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September 8, 2004E Pluribus UnumThis election must not be allowed to be only a referendum on George Bush. If we allow this to be the dominant issue, we lose. Anybody but Bush is a losing strategy. The coming election is about the future path we will chose for our experiment in self governance. Will we, as Chris Lydon points out, chose to move towards Empire for a permanently wealthy, white elite in an isolated and disconnected world, or will we choose to recommit to a democratic republic based upon the many in a multi cultural, multi ethnic society in a connected and interdependent world? Will we honor the slogan on the ribbon in the eagle's beak on our great seal: E Pluribus Unum? Will we embrace its implicit recognition that true strength and security comes from embracing change? The question can not be decided by words. Zell Miller is right about this. We must look to the accumulated history of actions and their consequences. What have been the actions of the last four years and what have been their consequences? Is our tradition of E Pluribus Unum more secure today or less? I'd ask everyone to hold up a dollar bill and look at the Great Seal. I would make this the campaign slogan. However, as long as Bush controls the political narrative, he can define "reality" any way he wants - especially with bold lies, distortions, evasions, smoke and mirrors. It should be clear by now that the Bush version of reality is "Empire" for the rich, white elite, where the ends justify the means and the rule of law has been sadly subverted. Could Kerry connect the dots between the films Farenheit 911, The Corporation, Out Foxed, The Control Room, etc etc etc? Can he turn this emerging new narrative into something greater than the sum of the parts? At the very least, they offer a new narrative that is in critical opposition to the narrative of lies and half truths that Bush has woven. Does Kerry understand that the P-2-P and Open Source paradigms are powerfully congruent with a democratic republic as they empower the individuals at the edges? Does he understand how these new technologies are in opposition to empire? Does he have first hand experience with Skype, Groove, etc. Does he understand that these new technologies are about a great more than loss of control of the old distribution channels of the old technologies? In short, when will Kerry be able to begin to define reality for a democratic republic in the 21st century? Will he remember that we fought the revolutionary war to overthrow an Empire too closely entwined with The East india Company, one of the first great multi-national corporations? The unspoken reality it that the right wing is terrified of the fact that today's white elite power structure is going to be out voted in 10 years -- as there are currently more non whites under ten years of age then whites. Too many Americans are also terrified that the 100 year high rolling, cheap energy party is about to end forever. They respond positively to the assurance from Cheney that "The American Way of Life is non-negotiable". Which American way of life is that? So Bush tells his core that the Good Times of Cheap Energy will roll on for as long as he is in charge and that WHITES will still be the elites in power. Isn't this what Bush's brand of Homeland Security is all about? Look at the actions, the consequences and the beneficiaries. Forget about being afraid of the even larger issue of global power shifting to the Chinese, which of course is happening right under our noses. clearly the Far Right's 20th century Titanic is sinking beneath the demographic, environmental and geo-political tides and they are scared to death. In desperation they grasp at empire. So doing they become political terrorist who attack our liberties, our constitution and our most cherished political traditions of one Republic from many peoples. The challenging fact is that too many of us facing these demographic, environmental and geo-political changes have forgotten FDR's wisdom that "we have nothing to fear but fear itself." Hold up that dollar bill and read it. We can only win on a positive affirmation of a better future articulated with grace and good humor. And, as Jon Lebkowsky points out, if we learn to talk with each other with respect and empathy. We must fearlessly embrace our unknowable and dynamic future, come what may. That is the American way we have been stewards of for over 200 years. Posted by Jock Gill at September 8, 2004 8:29 PM | TrackBackComments
I agree that we need to come back to one nation, but that nation needs to include real solutions to real problems. So here is some food for thought as we look for real poltical leaders. America Once again the Monster made up of greed, corruption, and violence is at liberty upon our land. Unleashed by men who cares not for human life! They use lies about nature while they get you to believe in their god the Almighty Dollar. No not capitalists, but those from the dark side known as Rapitalists. These people will stop at nothing to get what they can never achieve, for they seek to control the world and I won’t let you. Who am I? I am America! Born in the wilderness of a new land, I find myself free of Kings and Queens. Therefore, I have no fear of speaking the truth and faith in my people that right will win over wrong. For I have allowed them the one thing promised to every man since the beginning of time. Knowledge and Free will was my gift, to the few who where willing to suffer through the darkness as they grew this new nation. Although I may of gave spirit, brave men rose up and realized that they, the simply folks, found an ancient secret. Man could govern himself with only a few simple rules if all would promise to live up to his honor. The freedoms they gained, the riches they gained, and the joy they had found was told to all nations of the world. For everyone could make out a living. Not based on your heritage, not based on wealth, but their divine right to work from sun up to sun down for this gave them a strong soul. Some sought glory, some sought frame, yet many people, to my amaze, found happiness in just their daily chores. To them I give the land and the wealth of my nation, for no better gift than can one give than your body unto others. And than they came, the Rapitalists set sail for this land saying we have a better way for our system has worked for 4,000’s years. Being innocent at birth I let my people choose for they had learned the knowledge of right and wrong. As my children grew in knowledge and exercise their free will under their new doctrine. They came to realize that the Rapitalists were wrong. How could they, who had fought against greed, corruption, and violence, protect themselves from the monster within? Asking the question, I gave them the freedom to write a new “The Law of All Men” and the wisdom from the “Laws of Heaven” to guide their hand. So finding they found their true spirit, I watched them grow. Knowing some would lose faith in their own spirit, but allowing man to live by his own rules to the Knowledge of Truth. Although they stumble over issues, their spirit has never dimmed or their yearning for rightness ever swayed. Having faith in my children to do what’s right. As I fall off to sleep now, I leave you this bit of wisdom. Be kind to your neighbors for they will help in times of trouble. Be respectful of other nation’s cultures for they are the gift of my father. Be tolerant of the Rapitalists that come to this land seeking freedom; however, be forewarned that some will pit brother against brother, black against white, and rich against poor to try and take this land. Until than my children just call my name when you are in trouble and I will watch over you to keep you safe from harm. But Be Warned All You Nations and You Rapitalists: For those who wish to harm me or my people shall feel my wrath and perish when I awaken to lead my people from this world. Children of the 70’s you have been allowed to sleep for the past 35 years so that you may find common ground among you and avoid the mistakes of your fathers. For that was the promise by them the last time I Awakened and saw my nation at war with itself. As I prepare to lay waste to the Rapitalists who tried to take over the country from within, the brave men and women stood up and said; Please hold off on your actions and let us show you what we have learned. For like you, we have learned from our journey and we are dedicated to building a better world. At that, I held my temper and spoke with my children. Yes I was proud of them for they had proved that they could care about each other. That although they had the knowledge of destruction, they had learned to peaceful by nature. This was good, this was right, for they had finally grown up. Still upset over how they had conducted themselves; however, I realized my first reactions to destroy the nation would not be fair. So I asked them: “What would your punishment be to your child for your actions?” Stunned that they did not suffer the same fates as other nations, they realized that they could not answer. Yet again, the brave men and women spoke up “How can we answer a question we have no knowledge about, for that is what we are fighting about?” Smiling, I laughed and said “Welcome to Reality, now my children you will learn. Not from me, but your children will teach you right from wrong. And thus from this day forwarded I give your children and their children my divine right to teach you as you teach them. Choose well you young men and women, for the next time I’m awaken, the test you will be facing is how well you have learned your lesson and the world of which you build. For than I will pass judgment on the facts, having knowledge that the Rapitalism can only destroy, can you rebuild Capitalism system that don’t fall prey to the monster? We will see, but be warned your pure Rapitalists and those that may follow them that I will judge your children’s children responsible for your actions and enslave them as you have done others through out the ages. For that is your punishment as political leaders, now step down. Good night my “Children of the 70’s” and teach your parents well. I will call on you later to bear witness to your parents’ actions and see what you have learned from yours. Now, enjoy your youth and learn for the time to become a grown up society is near. Let me sleep until and remember just call and I will be on the way. This is brilliant, Jock. I'm going to read it again, but just wanted to say that I think you got it exactly right about the right's fear of the future. You can hear it in everything they say when you listen between the lines. Even their denial that there will be a future (the End Times crap, etc.) is a symptom of fear and anxiety. Posted by: Elissa at September 10, 2004 10:04 PMElissa, You said it a lot more succinctly than I did, but I think your analysis is correct. Bush Inc. is the party of the politics of fear and hate. We Democrats must be the party of the politics of strength, faith, confidence and optimism. An Empire base on fear vs a Republic based on strength, faith, confidence and optimism. Despair vs Hope. I say go for it. Posted by: Jock Gill at September 11, 2004 12:19 AMPost a comment
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