Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Posted by Mickey Z on 11/25 at 12:42 PM

I’d like to tell Mr. Friedman that what I’m thankful for, and concerned about losing, is the freedom to be able to say categorically that those soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are not defending our freedom nor are they “extending the opportunity for freedom.” Those soldiers are in service of empire, and the travesty is the public school system and all the other agents of propaganda in this society that fool them into thinking that they are dying in the cause of freedom. That karmic burden must be born by all of us, and all we who see thru the lies can do is speak the truth to anyone who will listen. We just need to get smarter and stronger about how we get that message across. We have to do more than just tell them they are wrong… we must understand why they think they are right and craft a message that will penetrate the walls of compartmentalized thinking that allow them to think killing Iraqi children is extending freedom, is Christian, is American, is even tolerable for any purpose. What is that message?

Posted by John F. Eden on from Jesup, GA 11/25 at 02:03 PM

When we’re up against a non-stop barrage of TV, carving that message is perhaps the most difficult challenge now facing Americans. I’d love more and more people to visit this site so we can all do our part in that challenge.

Posted by Mickey Z. on from 11/25 at 03:22 PM

I’m in. You’ve got a great start here - being new to the blog/forum world, I’m somewhat overwhelmed by the volume and intensity of all that, but seems there’s enough energy to get something going - just needs focus, a hub, a catalytic chamber maybe… I’ll check in often, try to contribute. Thanks for what you’re doing.

Posted by John F. Eden on from Jesup, GA 11/25 at 08:59 PM

Thanks, John...looking forward to sharing ideas. For now, you might wanna check out the posts for Nov. 6, 8, 10...for some of my musings on dissent.

Posted by Mickey Z. on from 11/25 at 09:56 PM

Thanks - those are powerful thoughts! As I seemed to know as soon as I heard you on CSpan and read a few of your entries, we think alike. We seem to have a similar philosophical background - your synthesis of it is so powerful and clear. I’ll not go into all the points that resonated with me in the three “musings on dissent” I just read, but I have been having much the same thoughts, especially in recent days as I’ve been reading on fascism (Neiwert mainly) and trying to understand the right wing vote and actually feeling some “love,” as you said, for them as I begin to understand how and why they’re so angry and afraid, and realizing that we must address those concerns in positive ways, not just think of them as morons who don’t get it. Also, I have some background in the Latin American solidarity movement, so Che is one of my heroes—and I’m a Buddhist and a simple-living advocate, so your Thich Nhat Hahn quote and lifestyle comments hit home! So thanks for your response - I’m looking forward to hearing more and sharing thoughts.

Posted by John F. Eden on from Jesup, GA 11/25 at 10:55 PM

Thanks, SK...I’ll read that later today. In return, I share something I wrote upon hearing of Said’s death:
http://www.counterpunch.org/mickeyz09262003.html

Posted by Mickey Z. on from 11/26 at 11:52 AM