Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Monday, May 28, 2007
Everybody knows it's Memorial Day
Good Morning everyone...I’m at work...didn’t march with Maine chapter of Veterans for Peace this year...??? Need to work, get the cotton in the barns...no time for parading, stirring up the war mongers on the sidelines, singing, ‘glory, glory, how they screw ya’...yeah just another day, another gallon burned, another billion for mobil/exxon, go to wal-mart to get out of the heat, buying large tupperware containers to store the kids in...wal-mart sells more tupperware containers than anything else...what is it about containers...is this an anal, control thing? Does anyone know why this occurs? Many people go to the gun department after they’ve chosen the correct plastic containers...lots of hunters in maine, probably some are getting ready for the crash...always prepared for hunting, defending oneself from the enemy and if the worst happens, take one’s life, already have tupperware for a cheap coffin...is there anything different about this day for you?
Posted by joe of maine on from 05/28 at 11:01 AMgood morning Mickey and Joe and everyone else to follow.
Yes Mr. Rogers can take the blame. The little girl inside of me was lied to and stepped on...crushed under the weight of cheerfull falsehoods. As a teenager I became defiant, determined not to fall into the traps I saw others getting stuck in. I must have taken a wrong turn somewhere because now, as a 45 yr. old parent of 2 teens, i just feel beaten down sad and full of self pity. Not a pretty picture.
Is anything different for me today? No. I have been feeling very alienated from everyone: my family, and friends, the people I work for, the people I ‘know’ online. I feel like a stranger wherever I go. Disconnected.
Its why even though I have been checking in here at Mickeys blog (happy 3rd anniversary!) I have been reluctant to say anything. Most of what I have to share feels so dark and negative these days.
I have been reading about the canadian native peoples current struggle to get land claims resolved. If they can pull together as a group it could mean some very positive changes here. I think this a big taproot to the problems on this continent: how the natives have and are being treated. Once that attitude and orientation changes then there will be real freedom for everyone. Freedom for positive growth on all levels. But I am not holding my breath. the reptilian colonial mindset is too stubborn, maybe even unable to change. It has to be replaced. And I have no answers on how to accomplish that one.
Think I am going to go for a walk now and try to find some sunnier internal scenery.
As always thanks for the place to share Mickey.Posted by Frances on from bc 05/28 at 12:27 PMGood afternoon, Mickey,joe,and those yet to arrive… I like what you say, joe. No marching for me either. In fact, the VFP’ers that I know now refuse to use the word “march”. They have become so turned off by anything military that they now refuse to use that word and just say “walk” instead. In recent years they have refused to “walk” in any local parades. My Chapter of VFP is probably the best - a very unusual group of dissenters. Some are suggesting that next year the day be celebrated by honoring the dead Iraqi (and other) civilians. I always thought that the day should be used to celebrate conscientious objectors.
It is kind of sad to observe all of the blind patriotism that happens on days like today. How much better it would be if people just questioned what is being fed to them through the school systems and media. I guess that people just don’t like to think. Doing things, watching parades, marching, shopping all seem to be more important. I don’t get it. 2 million dead Iraqis since 1991 and we celebrate those who killed them.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 05/28 at 12:37 PMHi Frances...I can feel you from your words...I wish I could say something more than I would hug you if possible…
Posted by joe of maine on from 05/28 at 12:38 PMHi Frances...we were symultyping. I am happy the I am not the only one who feels sad, helpless, and hopeless. I sometimes get e-mails that reflect the same viewpoint that you speak about. I think our culture has a very negative effect on many things that you speak about. You are not alone. I am as close as a phone call (I know that they are expensive) and we are very blessed to have Mickey’s place.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 05/28 at 12:43 PMHi RMJ-3...yeah...strangely, I saw the director of the Maine Chapter this morning...my emails to him about refusing to acknowledge impeachment, but instead, prosecution, seems to have had a repremanding effect, I think, on him??? I realize his hands are tied as well......I wouldn’t doubt soon, if we’re caught driving by ourself...we might be stopped and charged by the po-lice...I drive by myself very much...!
Posted by joe of maine on from 05/28 at 12:46 PMA lecture on the abuse of the fear instinct in early education
By Boris Sidis, Ph.D., M.D.http://www.nospank.net/sidis.htm
I was reading the above article just before the last few comments...seems important to me.
I don’t know the process to abbreviate website addresses
Posted by joe of maine on from 05/28 at 12:58 PMHello Expendables...from a warm, muggy Astoria. Thanks for the heartfelt comments above. Today is indeed a day of sorrow, hyposcrisy, and denial.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 05/28 at 06:28 PMBtw, here’s the latest from RMJ.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 05/28 at 06:32 PMHey everyone-- that’s a great essay, Rosemarie, sorry to see that senseless comment left on it… ha, even by their logic, of Saddam’s hundreds of thousands killed, the U.S. still “wins”, in terms of numbers… agh. It all really is so frustrating. You mention William Blum, and here, I found this, which should be required reading along with a lot of Mickey’s stuff:
http://www.counterpunch.org/blumcasualties.html
http://www.counterpunch.org/blum06222006.html
http://www.counterpunch.org/blum05052007.htmlBut yeah, I know I’m probably preaching to the converted. Happy anniversary and I hope everyone feels better.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 05/28 at 07:53 PMthats a very important question, RMJ. Who are the terrorists? My answer would be Israel and the USA. Everyone else being enablers and or victims. Seems like all of us are being held hostage to the threat of violence of one kind or another these days...Do as we say or else. think as we do or else. Put up or get out. I dont get it either.
Joe,thanks for the reminder about hugs. Around here we usually start our day with a hug...they have been in short supply lately.
I briefly tried the spanking thing with my children when they were small, all it did was leave all of us feeling bad. The best parenting book i ever read is called The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff.
http://www.continuum-concept.org/Posted by Frances on from bc 05/28 at 08:00 PMYou always find the right words, Mickey - on the occasion of Memorial Day and onn every other occasion. Such a pleasure to visit your blog.
Hi from a very stormy Daylesford to Joe of Maine, frances, Rosemarie and James (fully agree with you on Bill Blum). The weather makes one want to go back to bed but I won’t.
Take care, all of you!
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 05/28 at 08:34 PM‘I always thought that the day should be used to celebrate conscientious objectors.’
My thoughts have run along the same lines for quite some time, Rosemarie! Here in Australia we have ANZAC Day which is getting worse each year. Glorification of war, anyone?
Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 05/28 at 08:37 PMCindy Sheehan quit the peace movement today!
http://tinyurl.com/2dmxchPosted by Frances on from bc 05/28 at 08:49 PMI didn’t realize there actually was a peace movement.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Astoria 05/28 at 09:01 PMLike the flying toaster Mickey!
Posted by Robert B. Livingston on from San Francisco 05/28 at 09:36 PMYes, there is a peace movement but its constipated...all dammed up with possesions and ego identities and fear and personal agendas and legaleese. Maybe Jensens idea of breaking down the dams is a good one...let the waters flow.
Posted by Frances on from bc 05/28 at 11:00 PM
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