I meant to comment on the Democratic Party when they staged a secret meeting of Congress 2 weeks ago. I was going to wax on about the late-in-coming attempts by the Democrats to grab some real power in D.C. However, given yesterday's election results - the Democrats aren't attempting anymore, they're grabbing the power. All I can say is, FINALLY! I have no great profusion of love for either the Democrats or Republicans. Perhaps specifically because of personal ambiguity in political affinity, I am particularly disgusted with the political situation in Washington right now. Everyone can shout to high heaven about scandal, idiocy, and political ineptitude that borders on devil worship. However, the distressing facet to D.C.'s facade is it's lack of any political competition. I am fundamentally disturbed by the accepted standard of a two party political system. Yet, two parties would, at the very least, be more representitive and efficient than one towering, juggling juggernaut. In economics we learn that competition fosters not only efficiency but a sounder, less expensive product. There is no competition in Washington and clearly no desire for a rational meeting of the minds. It's a sad thing that we must wait 3 years before a substantial change occurs again in the House and Congress. My only hope is that, if Democrats continue this resurgence, President Bush will not fight the turning tide. I have not much confidence that he won't given everything I've seen lately, but I do hope. And I am thankful that the nation is recognizing a second voice. (Now if only we can get those 3rd, 4th, and 5th voices an adequate podium.)
The peasant revolt in France. What in the hell is going on? When France banned students from wearing Muslim headcoverings and Christian crosses in schools, I was upset at the double standard in the world media and even within France that allowed such a significant and disgusting lack of respect for religion without any kind of reaction. Now that France is embroiled in a peasant revolt (yes, I realize they are immigrants, however, I think the comparison is completely adequate and even approriate), the world media is doing one thing, and one thing only - reporting the events of the youth riots. Why, oh why, dear soldier, are they not reporting on why these riots are taking place? Why are we hearing so little nothing about the recent hotel fires in France that have killed many of the immigrants packing themselves into hotel rooms like clowns piling into a funny car? I realize America is the superpower and all its many faults will be put under the microscope - much like Bush's many faults are scrutinized to the point of obsession. So they should: Bush leads the US and the US leads the world. However, something very, very dangerous is going on in France and we, at least I, am hearing nothing significant about it. Humanism and socialism are havocing a storm in France. Yet it almost seems as if there is no chance for any kind of dialogue to form. Why?
Speaking of no chance for a dialogue, a recent race scandal erupted on campus last week. I hope to write on it more, but the essential jist was that an opinion piece stated a belief that "reverse racism" is as pervasive and wrong as the well accepted racism that has so defined and continues to define America. The responses that occured only serve to underline this sad fact: race is not an accepted discourse. No, let me clarify. Race is a perfectly accepted and encouraged discourse for minorities. Yet it is as taboo as incest and bestiality for the majority to discuss. Such is intensely interesting.
The world frightens me in many ways. Yet when it frightens me, I read about sex. And today I discovered something lovely through perusing such sex. (Isn't it amazing? Through that ambiguity I could be talking about pornography, sex blogs, articles about sex - such as the recent one about an increase of sex on TV - books reviews, opinion pieces, or any of the other rampant things that have to do with sex and yet you cannot tell. There really is no way to tell. That's so intrinsically fascinating.) Regardless: whenever I am frightened now, all I shall have to do is remember I am:
No comments:
Post a Comment