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Last week I came across a few situations that made me re-think the present state of affairs. Please find below a small list of perceptions that led me to believe that the world needs to have the stone of madness removed from its head:
A woman walks to and fro, in a street; or even leans against a wall (waiting for someone: a friend; husband; boyfriend, girlfriend, whatever)…
Instead of minding its own business, the mind immediately starts directing a porn movie: “oh no, a whore in my neighbourhood!”
A man sees a little kid in a park; then greets and starts a conversation with him...
Back in the days, this scene would generate the following thought “Oh, how sweet...this man will be a good father one day!” however today the immediate accusatory thought would be “A damn paedophile is on the loose!”
Someone comments “It is not natural to be gay!”...
A collective hysteria takes place accusing that individual of being homophobic and wanting to attack Gay Civil Rights.
A single young lady practices kick-boxing and during practice gets a black eye...
The cloud of commiseration is sent towards her and someone might even suggest her to go to the police, press charges against her man and to move into a shelter.
A straight young man is, in a beach, with his friends drinking and partying. At a certain point he hugs one of his mates and a photo is taken...
People look at the photo and think “I didn’t know that X was gay!” as if heterosexuals couldn’t hug each other or hold hands without having their sexuality threatened (ask Zambian men: they hold hands in the streets)
A lady has a trust fund. She buys her own Aston Martin V8 Vantage. She is married.
Folks, on a gridlock, will look at her wheels and think “Oh, she married a rich bloke and he bought her a fancy car! He must be cheating on her!”
A black person, in Kensington (U.K), leaves his house and opens the door of his Porsche Cayman S.
This scene is witnessed by a person raised in a country where black people are practically underdogs, who screams “Dad, call the police! A black man, across the street, is stealing a car!”
-------
The examples are too many to add here. Suffice it to say that they depict the insanity going around in our society.
We seem to be incapable of looking at people without stretching reality; without passing judgement; without yielding to paranoia and bigotry.
Yes, the world is a perplexing place but then again it has always been; the only difference is: yesterday we were able to navigate upon the magic carpet of innocence and generosity (despite all the perils) and today we are so cynical that we travel upon the corroded carpet of amoral morality.
Image: The Cure of Folly (extraction of the Stone of Madness) by Hieronymus Bosch
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Dissecting Society™ welcomes all sorts of comments, as we are strong advocates of freedom of speech; however, we reserve the right to delete Troll Activity; libellous and offensive comments (e.g. racist and anti-Semitic) plus those with excessive foul language. This blog does not view vulgarity as being protected by the right to free speech. Cheers
Hi Max,
ReplyDeleteHow are you my darling?
Ah madness, there seems to be an abundance of this malady these days. Let's see what you have observed.
"...the mind immediately starts directing a porn movie: “oh no, a whore in my neighbourhood!”
The mind is a great entertainer isn't it? It provides everything including the popcorn, that's why we have meditation to mind the mind.
"A man sees a little kid in a park;"....
People react to what they are accustomed. Everything we see, hear or read is a part of our psyche and the mind rehashes, trying to match pictures with events, situations, sensations, etc. It matches what we know and what we think we know, but it is not always right. We have to think outside of the box. Mental constructs holds us back from accessing the situation on it's own merit.
“It is not natural to be gay!”...
Media plays on our fears and perpetuates them to hysteria.
"A single young lady practices kick-boxing and during practice gets a black eye..."
I have seen this. The same thing happens with parents. When their child has a genuine accident and they take the child to the hospital, the parents are put through the third degree.
"This scene is witnessed by a person raised in a country where black people are practically underdogs..."
I have seen this too. Police have a tendency to stop certain drivers driving certain cars.
Suffice it to say that we all have built in prejudices from our experiences. Some are harder to shake than others, but if we stop long enough to actually observe ourselves and not others, we would see that we are all the same underneath the skin.
Bravo. Well done!
Judgement Free Cheers!
I hate the pedophilia paranoia. Of course, I take the threat seriously but I think these days people can be accused so easily it's not even funny. One of my friend was recently telling me he couldn't help her daughter get dressed for her dance class anymore, because parents were banned from the locker room altogether. The kid is 3 years old! How is she supposed to get dressed totally by herself?!
ReplyDeleteAs for the woman standing in the street waiting for someone, that's often me. :-) And God knows I'm a proper woman! :-D
Hi Max,
ReplyDeleteyour post is exactly true, i have this feeling of being doubly entertained and even smiling what the heck these people think of others' actions...we no longer leave in a world of innocence but quoting your words...'we live in a world corroded with carpet of of amoral morality...'
yes, as if all people could easily pass judgment on other people's action..why is it so?
i guess news and print media have something to do with this...what the people see and read in there, they would magnify when they see the actual but innocent actions...
i feel sad how corrupt and amoral are the thoughts of people nowadays!
Hi Max!
ReplyDeleteLOL Interestingly I was just watching the news and said to my dear wife “the world is losing its mind” then I beam over to your place and find this theme…timely as well as thoughtful…
While I agree with your conclusions let me pass the puck with a few thoughts…
We have the rapid rise of globalization and cultural integration along with the presentation of information on such a massive scale that it cannot be comprehended by scope or scale. All of this is painted upon the panorama of mercurial and rocketing inundations. We also live in a world where many disclaim absolute truth which removes solid touch stones upon which assessments are rationally made.
We simply cannot keep up with change; our current frames of reference are washed away in the blink of an eye and much of this is inaccurate, convoluted or is purposeful disinformation. Frequently I find people that are blind to the facts of history and this is unfortunately filled with popular group think. The herd mentality is comfortable when engaging with overwhelming information and change.
This is not our parent’s world…it is already not our world…and the wealth of our metaphorical children’s children has already been spent…one cultural tsunami, economic earthquake, political hurricane, social tornado and technological volcano is following the other…and it all happened before you woke up in the morning…
Lady Alexys!
ReplyDeleteSo California rightfully rejects the druggy legalization law but then votes in the bankrupting Dems again…is California delusional or on drugs?
Even many of my lefty friends here in Canada are thinking California is losing its mind…
Hi LS/Max,
ReplyDeleteCalifornia must be stoned. And I mean it - both ways.
We seem to be going to hell in a borrowed handbasket.
Thanks for noticing.
Can it be that everything has moved so fast and has become so complex, that we are all in a state of collective fear and shock over all the things we cannot control?
ReplyDeleteI agree, my dear Max, that our reactiveness is a form of insanity.
X Girls…
ReplyDeleteThe situation in California is scary…its like watching a train wreck in slow motion that any moment now is going into hyper drive.
However on the economic side perhaps it does make sense…could it be that all the lefties actually want to redistribute all of their wealth to China via interest payments on the colossal loans they are taking out with them? However the problem is they also seem to want to redistribute everybody’s wealth to China…
On the sociological and psychological sides it could be that inner self hatred (the US is a bully and does not deserve its place of primacy etc) which is self destructive playing out in votes and horrid financial mismanagement (similar to the widely held conspiracy theories blaming the US and Bush for 9/11)…
There are only three questions…when exactly will California hit the wall, can the changes in Washington make enough of a difference to alleviate the impending doom…and will the situation be irretrievable?
Now…you guys owe Canada lots of money also…and I for one will take either Hawaii or Alaska as a pay off (we will also take Sarah Palin)…but you can keep California, Palosi and Obama…
Care for some ice tea? ;)
Max you got it all right. The world then (many moons ago) was much different. I remember those days when we left the home in the morning, and come back home for the lunch and dinner, spent days in the neighborhood running around - I am talking being 5-6 year old. Here now today parents are much paranoid, I will be too.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you remember any of that - in the old days Russian leaders, even man in our family used to kiss on the lips, lol. You don't have to guess when one would do that again today, and what people would say.
Dear Max, you got excellent points. We are living in the different times, and it will be interesting how it all change in the future.
Hope all is well, I will email you later dear. Anna :)
Hi Lady A :D!
ReplyDelete"How are you my darling?"
I am peachy, darling; thanks ;D!
"The mind is a great entertainer isn't it? It provides everything including the popcorn, that's why we have meditation to mind the mind."
LOL yes, it is. Aaahh, beautifully said "meditation to mind the mind"..indeed, indeed. I like mental popcorn but I prefer the real one: tastier lol ;).
"It matches what we know and what we think we know, but it is not always right. We have to think outside of the box. Mental constructs holds us back from accessing the situation on it's own merit."
Totally agreed.
"Media plays on our fears and perpetuates them to hysteria."
You know it! It is even tiresome. Did you hear that story about a school official who bashed a gay kid (that committed suicide after being bullied), and gays in general, on his FB page? Appalling *nodding*...
"I have seen this. The same thing happens with parents. When their child has a genuine accident and they take the child to the hospital, the parents are put through the third degree."
Oh yeah...it has happened to my mother when my brother was a kid *nodding*.
"I have seen this too. Police have a tendency to stop certain drivers driving certain cars."
I know what you mean...
"Suffice it to say that we all have built in prejudices from our experiences. Some are harder to shake than others, but if we stop long enough to actually observe ourselves and not others, we would see that we are all the same underneath the skin."
Amen to that, sista!!! ^5
"Bravo. Well done!"
Thank you *bowing*!
Lady A, brilliant comment for which I thank you a million times :D!
Free Your Mind & Spirit Cheers
Hi Zhu :D!
ReplyDelete"I hate the pedophilia paranoia. Of course, I take the threat seriously but I think these days people can be accused so easily it's not even funny."
I loath paedophilia but I so know what you mean.
"One of my friend was recently telling me he couldn't help her daughter get dressed for her dance class anymore, because parents were banned from the locker room altogether. The kid is 3 years old! How is she supposed to get dressed totally by herself?!"
You see: good parents pay for bad parents. And perhaps that school has had some incident in the past and now it is trying to protect itself...who knows?
"As for the woman standing in the street waiting for someone, that's often me. :-) And God knows I'm a proper woman! :-D"
LOL LOL LOL LOL...I hear you!
Zhu, thank you so much for your awesome input :D!
Cheers
Hi Amity :D!
ReplyDelete"yes, as if all people could easily pass judgment on other people's action..why is it so?"
Because some people are like that, my friend...I haven't reached a conclusion on why though...
"i guess news and print media have something to do with this...what the people see and read in there, they would magnify when they see the actual but innocent actions..."
You may be right on that one; but again...blaming the media is easy: where does our self-accountability lie?
"i feel sad how corrupt and amoral are the thoughts of people nowadays!"
Don't...just pray for them so the Light can shine upon them :D.
Amity, thank you so much for your delightful input :D!
Cheers
Hi LSus :D!
ReplyDelete"LOL Interestingly I was just watching the news and said to my dear wife “the world is losing its mind” then I beam over to your place and find this theme…timely as well as thoughtful…"
LOL wow...that can't be a coincidence lol ;).
Thank you, my friend *bowing*.
"We also live in a world where many disclaim absolute truth which removes solid touch stones upon which assessments are rationally made."
So, you reckon the problem lies in denying God as the Absolute Truth?
"We simply cannot keep up with change; our current frames of reference are washed away in the blink of an eye and much of this is inaccurate, convoluted or is purposeful disinformation."
We can, but maybe we don't want to (for several reasons).
"Frequently I find people that are blind to the facts of history and this is unfortunately filled with popular group think. The herd mentality is comfortable when engaging with overwhelming information and change."
So true *nodding*. Again, you are right...
"This is not our parent’s world…it is already not our world…"
Well, evolution often walks hand in hand with devolution...
"(..) and the wealth of our metaphorical children’s children has already been spent…one cultural tsunami, economic earthquake, political hurricane, social tornado and technological volcano is following the other…and it all happened before you woke up in the morning…"
Here we go...it hasn't been spent now, man. It has been spent a long time ago....
Perhaps these are the signs of a new Dawn...who knows!
LSus, an amazing comment: thank you ever so much :D!
Cheers
Hi Lynda :D!
ReplyDelete"Can it be that everything has moved so fast and has become so complex, that we are all in a state of collective fear and shock over all the things we cannot control?"
It could be...but since when do we have control over whatsoever?
"I agree, my dear Max, that our reactiveness is a form of insanity."
*Bowing*...
Lynda, a fabulous comment: thank you so so much :D!
Cheers
LSus and Lady A,
ReplyDelete"…could it be that all the lefties actually want to redistribute all of their wealth to China via interest payments on the colossal loans they are taking out with them? However the problem is they also seem to want to redistribute everybody’s wealth to China…"
LOL LOL that was a good one. But I ask: are things that linear?
"On the sociological and psychological sides it could be that inner self hatred (the US is a bully and does not deserve its place of primacy etc) which is self destructive playing out in votes and horrid financial mismanagement (similar to the widely held conspiracy theories blaming the US and Bush for 9/11)…"
Indeed, there are some who practice self-hatred in the US (and in every country in the world, LS).
Man, financial mismanagement is the word of the day, everywhere in the globe. However, let's not forget that the current US financial crisis was not created by the current administration. As much as I sympathised with President Bush, we must admit his administration brought about this current crisis, yes? Plus, the Senate and Congress helped President Bush ruin the economy, didn't they? And now they are helping President Obama with...hindering progress. I ask, where is the American Pride? Whatever issues Americans (read: lawmakers) have with President Obama they should just join hands and work for the common project: the advancement of the USA.
Unless, the US wants to give way to China...
"Now…you guys owe Canada lots of money also…and I for one will take either Hawaii or Alaska as a pay off (we will also take Sarah Palin)…but you can keep California, Palosi and Obama…"
LOL LOL LOL well, I am sure many in the US would give you Sarah Palin any time: just say when and where the "Package" should be dropped LOL LOL *nodding*.
"Care for some ice tea? ;)"
Yes, please...no sugar.
Hi Anna :D!
ReplyDelete"I remember those days when we left the home in the morning, and come back home for the lunch and dinner, spent days in the neighborhood running around - I am talking being 5-6 year old."
I remember that too.
"Here now today parents are much paranoid, I will be too."
LOL I hear you.
"I don't know if you remember any of that - in the old days Russian leaders, even man in our family used to kiss on the lips, lol. You don't have to guess when one would do that again today, and what people would say."
Oh yes, I remember quite well. LOL LOL you are right, today they'd be accused of being gay or something like that.
"Dear Max, you got excellent points. We are living in the different times, and it will be interesting how it all change in the future."
Thank you *bowing*. Now you have said it all...it will be rather interesting to see how things will unfold in the future: will things get better or worse than now?
"Hope all is well, I will email you later dear."
All is well, thanks, lovely :D. I am looking forward to it :)...
Anna, thank you so much for your wonderful comment :D!
Cheers
LS/Max,
ReplyDeleteLS,
We have already hit the wall. Hawaii and Alaska are mine. I won them in a poker game. We actually gave Canada a bonus - Randy Quaid. Pelosi will be there soon. She's still under the illusion that she has power.
Palin is mine. I could listen to that accent all day, "Don't cha know?"
Max,
I don't know why LS is airing California's dirty laundry here. I think he needs to be reprimanded.
Hi Max,
ReplyDelete"Did you hear that story about a school official who bashed a gay kid (that committed suicide after being bullied), and gays in general, on his FB page? Appalling *nodding*..."
That's despicable. It's an awful portrait of society that seems to be getting worse. Social networking is becoming social disaster.
Being here is my pleasure. You don't have to thank me.
Happiness Cheers!
Lady A/LS,
ReplyDelete"Palin is mine. I could listen to that accent all day, "Don't cha know?""
LOL LOL LOL LOL....
"Max, I don't know why LS is airing California's dirty laundry here. I think he needs to be reprimanded."
I don't know either; it's not like it is his geographical crib, know what I'm saying?
I think he wants to be punished by us LOL...he does it on purpose.
Lady A,
ReplyDelete"That's despicable. It's an awful portrait of society that seems to be getting worse. Social networking is becoming social disaster."
It is. So so true *nodding*.
"Being here is my pleasure. You don't have to thank me."
:D
Happiness Cheers
Wow Max quite interesting...world is changed in so many ways I guess... Even I remember 10 years ago it was totally different... I think change is good at some extent... It's like your life you do need to have change in your life and as you move forward your life change too so world do change after a while.
ReplyDeleteNice topic I love it
Have a wonderful weekend.!
Love
Sabi Sunshine
X Girls…
ReplyDeletePART 1
“Media plays on our fears and perpetuates them to hysteria”
- Are you saying there is an organized conspiracy by the media to play on fears? Or is it not organized yet there is group-think that acts as glue in presenting events in such a manner. Hysteria does not just have to be rolled into fear it has also been presented with “hope and change”.
For example look at the election that swept Obama into office…this is the man who said “this was the moment…when the rise in the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal” and the media certainly aided and abetted his deceptive rise…wittingly or unwittingly? I love this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGD5O8_Thhk
ROFL ROFL ROFL
“So, you reckon the problem lies in denying God as the Absolute Truth?”
- I suggest that there is certainly absolute truth even if people say they deny it (of course they also frequently appeal to it anyways). Yet it is this fog of thinking (yes akin to the fog of war) that people like to intellectually drain themselves. The current fiscal situation is a great example, people may press socio economic precepts and dogma that seem rational but are in actuality driving civilization on a suicide run…when political fantasy hits financial reality…the money wins…
"We simply cannot keep up with change; our current frames of reference are washed away in the blink of an eye and much of this is inaccurate, convoluted or is purposeful disinformation."
We can, but maybe we don't want to (for several reasons).
- Extrapolate?
PART 2
ReplyDelete“Here we go...it hasn't been spent now, man. It has been spent a long time ago....Perhaps these are the signs of a new Dawn...who knows!”
- Oh it could certainly be a new dawn but new Dawn? Things are not near bad enough for Armageddon yet…Perhaps the fall of the “American Dream”…however I am hopeful that with the results of the recent election the US will be able to leash up some of the governmental economic terrorists…
“LOL LOL that was a good one. But I ask: are things that linear?”
- Well I presupposing that they must be intelligent enough to see the disaster they are creating…perhaps they are just plain stupid? Obama seems intelligent but is an ideologue that will not separate from socialist (or even communist) dogma. I am hoping that he is more pragmatic like Clinton…but so far he still seems lost in left field…
“let's not forget that the current US financial crisis was not created by the current administration. As much as I sympathised with President Bush, we must admit his administration brought about this current crisis, yes?”
- No. The economic tsunami started in the 90’s with Clinton as President and the Republicans in Congress. They changed Freddie and Fanny into organizations that gave money to people that should never have had it. Clinton pushed for this as it was part of his plan to provide housing for poor black people (noble but misguided as the reality is not economically prudent). Bush tried to put the brakes on it but at that point the Dems owned both Houses. It was thus an unstoppable wave; however Bush was in grave error in trying to use a stimulus package to stop it. Obama then flooded his nation with debt, blew it with GM and Chrysler and the others they bailed out and took over, (cash for clunkers was idiotic) everything that you economically do wrong he has done it. Many on Wall Street also dropped the ball in that they risked far too much capital in to dangerous a manner (and so did others around the world).
So both political parties are to blame (including Clinton and Bush)…but Obama has done more damage in the past two years than Clinton and Bush did in the proceeding 16 years…Obama has added fuel to the fire at strategic times causing almost irreparable harm…and catastrophic damage…wrong man at the wrong time with the wrong socio economic dogma…
“I could listen to that accent all day, "Don't cha know?"”
- It is interesting how some prejudiced people think that the accents of Bush and Palin make them sound unintelligent and uneducated but at least they answer questions with a straight answer (unless it threatens national security) unlike Obama who prevaricates and vacillates
“Randy Quaid”
- Never heard of him before he and his wife fled California because of being “threatened”…frankly the way California is his rambling silliness seems more plausible every day! LOL
California is very entertaining…how often do you see an entire state slide into the abyss?
LS/Max,
ReplyDeleteHysteria usually comes with a side of fear, that’s the whole point. They scare you into submission - into thinking like them and being like them - because they are afraid to be themselves and have an original thought/opinion.
Organized hysteria is the masses call to order. It’s designed to distract and dispense misinformation while the real masters work in the background to “reorganize” the disorganization - that equals hysteria. (Falling off of my soapbox.)
I actually agree with LS on the economy (Pinching myself to see if I am awake.) It’s too involved for me to chose which aspect to comment, but LS, you have covered quite a bit. I am impressed. I can verify everything you have mentioned.
I genuinely could listen to Palin's accent all day. I have a penchant for accents, that’s one reason that I love Michael Caine. I could listen to his accent all day. I will say that Palin gets a raw deal in the media.
Come on, how could you not have heard of Randy Quaid? The brother of Dennis Quaid. Didn’t you see the films, Kingpin; Midnight Express; Caddyshack; he’s practically a legend (in his own mind.)
California is entertaining; Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world don’t cha know.
As far as sliding into the abyss, California is resilient. With all of the collagen, Botox and overall phoniness, we will be just fine.
Say cheese.
Teachers are also in the firing line when it comes to this, especially male teachers.
ReplyDeleteThey are advised for example, that under no circumstances should they attend to an injured female student if there is a female teacher on hand. When delaying any type of first-aid they can also be held to ridicule if anything untowards was to eventuate.
Be it to save any accusations of impropriety this can be a recipe for disaster.
The same thing for hugging students which is frowned upon. Consoling crying students in my day, by way of a hug was accepted, not now of course.
Both examples here show what the world has come to. Frightened by false accusations, lawsuits, fuelled by media hype, the small minority of wrong doers, one has to be on their toes at all times. Mores the pity.
Take Care,
Peter
Hey Sabi :D!
ReplyDelete"Wow Max quite interesting...world is changed in so many ways I guess... Even I remember 10 years ago it was totally different... I think change is good at some extent..."
I totally know what you mean: the world seemed more relaxed a decade ago *nodding*. But, like you said, change can be good.
"It's like your life you do need to have change in your life and as you move forward your life change too so world do change after a while."
True.
"Nice topic I love it"
Thank you, I am glad you loved it *bowing*!
Sabi, thank so much for your comment :D.
Cheers
LSus,
ReplyDeletePART I
"- I suggest that there is certainly absolute truth even if people say they deny it (of course they also frequently appeal to it anyways). Yet it is this fog of thinking (yes akin to the fog of war) that people like to intellectually drain themselves."
I see...*taking notes*...
"The current fiscal situation is a great example, people may press socio economic precepts and dogma that seem rational but are in actuality driving civilization on a suicide run…when political fantasy hits financial reality…the money wins…"
Political fantasy? Portugal is experiencing that...no doubt...
"- Extrapolate?"
Let's just say that change brings confrontation and most humans hate being confronted with the truth and the Truth. So, it is not a question of not being able to cope with change; it is a question of not wanting to cope with it. Plus, there are those who enjoy confrontation but it is not appealing for them to change (for several reasons).
PART II
ReplyDelete"- Oh it could certainly be a new dawn but new Dawn? Things are not near bad enough for Armageddon yet…Perhaps the fall of the “American Dream”…however I am hopeful that with the results of the recent election the US will be able to leash up some of the governmental economic terrorists…"
Armageddon? Oh no, I was not referring to that (I had to believe in your sense of Armageddon first).
American Dream...I think it is still on; although on a different scale. Things never remain the same; and I believe some Americans are having a hard time accepting that things have changed; the world has changed and so has the "American Dream" they knew.
And what will happen if Republicans don't manage to straighten things up, as they dream they can? What will you say then?
"- (...) Obama seems intelligent but is an ideologue that will not separate from socialist (or even communist) dogma. I am hoping that he is more pragmatic like Clinton…but so far he still seems lost in left field…"
President Obama is intelligent (even if he were a socialist; which he is not). However, he does seem to sway to the left in some issues, I give you this much (nevertheless he is far from being a socialist or even a red - come on!).
Like you, I am hoping that he will see the light soon...maybe he can learn from the Republicans (now that they are in a better position to help their President [lol])...I know he might be willing to do so...I am not so sure about the Reps, though.
"- No. The economic tsunami started in the 90’s with Clinton as President and the Republicans in Congress."
LSus,
ReplyDeleteLSus,
PART III
I understand what you're saying...notwithstanding when President Clinton left office the US was with a surplus; the same cannot be said of President Bush.
The process, the means, is not what should concern us; the end is what should interest us; right? And President Clinton did well. Thus, technically, President Bush messed the economy up and President Obama inherited it.
"They changed Freddie and Fanny into organizations that gave money to people that should never have had it."
At the time it was a necessary mechanism. Plus, the Bush administration could've either changed it or obliterated it...why didn't it?
"Bush tried to put the brakes on it but at that point the Dems owned both Houses."
True... but it was poorly negotiated because even many Reps had an interest in keeping things the way they were...that's politics for you.
"Obama then flooded his nation with debt, blew it with GM and Chrysler and the others they bailed out and took over, (cash for clunkers was idiotic) everything that you economically do wrong he has done it."
First of all, bailout money is to be paid back with interest; it was not a hand-out.
I could agree with you (that it was a wrong move) if I couldn't see the broader picture. So, according to you, the present administration (not President Obama alone) was supposed to let millions of people put further pressure on government (by seeking unemployment subsidies) instead of fighting to keep the biggest number possible of people working and paying taxes...Hmmm...I see your point.
"Many on Wall Street also dropped the ball in that they risked far too much capital in to dangerous a manner (and so did others around the world)."
What most financial brokers did, around the world (following the US example), was criminal. Playing with financial papers knowing that they were junk and yet making billions out of it...although smart it was criminal. And because they showed this amount of contempt for investors (mainly the small investors) they need a temporary leash.
"- It is interesting how some prejudiced people think that the accents of Bush and Palin make them sound unintelligent and uneducated but at least they answer questions with a straight answer (unless it threatens national security) unlike Obama who prevaricates and vacillates"
That is absurd. It is not an accent that rates the level of intelligence in humans. It is what is produced by their mind; and in Sarah Palin's case...nothing intellectually profitable is produced.
To put President Bush and Palin in the same statement is insulting to Pres. Bush (who is an intelligent and generous man).
LS, do not tell me that your mind doesn't understand the intellectual sophistication of President Obama? I don't believe it, for you (at times) answer questions just like him...should we infer that you prevaricate and vacillate?
Hi Michael Olivia :D!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the MAX experience!
And thank you for your proposal: I will think about it :D!
Cheers
Lady A,
ReplyDelete"It’s designed to distract and dispense misinformation while the real masters work in the background to “reorganize” the disorganization - that equals hysteria. (Falling off of my soapbox.)"
True.
"I actually agree with LS on the economy (Pinching myself to see if I am awake.) It’s too involved for me to chose which aspect to comment, but LS, you have covered quite a bit. I am impressed. I can verify everything you have mentioned."
Oh yes, LS is very good in collecting data and in quoting.
"I genuinely could listen to Palin's accent all day. I have a penchant for accents, that’s one reason that I love Michael Caine. I could listen to his accent all day."
I love accents myself...from everywhere in the world. As long as the person conjugates the verbs properly and respect grammar, the accent is not an issue (in fact it is part of an individual's cultural identity).
"Say cheese."
Cheese! lol...
Hi Peter :D!
ReplyDelete"Teachers are also in the firing line when it comes to this, especially male teachers."
Yes, indeed they are.
"They are advised for example, that under no circumstances should they attend to an injured female student if there is a female teacher on hand. When delaying any type of first-aid they can also be held to ridicule if anything untowards was to eventuate."
You are so right, Pete *nodding*.
"Both examples here show what the world has come to. Frightened by false accusations, lawsuits, fuelled by media hype, the small minority of wrong doers, one has to be on their toes at all times. Mores the pity."
*nodding in full agreement*!
Peter, thank you so very much for this awesome comment: you have added another fine example :D!
Cheers
X Girls…
ReplyDelete“Hysteria usually comes with a side of fear, that’s the whole point. They scare you into submission - into thinking like them and being like them - because they are afraid to be themselves and have an original thought/opinion.”
- - Merchants of fear are sad…it is particularly bad when it comes form the left who claim to be the compassionate ones!
“Organized hysteria is the masses call to order. It’s designed to distract and dispense misinformation while the real masters work in the background to “reorganize” the disorganization - that equals hysteria. (Falling off of my soapbox.)”
- - Hmmm sounds like a conspiracy theory…I think there is a lot more chaos in the mix. Certainly there can be group think which was common with the Obama election but I think his intentions are good just seriously and tragically misguided…the worst part is how the media fell for the whole thing (I suppose excluding Fox News and US talk radio).
“I actually agree with LS on the economy (Pinching myself to see if I am awake.) It’s too involved for me to chose which aspect to comment, but LS, you have covered quite a bit. I am impressed. I can verify everything you have mentioned.”
- - Alexys dear did I mention your hair looks lovely? The difficulty is politics is hard work and very messy, democracy is not for the faint of heart. I think most politicians go into it with the best of intentions but then smack up against the system. But we should not forget that elections and democracy replace civil war so it can be ugly at times. Truly in the US the liberals and conservatives are almost on other planets. It is unbelievable that Palosi kept her job! Are the Dems on a political suicide pact? Are they that dumb, that incompetent, that altruistic in their socialism/communism or have they truly lost their minds? I think it is altruism, they really think that Marxism works…they slept thru the Cold War…however on the financial collapse both parties can take the blame!
Palin’s new TV program is a wonderful travelogue for Alaska, simply beautiful! A lot of people hear her accent and that of Bush and think they are stupid…and they are dead wrong…just like people are fooled by Obama’s Jedi mind trick speeches…
Ohhh I have the soundtrack for Midnight Express (I am not old enough to have seen Caddyshack ;) …I don’t keep up on the celebrity stuff…That being said his resume seems rather scanty…
Los Angeles? That is south of Hollywood North right? ;)
LOL We have our share of plastic bags full of salt water stuffed under the chest skin…
Maximus…
ReplyDeletePART 1
“Let's just say that change brings confrontation and most humans hate being confronted with the truth and the Truth. So, it is not a question of not being able to cope with change; it is a question of not wanting to cope with it. Plus, there are those who enjoy confrontation but it is not appealing for them to change (for several reasons).”
- - Hmm interesting…I will let that one ride…
“American Dream...I think it is still on; although on a different scale. Things never remain the same; and I believe some Americans are having a hard time accepting that things have changed; the world has changed and so has the "American Dream" they knew.
And what will happen if Republicans don't manage to straighten things up, as they dream they can? What will you say then? “
- - Oh Hopeless in Chains like Hope and Change eh? So destroying the economy of the US is the plan? Hey I have already said both US parties are party to the origins of this economic situation. However Obama is a drunken sailor with their economy…he is a disaster! This could be the worst case ever of wrong person at the wrong place at the wrong time. LOL I am an equal opportunity sofa politician! The republicans also do a lot of dumb things…However Obama is starting to make Bush look pretty good!!!!! LOL
“I understand what you're saying...notwithstanding when President Clinton left office the US was with a surplus; the same cannot be said of President Bush.
The process, the means, is not what should concern us; the end is what should interest us; right? And President Clinton did well. Thus, technically, President Bush messed the economy up and President Obama inherited it. “
- - First of all remember I had said well before the election that Hilary would be better than Obama…Clinton presided over the dotcom disaster! The US economy in the US was already on borrowed time and money…and the US debt and deficit was terrible…then came along 9/11 which is a game changer. However Bush blew it with the first bail out (translation huge redistribution of the wealth of children, grand children and great grand children of the US to China). Obama however has translated this debt into epic even Biblical proportions (that is about as Biblical as he gets!!!! LOL)
LS: “They changed Freddie and Fanny into organizations that gave money to people that should never have had it."
MAX: “At the time it was a necessary mechanism. Plus, the Bush administration could've either changed it or obliterated it...why didn't it?”
- - It was never necessary! It was ridiculous and horrid economics, you would never run your personal budget that way! Actually early in his term Bush did try to change it but the Dems controlled congress and would not allow it, then 9/11 occurred. He could never get them to move on it…the Dems still want to continue the spending binge! And the Republicans let if go on then shame on them also!
PART 2
ReplyDeleteLS: "Bush tried to put the brakes on it but at that point the Dems owned both Houses."
MAX: True... but it was poorly negotiated because even many Reps had an interest in keeping things the way they were...that's politics for you.
- - The Dems owned both houses so Bush could never get it to change…look the Dems were in denial all along and most still are!
“First of all, bailout money is to be paid back with interest; it was not a hand-out.
I could agree with you (that it was a wrong move) if I couldn't see the broader picture. So, according to you, the present administration (not President Obama alone) was supposed to let millions of people put further pressure on government (by seeking unemployment subsidies) instead of fighting to keep the biggest number possible of people working and paying taxes...Hmmm...I see your point. “
- - GM deserved to die as a company. Certainly its resources and people would resurface in various ways, refined and distilled to be better. The Markey place is the best “force” to decide the success and failure of products, services and companies…supply and demand…
“What most financial brokers did, around the world (following the US example), was criminal. Playing with financial papers knowing that they were junk and yet making billions out of it...although smart it was criminal. And because they showed this amount of contempt for investors (mainly the small investors) they need a temporary leash.”
- - caveat emptor…
“That is absurd. It is not an accent that rates the level of intelligence in humans. It is what is produced by their mind; and in Sarah Palin's case...nothing intellectually profitable is produced.
To put President Bush and Palin in the same statement is insulting to Pres. Bush (who is an intelligent and generous man).”
- - LOL LOL Obama still does know what jihad means! LOL LOL Real smart…
“LS, do not tell me that your mind doesn't understand the intellectual sophistication of President Obama? I don't believe it, for you (at times) answer questions just like him...should we infer that you prevaricate and vacillate?”
- - LOL I am but a simple humble observer…not the one who claims he will slow the rise of the oceans!!!! LOL
LS/Max,
ReplyDeleteHi Max,
LS and your knowledge on American politics is impressive.
LS, you are on a roll. I totally agree that many politicians have good intentions, after all the road to hell was built on good intentions. Once they get in there, it's probably too seductive to do the right thing and they become corrupt by the poisoning of the lobbyists and the power players.
I don't know what's wrong with the Democrats; they are gluttons for punishment. Have you heard, they just re-elected Pelosi.
Palin's show broke records with 5 million viewers. See, I told you that accent is intoxicating, "Don't cha know."
One day you are both coming to Hollywood to see what I have seen. "I have seen the horrors..."
LSus,
ReplyDeleteVery interesting comments; it sounded like the old times (good and bad).
"- - It was never necessary!"
Were you at the US government at that time? It is easy to judge when one doesn't sit in office.
"Actually early in his term Bush did try to change it but the Dems controlled congress and would not allow it, then 9/11 occurred."
As I said, it was not well negotiated; besides some Reps were not interested in changing things either. 9/11 distracted everybody, and not just in the US.
"- - The Dems owned both houses so Bush could never get it to change…look the Dems were in denial all along and most still are!"
Not an excuse. Even Portugal is managing to get bi-partisan deals (shockingly); it was long and hard but they did it.
"- - GM deserved to die as a company. Certainly its resources and people would resurface in various ways, refined and distilled to be better. The Markey place is the best “force” to decide the success and failure of products, services and companies…supply and demand…"
Are you repeating FOXNews or do you really think that?
You, in all honesty, think that it had been better to worsen the situation and let millions of people unemployed for the sake of what, exactly? While the market place would decide the fate of GM (and the car industry)...how would people manage? Unemployment subsidies?
It was bad enough the plants that were closed and the thousands of people that were laid-off.
Anyway, good news: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11782261
"- - caveat emptor…"
Most definitely.
"- - LOL LOL Obama still does know what jihad means! LOL LOL Real smart…"
I didn't quite follow you on this one...
"- - LOL I am but a simple humble observer…not the one who claims he will slow the rise of the oceans!!!! LOL"
LOL yeah, right!
Lady A & LS,
ReplyDelete"One day you are both coming to Hollywood to see what I have seen. "I have seen the horrors...""
LOL LS, we must go one day and visit Lady A. What do you say?
X Girls…
ReplyDeleteLOL Well I saw the US today while out for a walk…obviously we have the same TV shows and we receive talk radio etc from the US, plus I go to the US all the time as Vancouver is so close that most normal people would be quite aware of the situation in the States...I happen to quite enjoy watching what is going down just over the border…
Alexys you make some good points about how politicians get to Washington and (or other capitals etc) and the system chews you up and spits you out…everybody wants to change the system, Bush and Obama both wanted to change the system…It is one of the reasons many want smaller government so it has a smaller impact…
Still what of those in the electorate that keep voting in the leeches? California being the case in point…and with Pelosi and the Dems…wouldn’t she be better off in Venezuela?
The cinematography of Palin’s show was spectacular; Alaska looked great (the bears were beautiful). It was humorous and they were not afraid of showing the Governor speaking intelligently and being silly while climbing Mt. McKinley (the tallest mountain in North America). It was great watching her interact with her kids and with her husband Todd…looks like next week will be the fish and gun episode…
LOL I have been to Hollywood and environs many a time but yes it would be nice to meet at Starbucks and see the other eye of Alexys and either of the eyes of Max…surely those would not be horrors?
Maximus…
ReplyDelete“Very interesting comments; it sounded like the old times (good and bad).”
- Bad? Oh girl be easier on yourself ;)
“Not an excuse. Even Portugal is managing to get bi-partisan deals (shockingly); it was long and hard but they did it.”
- - I am hoping that on some things there will be no compromise…the tax cuts need to be extended, no more stimulus spending, decreases in wasteful government spending and Obamacare must go…now As a Canadian I can say the US and Canadian medical systems are both broken in different ways…we both need to reform our systems however Obamacare is a snare and a disastrous idea…
LS: "- - GM deserved to die as a company. Certainly its resources and people would resurface in various ways, refined and distilled to be better. The Markey place is the best “force” to decide the success and failure of products, services and companies…supply and demand…"
MAX: Are you repeating FOXNews or do you really think that?
“You, in all honesty, think that it had been better to worsen the situation and let millions of people unemployed for the sake of what, exactly? While the market place would decide the fate of GM (and the car industry)...how would people manage? Unemployment subsidies?
It was bad enough the plants that were closed and the thousands of people that were laid-off.”
- - LOL LOL First I am smart enough to come up with my own ideas…I watch listen and read the full spectrum of opinions…Obama and his Dem henchmen borrowed gazillians of dollars in loans with interest from other countries to help GM compete against its competitors…GM had a bad business plan, sold bad products and provided bad service so it should have been able to die as the marketplace wanted. However Obama puts the full force of the US government behind GM and against its competitors (Currently GM is making some money at the expense of other auto manufacturers. The US government is purposely hurting other auto manufacturers to help its own company). If GM’s employees had value they would finds other jobs…supply and demand the market place decides…vote with your dollars…if I worked for Toyota I would be more than upset…I want to put my competitors out of business…
LS: "- - LOL LOL Obama still does know what jihad means! LOL LOL Real smart…"
MAX: I didn't quite follow you on this one...
I am talking about this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VFs2cjKeYQ
Max/LS,
ReplyDeleteLS, you are a man of many talents; not bad for a Canuck. I will try to watch the show next week or at least see parts of it on the internet. The previews look stunning.
Maybe all of us will head up to Alaska one day and have an audience with Palin.
X Girls…
ReplyDeleteLOL Alexys darling are you looking for somebody to sponsor an exodus from the Goldless State? LOL Did you do a double take to see if I actually said “Godless state”?) You know it may become a trend…as Americans flood north to Conservative Canada…
“Not bad for a Canuck” Hmmm…checking…currently the Vancouver Canucks are in 6th place in the NHL…I am sure you know plenty of snow geese in your area…you know you should be playing my Fantasy Hockey game…Max is in it and she rocks (she has a large fan base here in Vancouver because of it)…
Palin was hilarious when climbing…I am a climber so it killed me…In episode 1 there is a scene where the family is fishing in this gorgeous area and some bears show up and jump in the water beside them etc…A snippet:
http://www.youtube.com/user/tlc?blend=1&ob=4#p/c/F8DCC88CD4BAE7BF/1/MEwo5KI6G3g
http://www.youtube.com/user/tlc?blend=1&ob=4
I know some people that can’t stand her simply because she has so much positive energy, they think it is phony…but I know some people just like Sarah and find them inspirational…I don’t agree with everything she says and does but it is interesting how so many in the media have a hate on for her…but love Obama…ok well Max is the same as MSNBC *ducking*
LS/Max,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links. Beautiful cinematography. Maybe I should go fly fishing, but it's so hard to catch those flies. ;D