I posted this last summer, but we have SO MANY new DU members that I wanted to post it again as a testament to how far we've come, and to how far we still have to go! I'd also like to invite other DU members to tell a bit about themselves so we can see who we all are! I also wish to raise a glass in the hopes that after January, this rant will take a closer step toward obsolescence. I’d like to do something I rarely see occur on DU. I would like to give an informal introduction, a game show contestant-length bio, and share a little bit of my political philosophy:
The name is Mike, born 12/23/1964 in Bitburg, Germany, son of an Air Force Sgt from NC. My mom is from Manchester, UK. I moved from Germany to the UK to New Mexico, back to the UK and then landed in Williamsburg, VA where I have lived (minus a 5 year stint in metro DC) ever since. I am a musician (drummer, 31 years and counting) and sound engineer, and I play in a great funk/jazz band called the Xstatix.
A little about what I believe:
I feel strongly that this country is on a roller coaster ride in the wrong direction and the track’s givin’ out. I think our current leadership has put pride before principle and personal gain before the public trust. I read the same blogs and newspapers everyone else does, both from the left and right, and like anyone else, obviously, I form my opinions based on my own experiences. But I also have some gut instincts about things I know to be true.
I think it is wrong to use an entire group of people, any people, as a political scapegoat or for political gain. I also think it is wrong to use religion as a weapon for political gain, and to play to fear rather than intellect. Every American should be opposed to these tactics in the name of REAL religious freedom.
I don’t know what happened on 9/11, as it’s way above my pay grade, but I don’t believe it was cause to go to Iraq, any more than the WMDs were. It seemed to be a bait and switch, and the strategy just wasn’t good. I think the Downing Street memo, regardless of its relevance, should have been scrutinized a lot more, if for no other reason, because no one questioned it’s authenticity. Every American should be outraged at having to question the motivation for going to war when their children are asked to step into harms way, regardless of who’s in power.
I don’t like what happening to the media machine these days. Every American should be outraged that the FCC regulations regarding ownership may be changed to allow fewer to own more, and that the internet is next on the agenda.
Speaking of the media, I hate the fact that good old Walter Kronkite news has gone away and that shrill analysis now passes as news. Every American should be outraged when a couple of comedy shows are the only entities interested in pursuing the truth anymore.
It is wrong to say that investigating voter fraud and demanding paper trails and tamper free systems is just cynical politicism. Every American should be outraged at a system that allows the Supreme Court to decide an election….regardless of who is in power.
It is dishonest to frame the environmental movement as a band of leftist traitors with an amoral agenda. Anyone who's ever had the misfortune of inhaling the fumes from an exhaust pipe should be able to agree that spouting that black shit into the air can't be a good thing. It is also ignorant to disconnect the oil industry from foreign policy. Every American should be outraged that corporate interests trump public concerns in this country.
It is wrong to point fingers and simply say that both parties are corrupt. We know this already. Clean up what’s going on now please. The best part is, they are given the responsibility to legislate it, yet do nothing. Every American should be outraged at the level of corruption in our higher offices, regardless of who’s in power.
I don’t know what’s going to happen after the midterms, but I am hoping for a change. Every American should expect to be served by capable leaders, and should avail themselves of the ballot box when ever called upon to do so.
Thanks all! I really want to continue to make new friends here.
:hi: :toast: :hi:
that's me with the stick in my hand
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