experienced much of what you’re saying, as well. I confess, I continue to be amazed that “patriotism” to most means going along with these illegal wars of aggression, condoning killing, maiming, torturing, renditioning, polluting the air, the use of WMD’s and all that comprise these “wars.” Of course, we haven’t been “bled” enough over these years, now we should have our SS and Medicare stolen from us to help pay for these wars?
AARP has an action page: Keep Social Security Strong!
I have put away kid gloves! Here is my response:
I think you’ll be able to pick out my language!! 🙂
Author
psychologist Martin Seligman began a series of cruel experiments while at the University of Pennsylvania, investigating various aspects of animal behavior. One of his discoveries led to the coining of the term “learned helplessness”, a term oftentimes used to explain the origins of clinical depression. Some of the cognitive behavioral therapies to traat same attempt to challenge the faulty learning that oftentimes underlies such a crippling condition.
Durnig these studies, he placed would place a dog inside an enclosed cage that was divided into two compartments, separated by a wall that extended halfway from the floor toward the ceiling. This left an opening which allowed the dog to easily jump over the barrier to the other side.
At the beginning of the experiment, the floor, which was an electrified grid, would administer a shock to the dog. The victim quickly learned to jump to the other side to escape the shock.
Once this was learned, the barrier was extended from the floor to the ceiling, preventing escape to the other side of the cage. The dog then learned that there was no avenue for escape when the shock was administered.
The barrier was then returned to its original height, again allowing the dog to quickly escape from the administered shocks. Instead of doing so, the dog would instead crouch into the corner of that side of the cage, whimpering in pain. Even though a means of egress had been restored, the dog did not even realize that escape was again possible.
On a macro level, any would be dictator or oligarchy would hope to achieve a similar result while subjugating the masses to their domination.
Strategies to divide formerly allied factions within a society can help such a strategy to flourish, turning former friends into bitter enemies. As these former friends fight with each other, their rulers continue to construct the shark-infested moat that will eventually surround them all.
Could it happen here?
And does anyone really want to seriously consider this question for long?
Xanthe;
VFW, Elks, Boy/Girl scouts, some libraries, counties and town take care of proper disposal.
Great piece, I’m sitting here in the Flag shop on this beautiful warm summers day, should be off but I need the money, anyway it’s not to bad sitting here bare footed surfing the intertubes and waiting for a sale.
I wonder what goes through the minds of those folks like your former neighbors, the first to chant USA USA USA but they pitch the flag in the garbage and curse those patriotic citizens with the strength of character to express a different view from theirs. I wonder what my customers would think if they knew me to be a socialist or that I just received a Salwar Kameez (if they even know what a Salwar Kameez is)in the mail or that I think them mad and criminal for supporting these wars.
Oh well, they don’t and wont because my lively hood depends on them not.
Author
cooking is an enormous help to tamp down bad energy. I made a wonderful veggie stew, a so-so broccoli soup and now am cooking gravy (as we call pasta sauce in Chicago). Food is to be honored and it is a necessity but one which can be fancied up. Really, it is a joy to cook – I wish I could invite you all over – feeding good food to people is what cooking is all about.
Now for a cauliflower/garlic salad.