Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
In honor of the Iowa Caucus
Hi Mickey...about voting. There is a good reason to vote in Vermont. They always have coffee, juice, and free donuts for everyone. Voting won’t change anything but not voting won’t change anything either. Those in power before the election, will be in power after the election. The only thing that changes is who will be living in the White House. Of, course all Expendables know that, but I had to say it anyway.
Supposed to go to 20 BELOW, with wind chills tonight. I shoveled all day yesterday. Woke this morn to 8 inches of new snow. As I was shoveling, a pickup truck pulled up. The young man who was driving got out and offered to help. I did not know him. I told him that I didn’t have money to pay him but he shoveled anyway. SOOOO here is a public salute to one of the good guys, Matt Wilkinson. Thanks, Matt.
Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 01/02 at 07:15 PMRMJ...good evening and good evening to everyone...Cold here also, RMJ...spent time today snowshoeing in woods for exercise and solitude...it works...genghis bush should snowshoe.
One thing voting can do is prevent one’s mind from imagining a better alternative to the one party system...it can allow people to devote their mind and energy on that which we need to transcend...voting can prove we are incapable of learning, of becoming more aware...voting can give permission to, and enable others to stay asleep, to be corrupt, to be insensitive, to be apathetic, to give up on life itself. So take the donuts and coffee, say hello to the neighbors and tell them I prefer life over death.
Posted by joe of maine on from 01/02 at 08:12 PMGood morning, joe. I agree with much of what you say, BUT how would voting prevent one from imagining a better alternative any more than walking in the woods would prevent one from thinking while walking? I agree that voting signals approval of the corrupt system. Many informed people I know have stopped voting. I understand why they take that position, BUT even that position has an alternative and that is voting for Independent candidates. It seems to me that it is either that, or take up weapons and head toward violence. Most of us here are not violent and could not do that. For a long time my position has been that there is nothing that we can do that will bring about positive change - not voting, not meditating, not marching, and not snowshoeing.
Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 01/03 at 10:50 AMSince few people listen, since most people are saturated with few and distrust, it is very difficult to discuss alternative communities/living. So I will have alternative conversations with myself and even while snowshoeing. The 260 year old political system will not be in my thoughts.
Posted by joe of maine on from 01/03 at 11:15 AMI couldn’t agree with you more, Mickey. As a liberal, I don’t know if I can ever bring himself to vote for a Democrat again. I just don’t see the point. They aren’t an opposition party, they’re more like back-up singers for the GOP.
All those people who fell for their “lesser of two evils” line in ‘04 remember how well that turned out. The Dems ignore the majority and have become irrelevant.
Posted by ThomasMc on from Colorado Springs 01/03 at 12:14 PMRMJ, you may be onto something for Campaign 2008: ‘Nice Donuts.’
Here’s a thimble-sized serving of good news: Letterman went back on-air last night with union writers. The WGA strike remained in-frame for most of the show, including the Top Ten list read by striking writers. Whatever problems the show has, it will be a thorn in the side of theivin’ corporate types. Watch for producers’ claim that Letterman’s presence makes it impossible for them to effectively negotiate with the WGA.
Posted by Zen Prole on from Urth 01/03 at 03:11 PMZen...I missed the show last night but it has been reported that Letterman identified the group of dancers as the “Eugene Debs Dancers”. The newsman who reported that said the reference to Debs probably went over the heads of most in the viewing audience.
Thomas...”...back-up singers for the GOP...” Great line!
Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 01/03 at 04:49 PMGood evening everyone...I heard a kucinich commercial on an FM radio station. He used the word ‘prosecution’. Well...it was much different than the ads for fitting ski boots. I don’t ski, I won’t vote. I will recommend prosecution for war crimes to anyone. We normalize the conditions of wark, we normalize war...very simple formula. The abusive authorities love us.
Posted by joe of maine on from 01/03 at 07:54 PMFirst of all, hello from a quite warm Daylesford (77F) to Rosemarie, Joe of Maine, ThomasMc, Zen Prole and the Cool Observer himself and again: All Best for the New Year.
‘BUT how would voting prevent one from imagining a better alternative any more than walking in the woods would prevent one from thinking while walking?’ I quite agree with that, Rosemarie - and, as you say, one can always vote for independent candidates. On the other hand - I can see where Mickey comes from, but still consider myself a ‘lesser evil’ person.
And good to read that you got help from a young man, Rosemarie, when he saw you shovelling snow.
Take care!Posted by Helga Fremlin on from Daylesford, Australia 01/03 at 09:11 PMHello Expendables. It’s been a rough time here in Texas. My Mom’s situation has reached the point of no return and I’m staying a little longer than expected, going back to NYC to tie up some loose ends, and then coming rght back to stay with my Dad for a bit.
I plan to keep posting here and I do hope you’ll all continue to meet here and converse. Your friendship and support is like fuel.
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Dubya Land 01/03 at 09:22 PMBest wishes to you and your family, Mick.
Posted by JOS on from Oak Park 01/03 at 09:53 PMMickey...I am very sorry to hear your news. Love to you and all in your family.
captcha word right now is “PEACE”.Hi Helga, JOS, joe, Zen, Thomas, and all.
Moonlighting in Vermont
http://tinyurl.com/3abdczPosted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 01/04 at 08:55 AMMickey, best wishes of course for everything happening with your mom and dad these days.
And you know, while I’ll vote for whatever 3rd party option seems best next year, I still find myself pleased that Ms. Clinton lost yesterday.
Posted by James on from Hell's Kitchen 01/04 at 10:24 AMHi Mickey...this is sad for you and your mother and father.
Posted by joe of maine on from 01/04 at 10:28 AMMZ, I’m so sorry to hear. Best wishes for silver linings in these clouds.
Aye, James, as meaningless as Iowa caucuses are, seeing Clinton place third gave me a smile.
I haven’t seen Letterman since the first night, but will check in again…
Posted by Zen Prole on from Urth 01/04 at 12:22 PMSo...the Iowa carnival barkers, that sounded like every other barker for the last 230 years, all want a chance to blow-up, poison, kill the remainder of planet earth. How noble a deed these nice people are striving for. The world cannot wait, I’m sure to receive the bombs, the rapes, the torture, the conditions worst than any previously experience. That will be the peace we shall grant them.
Which candidate promised this kind of peace to the world, the u.s.? Which one promised to raise the minimum wage to $50,000 a year. Which savior promised free, no strings attached health and dental insurance? Which one promised to reduce the work week to 20 hours? Which candidate stated they would end class discrimination and create programs in our schoooools to raise awareness of all the star spangled hatreds which we’ve held so dear for so long? Which candidate stated they will put a REAL ceiling on ceo’s salaries so their would be more money to use for real social causes? Which candidate said they would make sure all police, men and women would regularly be tested for their mental capacity to function as a civilized human being, instead of pretending they’re Wyatt Earp, high on cheap whiskey?
There are so many things these very nice people need to do...I wonder......?
Posted by joe of maine on from 01/04 at 05:19 PMJames...I am glad that Hillary lost. “None of the above” wins in my book. Hillary says she will bring change. Did you see who is advising her - Madeleine Albright!
Just announced in Montpelier--- Henceforth in the State of Vermont, when a hospital error is made, such as cutting off the wrong arm or leg, the patient will no longer be billed. This was reported on the news tonight. No foolin.... makes me feel like I am living in a parallel universe.
Posted by RMJ on from Mickey Z 4 Prez Hdqts 01/04 at 07:34 PMMickey, So sorry to hear about your mom.
I wonder sometimes if there was cancer before cigarettes, autombiles, corporations, and Landfills. We are totally trashing our ecosystem and we are now paying the price. Will there ever be a cure for cancer? Not until all of the above are gone and I don’t see that happening anytime soon. I know we are living longer now than our ancestors did but what kind of life is it to be thrown away in a nursing home? What kind of life is it to be hooked to an oxygen tank 24/7?
What can we do to make things right?
Posted by David on from Louisville KY 01/04 at 09:42 PMJohn McCain stated,
“The United States military could stay in Iraq for “maybe a hundred years” and that “would be fine with me,” John McCain told two hundred or so people at a town hall meeting in Derry, New Hampshire”
Large scale break in, entering, theft and murder have no time limits with McCain. Send this man back to Vietnam, where he left his brain! And...I guess he speaks for much of america…
Posted by joe of maine on from 01/05 at 02:45 PM
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