- This time the bullet cold rocked ya
A yellow ribbon instead of a swastika
Nothin' proper about ya propaganda
Fools follow rules when the set commands ya
Said it was blue
When the blood was red
That's how ya got a bullet blasted through ya head
“Bullet in the Head” – Rage Against The Machine
It happens, just like that. Some clip runs across a news ticker or some talking head says something with a quick-cut to somebody somewhere in the U.S. And you flip that corner.
You’ve fought it all your life, you didn’t want to believe - no way you could - possibly … ever … understand that mindset. But you do, and it enrages you further, driving your understanding.
You understand what could push one human being to pick up a firearm and point it against his own countrymen. You get revolution. And not in that made for television, Xbox/Sony Playstation way, but in the way that is ugly and bloody and brutal.
WHEN, in the Course of Human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bonds, which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's GOD entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the Causes which impel them to the Separation.
Could these words have ever be more true then they are today?
Left/rRight, black/white, rich/poor, gay/straight, all so-called issues that burn the political landscape. Red herrings all. Blocking attention from the larger issue, a magician's slight of hand.
Ignorance.
Ignorance of what they are doing to us no matter which political sheep’s costume they choose to wear.
The media deciding what we see, the corporations deciding what medications make the market, big oil writing energy policy and on and on and on.
And we allow it. Because we are ignorant.
We choose to accept their newscast, to buy their product, to support their campaign.
One never killed a frog by dropping it in a pot of boiling water. Instead you gently place the frog in a nice, warm pot and slowly boil it.
Wake up America, the temperature is rising.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - justoneman
Sound like a classic case of paranoia...
So whats the point and whats the solution?
JOM
2 - Cindy D
We slumber on in our untroubled sleep.
Don't we JOM?
Great piece of writing. Very powerful.
3 - Dave Nalle
I feel liberated now. Benjamin's photo is so disturbing that I no longer feel at all concerned about any of the somewhat creepy ones I've used in the past.
Dave
4 - justoneman
"The media deciding what we see, the corporations deciding what medications make the market, big oil writing energy policy and on and on and on."
Gee - I guess some people dont understand the concept of Free Will. The CubScout Leader who wrote this sounds worse than all of the victims he is calling out!
Cindy...go back to bed!
JOM
5 - justoneman
Disturbing? I thought was either his cub scout photo or an advertisment for Hee Haw!
JOM
6 - Benjamin Cossel
JOM,
Going after my hat? That's the bet you got? Nice. As to free will, of course I get it. I'm more along the lines of not sure why so many willing sacrifice it. Paranoid? Perhaps. Solutions? None yet, working on it.
7 - troll
....solutions - ?
here's one: avoid going for that 'bullet'
time to make a stand
8 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
Benjamin,
You really have to forgive JOM his comments. People with just one brain cell often have trouble discerning reality. It's the Christian thing to do, Ben.
By the way, nice hat.
9 - Clavos
Just what we needed: another Chicken Little...
"The media deciding what we see..." Umm, what about the internet? Who controls it?
"the corporations deciding what medications make the market" Did you forget about the FDA?
"big oil writing energy policy" Riiight. Like drilling wherever they want to. How many wells are there in ANWR? Offshore of Florida?
10 - Benjamin Cossel
Sure, the Internet is wide open in most places. But also so amazingly vast that unless you're really dedicated finding the information is like looking for the needle in the proverbial haystack. The FDA can only approve what comes before them and while we may not be drilling in ANWR but at the same token there's been absolutely no substansive changes to the MPG rating for new vehicles or improvement on the combustable engine in how many years?
Right or left, liberal or conservative, the folks on BC or who contribute to the political forums around the Internet are not those in which my angst is leveled. Its to the people who watch Ahmadinejad deliver his speech and ask "Whose that guy?" or those whose primary concern is what happened last night on "American Idol" or "Dancing Stars."
So, say what you will. I spent much time traversing this country of ours from west to east and everything in between and it's not pretty.
11 - Clavos
"So, say what you will. I spent much time traversing this country of ours from west to east and everything in between and it's not pretty."
I agree with you, Ben.
I just don't think you can lay all the country's woes at the feet of industry.
Though "Big" industry is the popular boogeyman these days, I lay much more blame on the apathy and ignorance you mention, but mostly on Congress, the administration, and the overwhelming ineptitude and corruption of Big Government and the people who work for it.
12 - Dr Dreadful
About the headgear: To me it looks more like an old Cavalry hat than a Cub Scout leader's (observe what appear to be crossed swords on it... not really what you'd want a bunch of eight-year-old boys to be running around with). Clav, you're into military titfers - what d'you think?
About Dave: Creepy photos you've used in the past?!? Your current one isn't exactly conducive to sound sleep... ;-)
About the article: Chicken Little indeed. No matter what point in history you pick, there's always going to be someone who thinks the world is going down the tubes. By all means be vigilant, but if you're going to convince us that we do indeed live in interesting times, you have to provide us with a bit more than an assemblage of revolutionary catchphrases.
13 - justoneman
Benjamin,
You really have to ignore Ruvy's comments. His yamkule is too tight on that little peanut of a head. People who live in the desert waiting for the end of the world often have trouble discerning reality (as examplifed in his ramblings).
JOM
14 - justoneman
Question for the group...
Do people who deliver the morning paper now qualify to call themselves "freelance journalist"?
JoM
15 - justoneman
Wait a minute..this post smells like pure plagarism!!!
I could have sworn I heard ___________ (insert your choice - Hillary, Biden, Edwards, Owhama and the chubby white guy claiming to be mexican) use these exact words in their last stump speach!!
JOM
16 - Clavos
Doc,
Yup. Sure looks like an old Cav hat to me...
17 - Dr Dreadful
JOM,
I actually do agree with you about the article (careful, don't fall out of your tree), but not about your spelling of yarmulke.
While we're on the subject of headwear (cavalry hats and the like) I do actually own a yarmulke, although I'm not Jewish. A friend of mine went to Israel and brought one back for me. It's rather nice. It's black and has grapes embroidered on it.
And, seeing as how your yarmulke simply sits on the back of your skull rather than pulled down on your head like a hat, it's kind of impossible to have one that's too tight.
18 - justoneman
Dread..have you ever seen Ruvys head??? Its smaller than a walnut!
JOM
19 - handyguy
The article could use a few specific, forceful examples. It's just nebulous paranoia as it stands.
But I differ with Clavos - certainly corporations, through mass advertising and through huge lobbying and political contributions, do more than their share of encouraging people to think in certain ways. But they're not a monolithic force pushing all in one direction. And there are lots of other forces putting out their own propaganda as well.
It is disturbing how many Americans are uninformed and apathetic about politics, world affairs, history. And that's how 'elites' get a chance to dominate the discussion. Conservatives point to elites as a bad thing. I'm not so sure.
20 - Clavos
I didn't absolve corporations of responsibility, Handy, though I may not have made that clear.
I did give heavier weight to public ignorance and apathy and to the various branches of government and their deadly mix of ignorance and corruption.
21 - justoneman
Handy,
Elite (also spelled Élite) is taken from the Latin, eligere, "to elect". In sociology as in general usage, the élite is a relatively small dominant group within a larger society, which enjoys a privileged status which is upheld by individuals of lower social status within the structure of a group.
Just because they are "elites" does not mean they are well read on worldy matters. For example how many people really take George Cooney, Brangelina, John Kerry and Al G(w)hore seriously!
They are elites because People, US magazine, CNN The NY Times and the Daily KOs..tell us they are!
JOM
22 - Dr Dreadful
JOM, unfortunately I have never had the pleasure of viewing Reuven's cranial appendage. There's been an alarming red X on his blog where his photo should be for quite some time.
In contrast, you, I am sure, have a vast head, packed all the way through with solid bone except for a microscopic space in the middle to accommodate the brain cell.
23 - justoneman
Dread you almost right...but your description
"a vast head, packed all the way through with solid bone"
more closely describes whats between my legs!!!
JOM
24 - Christopher Rose
JOM, so you really are a dick head?
Had to be said! ;-)
25 - justoneman
Now Chris...you should ask your mom about that! She knows what Im packin in my pants!
JOM