Silent Consent

Frank Rich's sobering, must-read Op-Ed in this past Saturday's NYT has served to finally shine a spotlight on the real issue at play in today's Tea Party movement.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/opinion/28rich.html

His breakdown of the current (supposedly Healthcare related) divide in this country has, in my mind, put the onus of any violent, hate-related outcomes squarely at the feet of those who've given legitimacy to the radical fringe of this movement.  As Don Corleone would say, "I'm a superstitious man..."

For better or worse, in this country we elect based on a two-party system.  And like it or not, 'Tea Party' has become synonymous with 'Republican.'  As stated by Rich, 76% self-identified.  So when Dems stand in opposition to statements made by TP members, they're naturally seen as simply mouthing the usual left-wing 'talking points.'  You say, "I consider myself a conservative but I don't subscribe to the violence-inciting rhetoric."  I'm glad to hear it, but I'm afraid it can't end there.  Because it isn't just about GOP leadership lending their support by standing up and speaking at TP rallies.  When you talk with your normally like-minded, conservative friends and notice their words beginning to skew from legitimate opposition to hate speech, it becomes you're responsibility speak up.  And if you're not inclined to do so, you might want to check to make sure that the hateful words you're hearing aren't coming from your own mouth.

-TRS

Steal

Willy Wonka Walken

Bonobo-a-GoGo!

One of my earliest childhood memories is sitting down on a Sunday afternoon to watch Marlin Perkins and his Mutual of Omaha's 'Wild Kingdom.'  If you remember it at all, you might recall that it wasn't exactly a show about herbivores gathering berries and nuts in peaceful harmony.  In fact, the only time you'd see a 'peaceful' animal is when it was being eaten by a big fucking tiger.  I suppose the program appealed to my youthful, savage side. Marlin was the minister of primal carnage and I was his minion.  But times change and with the years came the wisdom that peaceful animals can actually be the wildest animals of all!  As proof, I submit to you.......the Bonobo.



Look at that happy fella!  And believe me, his shit-eating grin is well founded.  Ok, I know what you're thinking and yes, while he is an ape and does resemble the chimpanzee, I assure you, the bonobo is a different species entirely.  There are numerous differences that separate the two but one of the clearest is also the thing that makes the bonobo one of the wildest animals in the Congo.  S-E-X.  It's their currency, it's their language, it's their whole reason for being.  It's how they greet each other, it's how they resolve conflict, and once the conflict is resolved, guess how they celebrate. (see pic above) According to primatologists, they are believed to be the only non-human species to engage in face to face sex, oral sex and french kissing.  Before a meal, they have an all-hands orgy to allow for 'peaceful feeding.'  And as you might imagine, they don't exactly discriminate when it comes to partners.  The only 'pairing' they seem to shy away from is Mother/Son.  (cuz that's just gross)  But otherwise, if there's a bonobo within arm's reach, it's business time.  They are, without a doubt,  the undisputed Swingers of the Jungle!

So as we sit comfortably atop the evolutionary ladder, looking down at our closest relative in the animal kingdom, the real question would seem to be, which of our species is truly more evolved?  'Make Love Not War' is just a bumpersticker to us.....a dream scenario.  And guess who's livin' the dream.

-TRS

Dave Balzac on drums

FRESH POT!!!!!  Gotta love it...

Frum on today's GOP

Ladies and Gents, it takes balls to hold a mirror up to your own party when the truth is as ugly as it is undeniable.  Today's traditional conservatives are being forced to choose sides within their own party as their leadership, instead of attempting to expand the base, make shockingly poor political calculations that threaten to shrink it even further.  Hat's off to David Frum for going there.  Like it or not, truth to power is exactly what the GOP needs right now.  The real question is, will he become a pariah for it?  The answer could tell us all we need to know.

http://www.tvo.org/TVO/WebObjects/TVO.woa?videoid?42071156001

Healthcare Edition

So I recently had a spirited back-and-forth with my brother-in-law over the healthcare bill that currently sits in Congress.  He took the usual right-wing stance of 'not in my back pocket' while I was firmly entrenched on the other side.  This debate took place on FB, so others chimed in as well.  As I read the opinions from the opposite side, one thought kept popping into my head.  Jesus didn't have to pay taxes.

Over the years, Americans have proven themselves to be a most generous people.  Take the recent tragedy in Haiti.  In the aftermath, an immediate call for financial assistance rang out and Americans from all 4 corners heeded that call.  Many self-identified 'Christians' decided to give simply by asking themselves: "WWJD?"  The money rolled in and the charitable nature of our people became a source of pride for us, both individually and as a nation.  Now take the ongoing tragedy known as 'healthcare in America.'  Don't think it qualifies as a tragedy?  What would you call the yearly, preventable loss of tens of thousands of American lives, in numbers that dwarf 9/11?  Loss that occurs simply because these souls could not afford life.  That's the tragic reality.  For a growing number of our citizens, life in America has literally becomes too expensive to sustain. So let's fix it, right???  Yeah, right.

I have no doubt that every rational American sees the flaws in our healthcare system and understands that a fix is needed.  "Yeah, I know it....I just don't want to pay for it."  What?  Do you really think you and your loved ones are so far removed from this crisis that it can't devastate your lives as well?  Lose your job and try paying out-of-pocket for healthcare.  One trip to the ER and I promise you, the urgency of this crisis will become all too real.  But that hasn't happened yet, right?  And you take care of your family, so why should you have to help John Q. Neighbor across the street take care of his?  For the same reason you helped that Haitian family you saw suffering on the evening news.  It's the right thing to do.  The 'Christian' thing.  Only problem is, this tragedy can't be addressed with a one-time donation to the Red Cross.  It will take some genuine sacrifice.  Bottom line: either you care about helping your fellow man or you do not.  "WWJD?"  You know the answer.  The question is, will you continue to ignore it?

-TRS