I must confess, I'm a science fiction/fantasy fanatic. Not so much as I used to be. Back when I was a teenager I could give a synopsis of just about every Star Trek episode ever made. Not all the new ones Hollywood keeps cranking out, but the original series. "To BOLDLY GO WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE!" That was a great show. My favorite character was the Starship Enterprise itself. The technology, the wonders, beaming from planet to planet, shooting through the universe, both known and unknown at warp speed. Probably my favorite episode was written by Harlan Elision. Its called "City on the Edge of Forever". In it, Kirk and Spock go back in time to depression era earth to find Bones, who had time traveled and somehow managed to change the course of history which caused the Federation to never have existed. Time travel. What a concept.
I guess you could say I'm a fan of Sci-Fi that deals with time travel. I find the subject fascinating. For one thing, despite what the most brilliant minds of our time say, is it even possible? Does time actually exist or is it just a human invention to keep the trains moving on time? I mean, before the first human felt his stomach grumble and asked himself 'I wonder if its lunch time yet?' did time exist? Does time exist to trees? How about clouds? Does time mean anything to an ocean?
Actually, time does exist. I have perfected a method of time travel that I offer free to anyone who wishes to use it. All I ask is for 50% of what ever money they make off it. Want to know what it is? Go look in a mirror. You are looking into the past. It took a finite amount of time for the light to bounce off you, reach the mirror and then return to your eyes. Granted, the amount of time you can look back into is imperceptibly small, but its still seeing into the past. Now you know why I don't hold much hope of getting rich off it.
I tend to think of time as a river. Huge, moving, constantly in a state of flux. I imagine each of us, in our own little rafts, flowing with the current, bouncing off each other and rocks and such, from the moment we're born, to the moment we die. We can try and paddle our way along, try to fight the current, try to steer, but more or less we're at the mercy of it. Some of us tie our little rafts together to help on the journey - family, friends, religious communities. And it does indeed help.
I was watching a Sienfeld rerun the other day, and Jerry had a pretty comical - and insightful - observation. He posits that you can tell the year a male hit his stride because he stops changing. His sense of style is set for the rest of his life. First got lucky in the 1960's? You're wearing jeans, sneakers and tie-dye for the rest of your life. As I pondered his thought, I looked at what I was wearing, and I had to admit, he's right.
And that brings us to today's thought. Us, in our little rafts, bouncing on this river, and people tossing out anchors to moor themselves to a certain point in their journey. You know what I'm talking about, that one point in your life where you finally believe you are on top, you have it right, you understand everything, 'splash' goes the anchor. No more change.
We may think we have it all under control, all figured out, but we don't. We may think we're standing in one place, but we're not. Even though we appear still, time, life, and every one else is floating on by us. Constant change, constant flux. I've often thought one of life's biggest ironies is that as humans, we are surrounded by change. Yet we strive for stability, which we can never attain. In other words, the only thing constant in our lives (and constant, stable is what we search for) is change itself. The only thing we can take to the bank that is 100% rock solid guaranteed is nothing is 100% rock solid. Everything changes. We can try and fight it, we can ignore it, we can pretend we don't see it, but it changes. Trust me on this one.
A couple of weeks ago I was listening to an interview on NPR radio with Spike Lee. He's making a documentary in New Orleans about the storm and flooding, and its affects on the city's population. During the interview the subject of Louis Farrakhan came up and his outrageous contention that the federal government blew up the levees in order to scatter the poor African American Democrat voters around the nation, diluting their political voice. Spike Lee said he considered it a possibility, and for evidence he points to the Tuskegee Experiment. For those unfamiliar with this dark time in American history, white physicians decided to use poor African Americans as a control group in studying the long term effects of venereal diseases. In other words, they went to the Tuskegee Institute for medication for their diseases, and the white physicians gave them placebos, and then watched the disease progress over decades. A truly shameful event in America's history. We Americans must do everything we can, not only to compensate those who suffered, but revamp the entire medical profession so that nothing like this ever, ever, ever happens again to our fellow Americans.
When Spike Lee first mentioned he wouldn't count out a 'white' plot, I shook my head in disgust. When he mentioned Tuskegee, I had to admit, he had a point. It wasn't all that long ago that African Americans were oppressed in this country by law. It was before my time. I was just a little kid when the Civil Rights Act and the Voter Rights Act were passed. My Uncle married an African American woman, and they had several kids, who I grew up with. So to me, I've never understood the concept of racism. I can't fathom why someone would think someone else is a lesser human based on something as ridiculous as skin color. I just can't get my mind around it. I know it exists, and I've seen evidence of it myself. But my brain just doesn't work that way.
There was a time when it was more or less illegal to be black in America. That was a long time ago. But you wouldn't know it by listening to some of the Civil Rights activists on the democratic side of the aisle. To hear Rev. Al Sharpton, or Rev Jesse Jackson (where's the separation of Church and State when you need it?), and others, you would think blacks are still being lynched in the streets. Congressman Charlie Rangel of NYC says the President is "our Bull Conner." In case you don't know who Bull Conner is, he's probably one of the greatest (anti) heroes of the Civil Rights area. How could a white sheriff, bent on destroying the Civil Rights movement, be considered a hero? Because he was stupid enough to do it in front of news cameras. Footage of him siccing dogs on peaceful demonstrators and using high pressure fire hoses to disperse the crowds, flooded the TV screens of middle America. That one moment in time changed America forever. And for the better. Now I'm not exactly sure how one could compare those images to the current President and come up with anything. The current President has appointed African Americans to the highest positions of power in government they've ever attained. Yet, when its time to compare him, they reach back in time to one of the most despicable individuals in our history. Why?
The obvious answer is money. I attend a Roman Catholic Church, and I must say I've never seen any of our clergy wearing $1,000 Armani suits. But more importantly than their pay checks, why use that image? Why use any image at all? I contend it's because they are trying to appeal to people who've tossed out the anchor on their little rafts, back in the era of Civil Rights protests.
For those who toss their anchor out on the journey of life, nothing changes. They are locked into a certain view, a certain set of circumstances, and that never changes. For some, that means, despite all the obvious changes in America since the Tuskegee Experiments, we're still no further along with race relations. And let me state perfectly clear, this is not limited to African Americans, or to Civil Rights. I merely use that as an example since it was Spike Lee's comments that sparked this train of thought. For an even better example, look to Archie Bunker. Even though the world was marching right past Archie, he was stuck in the 1950's, where everything was coming his way. That's actually the premise of the comedy 'All In The Family.' The contrast - and resulting humor - of Archie facing a changing world, while refusing to budge.
Feel free to go to Google some time and do a search on 'Breasts Not Bombs.' I'd advise you to do it before lunch, as I'm sure these women were much better looking forty years ago. But time marches on, and gravity can not be repealed. It ain't pretty. For many people on the left, the war in Iraq is nothing more than a copy cat of Vietnam. They hit their stride during the protests of the 1960's and 70's, and that where they tossed their anchor. I caught about 15 or so Grateful Dead concerts back in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Talk about an example of people tossing their anchors. An entire army of tie-dyed shirts, bandanas, Birkenstocks, listening to the same songs over and over for 30 years. Not that I'm picking on them, I saw some great shows and met some wonderful people. But for the hardcore Dead Heads, it will be the 1960's and 1970's forever. And that means all the baggage that comes with it.
As for me, I can't say if anyone who's tossed an anchor is wrong, or that I'm right. That's for each individual to decide for themselves. For me, I've pulled my anchor back in and I'm going with the flow. That means accepting the fact that whatever I know to be absolutely true, could very well turn out to be absolutely wrong. It means accepting not only new ideas and concepts, but it means accepting that life will continue to change, and to be ready for it. I occasionally toss my anchor out once in a while, I just make a point to remember to pull it back in, and get on with life. An anchor can be a wonderful thing, it can give you some perspective, it can give you a chance to catch your breath, it can give you the opportunity to hold on to something for a little longer than we normally would. But it also can be a hindrance. It can prevent us from trying new things, from seeing old things in a new light. It can allow us to freeze our opinions, our knowledge, our ideas, and not even notice the Tuskegee Experiment is getting to be a long time ago. It can prevent us from realizing that most of those white physicians are probably long dead, and their children and grandchildren would never even think of doing such an heinous act. Life marches on, even if we choose not to march with it. It can prevent us from realizing how the world is changing, and where its headed. And that is not good.
As I said, I've pulled up my anchor. I've set sail. I've got a few small and a few large rafts that I've tied myself to. But I'm heading on down that river. There are good times ahead, just as there are bad ones. But I don't fear the bad anymore than I intend hold on to the good ones longer than I should. Sure there's storms down river. But they're sometimes followed by rainbows. As Bob Dylan once sang, he not busy being born is busy dying. Anchors away!
Friday, November 18, 2005
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Happy Election Day 2005!
"A chicken in every pot."
"Tippecanoe and Tyler too."
"Happy days are here again."
"Don't stop thinking about tomorrow."
"Camelot."
"Help is on the way."
"If nominated, I will not run. If elected I will not serve."
Greetings, my fellow Americans! Today is a glorious day for America. Today is election day! Election day is a strange day in America. It's full of dichotomies, ironies, sarcasm and good old-fashioned, bare-knuckle politics. For weeks, in some cases months, we've been hit with a barrage of political mud, campaign smears, screaming, yelling, downright thievery. And all in the name of the grand old Red, White and Blue! You have to love it.
Locally, the big mayor's race has been splattered with anonymous mailings, stolen lawn signs, unsupported attacks, and charges of gross misconduct. Heck, after the PR blast I've been lambasted with, you'd think the FBI, the CIA, the ATF and the black helicopters would have already descended upon this quiet, upstate New York city. Why, one candidate for mayor even had the nerve, nay - the gall, to work in the public defender's office. How could I possibly even entertain the thought of voting for some one who's devoted their life to letting criminals get off free? Surely, upon the moment he would assume office, the city lockup would be emptied and the police department closed.
Its an exasperating time of year, no doubt. There's so much mud thrown around, that it is impossible to discuss any real issues or ideas. Many people get so turned off they won't even vote. I have a secret. I like it. I enjoy all the hubris that comes with election day. When I was younger, I used to campaign for politicians. It was a win-win deal. There's always a big party election night, and we either get to drown our sorrows, or celebrate our victories. Either way, it's free beer and food. I love America.
I guess what I'm so fond of us is two things. First off, I love the enthusiasm. Granted I believe 49.9% of the voters are complete idiots, for no other reason than they vote the other way. But still, it takes stamina, fortitude, and effort to last through marathon campaigns. These people, our fellow Americans, are passionate about their views. And they put that passion into their efforts, year after year, after year. Its not easy, I know. But still, there's a "Senior Day" from high school kind of carnival fun. Get out and work. Drop off flyers, knock on doors, man the phone banks.
But what I truly appreciate about all this effort is - we don't fight. Certainly some do, but those are very few incidents, and they usually occur in the big money races, not in local hometown politics. Here, about as bad as it gets is the occasional stolen lawn sign. And after the election is history, for the most part, we all go back to being neighbors. To think, that America, the most powerful nation in the history of the world can peacefully transfer power always amazes me. Every time I hear terms like "The People's Democratic Republic of North Korea", or "President For Life", I thank the good Lord for the blessing of being born in America. For all our problems - and there are many - we are still the freest nation on the face of this planet. And when we refuse to pick up guns, knives, clubs, and instead reach for petitions, flyers, and bumper stickers, a great thing indeed has happened once again. Absolute, irrefutable proof, that people of differing views can come together, hash it out, and then agree to live by the decision of the common man (and woman). Far too many of us don't realize what a great gift that is.
Secondly what I like about election day, is what it represents about America, American history, and humanity in general. We can get along - sort of. America wasn't the first democracy. I believe the first representative form of government belongs to the ancient Greeks in Athens. (Please excuse my public school education.) But that didn't last very long. The second was in Poland in the 1500's. That bit of information was related to me during a Polish Heritage Day Mass at my local Church. The Priest, who is from Poland, went on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on (I think that's the first time I ever heard a gentle, old Grandmother say in Church "Jesus Christ - is he ever going to shut up?") Poland toyed with the idea of democracy, and was promptly rewarded with having their entire nation partitioned between the neighboring kingdoms. Can't have the unwashed masses thinking they don't need kings to guide them through life.
But America is different. Here we don't despise the common man, we trust him. Recently I read 1776 by David McCullough, and I've learned just what was required of the common man in that year, so many decades ago. The common man rose up to defend his property, his family, himself, and his nation. And I might add, in 1776, the common man in America got his ass handed to him with a side of 'slaw by the King's army. Eventually, the common man, under the charge of General George Washington - and a host of other capable leaders and soldiers - won independence from Great Britain. And, what they won is so monumentally important, that only these words can begin to comprehend what we've won: "We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Those are powerful words. They don't just lay on the page like Dear Abby. They jump off the page, they grab you by the soul, and they burn in your heart. We don't need no stinking kings, or queens, or dictators, or military junta, or presidents for life to govern over us. We can do it ourselves. You, me, the nice lady next door, the directors of the funeral home whose garage is adjacent to my back yard (they are nice neighbors, very quiet). You, me, we, and all of us in this land can be trusted to determine for ourselves, what is best for us.
To me, many nations around the world don't seem to understand America very well. The answer is obvious. When Saddam ruled Iraq, whatever Iraq did was directly attributed to the despot. His will was law. In America it doesn't work that way. To me, America appears to be this lumbering giant, bouncing off the items in the world's china shop, banging off this, lurching into that. But the key is, it's not attributed to one person, because in America, it's not one person, it is all of us. (I bet Saddam still wonders why Bush just didn't pull out a pistol and shoot John Kerry during the first debate.) America doesn't appear rational, because 280,000,000 people aren't rational. But, to use Saddam as an example again, one person isn't necessarily rational either.
So in conclusion, enjoy the day. Celebrate it even. It was a dreadfully hard-fought right, to have a hand in choosing one's own destiny. The right has been defended many times, by many people, over many wars, over many decades. The decisions of America have hardly been always right. But they are the decisions of the common people, the ones who don't need a king, chosen by God, to rule over us. They are our decisions. And apparently, they've been right more times than wrong, or else we'd be ruled by a king, which we are not. So make sure today you vote and then go hoist a cold one (I'm talking beer, get your mind out of the gutter) and give a thanks to the common man who gave us this country, this opportunity. We are all the common man (and woman). And remember - all men (and women) are created equal. And they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.....
"Tippecanoe and Tyler too."
"Happy days are here again."
"Don't stop thinking about tomorrow."
"Camelot."
"Help is on the way."
"If nominated, I will not run. If elected I will not serve."
Greetings, my fellow Americans! Today is a glorious day for America. Today is election day! Election day is a strange day in America. It's full of dichotomies, ironies, sarcasm and good old-fashioned, bare-knuckle politics. For weeks, in some cases months, we've been hit with a barrage of political mud, campaign smears, screaming, yelling, downright thievery. And all in the name of the grand old Red, White and Blue! You have to love it.
Locally, the big mayor's race has been splattered with anonymous mailings, stolen lawn signs, unsupported attacks, and charges of gross misconduct. Heck, after the PR blast I've been lambasted with, you'd think the FBI, the CIA, the ATF and the black helicopters would have already descended upon this quiet, upstate New York city. Why, one candidate for mayor even had the nerve, nay - the gall, to work in the public defender's office. How could I possibly even entertain the thought of voting for some one who's devoted their life to letting criminals get off free? Surely, upon the moment he would assume office, the city lockup would be emptied and the police department closed.
Its an exasperating time of year, no doubt. There's so much mud thrown around, that it is impossible to discuss any real issues or ideas. Many people get so turned off they won't even vote. I have a secret. I like it. I enjoy all the hubris that comes with election day. When I was younger, I used to campaign for politicians. It was a win-win deal. There's always a big party election night, and we either get to drown our sorrows, or celebrate our victories. Either way, it's free beer and food. I love America.
I guess what I'm so fond of us is two things. First off, I love the enthusiasm. Granted I believe 49.9% of the voters are complete idiots, for no other reason than they vote the other way. But still, it takes stamina, fortitude, and effort to last through marathon campaigns. These people, our fellow Americans, are passionate about their views. And they put that passion into their efforts, year after year, after year. Its not easy, I know. But still, there's a "Senior Day" from high school kind of carnival fun. Get out and work. Drop off flyers, knock on doors, man the phone banks.
But what I truly appreciate about all this effort is - we don't fight. Certainly some do, but those are very few incidents, and they usually occur in the big money races, not in local hometown politics. Here, about as bad as it gets is the occasional stolen lawn sign. And after the election is history, for the most part, we all go back to being neighbors. To think, that America, the most powerful nation in the history of the world can peacefully transfer power always amazes me. Every time I hear terms like "The People's Democratic Republic of North Korea", or "President For Life", I thank the good Lord for the blessing of being born in America. For all our problems - and there are many - we are still the freest nation on the face of this planet. And when we refuse to pick up guns, knives, clubs, and instead reach for petitions, flyers, and bumper stickers, a great thing indeed has happened once again. Absolute, irrefutable proof, that people of differing views can come together, hash it out, and then agree to live by the decision of the common man (and woman). Far too many of us don't realize what a great gift that is.
Secondly what I like about election day, is what it represents about America, American history, and humanity in general. We can get along - sort of. America wasn't the first democracy. I believe the first representative form of government belongs to the ancient Greeks in Athens. (Please excuse my public school education.) But that didn't last very long. The second was in Poland in the 1500's. That bit of information was related to me during a Polish Heritage Day Mass at my local Church. The Priest, who is from Poland, went on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on (I think that's the first time I ever heard a gentle, old Grandmother say in Church "Jesus Christ - is he ever going to shut up?") Poland toyed with the idea of democracy, and was promptly rewarded with having their entire nation partitioned between the neighboring kingdoms. Can't have the unwashed masses thinking they don't need kings to guide them through life.
But America is different. Here we don't despise the common man, we trust him. Recently I read 1776 by David McCullough, and I've learned just what was required of the common man in that year, so many decades ago. The common man rose up to defend his property, his family, himself, and his nation. And I might add, in 1776, the common man in America got his ass handed to him with a side of 'slaw by the King's army. Eventually, the common man, under the charge of General George Washington - and a host of other capable leaders and soldiers - won independence from Great Britain. And, what they won is so monumentally important, that only these words can begin to comprehend what we've won: "We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, among them, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Those are powerful words. They don't just lay on the page like Dear Abby. They jump off the page, they grab you by the soul, and they burn in your heart. We don't need no stinking kings, or queens, or dictators, or military junta, or presidents for life to govern over us. We can do it ourselves. You, me, the nice lady next door, the directors of the funeral home whose garage is adjacent to my back yard (they are nice neighbors, very quiet). You, me, we, and all of us in this land can be trusted to determine for ourselves, what is best for us.
To me, many nations around the world don't seem to understand America very well. The answer is obvious. When Saddam ruled Iraq, whatever Iraq did was directly attributed to the despot. His will was law. In America it doesn't work that way. To me, America appears to be this lumbering giant, bouncing off the items in the world's china shop, banging off this, lurching into that. But the key is, it's not attributed to one person, because in America, it's not one person, it is all of us. (I bet Saddam still wonders why Bush just didn't pull out a pistol and shoot John Kerry during the first debate.) America doesn't appear rational, because 280,000,000 people aren't rational. But, to use Saddam as an example again, one person isn't necessarily rational either.
So in conclusion, enjoy the day. Celebrate it even. It was a dreadfully hard-fought right, to have a hand in choosing one's own destiny. The right has been defended many times, by many people, over many wars, over many decades. The decisions of America have hardly been always right. But they are the decisions of the common people, the ones who don't need a king, chosen by God, to rule over us. They are our decisions. And apparently, they've been right more times than wrong, or else we'd be ruled by a king, which we are not. So make sure today you vote and then go hoist a cold one (I'm talking beer, get your mind out of the gutter) and give a thanks to the common man who gave us this country, this opportunity. We are all the common man (and woman). And remember - all men (and women) are created equal. And they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.....
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
The World according to Bono
For some strange reason, I have a subscription to Time magazine. I probably keep it up for nostalgic reasons, more than anything else. Though after barely being able to read the last several issues, I believe I'm going to let it lapse.
This week's issue has a wonderfully optimistic and uplifting theme: "A special report on the world's most dangerous diseases- and the heroes fighting them." I guess they didn't feel they sufficiently scared the heck out of America with their last article on avian flu. I digress.
When I get Time I usually leaf through it first, see what's on the menu for this week. What I will make a point to read, and what I will make a point to ignore. When I reached the last page, the closing essay, I knew what was coming. It's titled "This generation's moon shot," and it's penned by none other than Bono. There's even a nice picture of him, trademark shades on. He's got the cutest little girl sitting on his shoulders, proving to all, he likes people, he's a nice guy.
In the name of full public disclosure, I like Bono. He seems to be nice enough, polite, chose the world's poorest of the poor as his personal charity, very admirable. I don't much like U2 though. I've never been overly impressed with The Edge's lead-guitar playing. All he does is put a delay on his guitar that's set to a harmonic of the lics he's playing. If I can figure that out, there's certainly not much meat to it. 'Still haven't found what I'm looking for' was one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar. So I don't have anything against U2, I don't see myself racing out to buy any of their CDs in the near future.
Back to Bono.
As soon as I saw the essay I knew what he was going to say. I knew it for a fact. And once again, I knew he'd be wrong. After reading, I was, unfortunately, proven correct.
Bono begins by sucking up to America, telling us how the US moon landing was an inspiration to his generation. Then he continues on with accolades on American rock and roll. So far so good. Personally I think Britain deserves as big an applause as America when it comes to rock and roll. Many great American rock and roll artists were severely limited in where they could perform for no other reason than useless, baseless racism. Some of those artists managed to make it to Britain where they were heard, copied, and then exported back to America. As for the US moon landing, yeah, that was way cool. Think about it. At one time in ancient history, the moon was worshipped as a God. And then mankind went to pay it a visit. I so wanted to be a space shuttle pilot. But again, I digress.
Then Bono makes a plea to re-energize that spirit and put it to work on a new issue, world poverty and disease. I'm with him on that. How could any sane person be against helping those in such dire need? I mean, this is a win-win issue for him. Its a win-win issue for humanity.
Then we reach his error. And its not just his error; many, many people make the same error. So many people, in fact, there's a name for this problem. Its called modern liberalism. And here's how Bono screws up:
"The question is now whether politicians will prove themselves the equal of scientists."
Did you notice it? Did you see it? Here's another one:
"We must keep the pressure on our governments if we want them to follow through."
Here's one last hint:
"As voters and taxpayers, we must give our leaders permission to invest just a fraction of our taxes...."
If you haven't figured it out by now, you should probably be reading essays over at the Daily Kos weblog. Bono makes the same mistake far too many people in this country make. Granted, he has an excuse, he's Irish (back off the jokes, so am I). But he wasn't born or raised in America. If you want to appeal to America, you start by appealing to Americans. Please don't tell us to sit back and suck it up while the federal government 'appropriates' another few trillions of dollars out of us. Anyone with 51% of their brain working properly knows the federal government fixes almost nothing, and instead, usually makes the situation worse. Can any one say 'New Orleans'? If Bono wants his appeal to fall on fertile ears, he should stop sucking up to the Bush administration, and take his appeal directly to the American people. And I don't mean the kind of person who goes to a rock concert, gets stoned off their ass, and then is convinced they saved the world. Convince me. Convince me its a worthy cause - and it is - then let me do something about it. I don't need Uncle Sam to tell me what's right, what's wrong, and what to do.
Too many people in this country, and this world, believe that people are helpless, they can't accomplish anything on their own, and we need big government to guide us, to protect us, shield us, feed us, house us, clothe us. We do not. Humans in general, and Americans in particular, can, have and do accomplish great feats all the time. Government did not invent the airplane, which is used today to move mountains of aid supplies to the very people Bono wishes to help. Government did not invent the trucks used to distribute the aid. Americans did. (I will note there is some controversy over who exactly invented the car, but there's no doubt which country made the automobile what it is today.)
To sum it up: do not ask me to insist my government collect more taxes, and then piss them away. Ask me to help. I will.
11/28/05 UPDATE: Bono really really likes his hat. Hat tip to Taranto.
This week's issue has a wonderfully optimistic and uplifting theme: "A special report on the world's most dangerous diseases- and the heroes fighting them." I guess they didn't feel they sufficiently scared the heck out of America with their last article on avian flu. I digress.
When I get Time I usually leaf through it first, see what's on the menu for this week. What I will make a point to read, and what I will make a point to ignore. When I reached the last page, the closing essay, I knew what was coming. It's titled "This generation's moon shot," and it's penned by none other than Bono. There's even a nice picture of him, trademark shades on. He's got the cutest little girl sitting on his shoulders, proving to all, he likes people, he's a nice guy.
In the name of full public disclosure, I like Bono. He seems to be nice enough, polite, chose the world's poorest of the poor as his personal charity, very admirable. I don't much like U2 though. I've never been overly impressed with The Edge's lead-guitar playing. All he does is put a delay on his guitar that's set to a harmonic of the lics he's playing. If I can figure that out, there's certainly not much meat to it. 'Still haven't found what I'm looking for' was one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar. So I don't have anything against U2, I don't see myself racing out to buy any of their CDs in the near future.
Back to Bono.
As soon as I saw the essay I knew what he was going to say. I knew it for a fact. And once again, I knew he'd be wrong. After reading, I was, unfortunately, proven correct.
Bono begins by sucking up to America, telling us how the US moon landing was an inspiration to his generation. Then he continues on with accolades on American rock and roll. So far so good. Personally I think Britain deserves as big an applause as America when it comes to rock and roll. Many great American rock and roll artists were severely limited in where they could perform for no other reason than useless, baseless racism. Some of those artists managed to make it to Britain where they were heard, copied, and then exported back to America. As for the US moon landing, yeah, that was way cool. Think about it. At one time in ancient history, the moon was worshipped as a God. And then mankind went to pay it a visit. I so wanted to be a space shuttle pilot. But again, I digress.
Then Bono makes a plea to re-energize that spirit and put it to work on a new issue, world poverty and disease. I'm with him on that. How could any sane person be against helping those in such dire need? I mean, this is a win-win issue for him. Its a win-win issue for humanity.
Then we reach his error. And its not just his error; many, many people make the same error. So many people, in fact, there's a name for this problem. Its called modern liberalism. And here's how Bono screws up:
"The question is now whether politicians will prove themselves the equal of scientists."
Did you notice it? Did you see it? Here's another one:
"We must keep the pressure on our governments if we want them to follow through."
Here's one last hint:
"As voters and taxpayers, we must give our leaders permission to invest just a fraction of our taxes...."
If you haven't figured it out by now, you should probably be reading essays over at the Daily Kos weblog. Bono makes the same mistake far too many people in this country make. Granted, he has an excuse, he's Irish (back off the jokes, so am I). But he wasn't born or raised in America. If you want to appeal to America, you start by appealing to Americans. Please don't tell us to sit back and suck it up while the federal government 'appropriates' another few trillions of dollars out of us. Anyone with 51% of their brain working properly knows the federal government fixes almost nothing, and instead, usually makes the situation worse. Can any one say 'New Orleans'? If Bono wants his appeal to fall on fertile ears, he should stop sucking up to the Bush administration, and take his appeal directly to the American people. And I don't mean the kind of person who goes to a rock concert, gets stoned off their ass, and then is convinced they saved the world. Convince me. Convince me its a worthy cause - and it is - then let me do something about it. I don't need Uncle Sam to tell me what's right, what's wrong, and what to do.
Too many people in this country, and this world, believe that people are helpless, they can't accomplish anything on their own, and we need big government to guide us, to protect us, shield us, feed us, house us, clothe us. We do not. Humans in general, and Americans in particular, can, have and do accomplish great feats all the time. Government did not invent the airplane, which is used today to move mountains of aid supplies to the very people Bono wishes to help. Government did not invent the trucks used to distribute the aid. Americans did. (I will note there is some controversy over who exactly invented the car, but there's no doubt which country made the automobile what it is today.)
To sum it up: do not ask me to insist my government collect more taxes, and then piss them away. Ask me to help. I will.
11/28/05 UPDATE: Bono really really likes his hat. Hat tip to Taranto.
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