Mickey Z
Cool Observer
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Return of the Top Ten Lists
“Don’t invite the anarchists.” Priceless. You know, you let one into the rally or march and before you can say “Kropotkin” there goes the neighborhood.
Posted by The CultureGhost on from Concord CA 07/28 at 11:30 PMMICKEY Z—Top 10 ways to change the world (you live in—as Joe from Maine might say) == 1) Greet your neighbor == 2) Say please and thank you == 3) Honor your father and mother (even if the have passed) == 4) Love your significant other == 5) Love kidz—your own—blood and non-blood—other kidz == 6) Do a Caucas - get/stay involved 7) Vote with your heart and head—walk with your feet—if the bastards get you down == 8) Pray—Thank your HIGHER BEING—9) Smile like ya’ mean it—laugh till your belly aches—and you’re short of breath—10) Tell Andrew Cuomo—he’s a bully—just like his old man - then ... wink—as you remind Venetian Man—that he’ll never be Gov of New York—if he doesn’t start respectin’ Gov Spitzer—the Hope of the Bronx—and remind him that Mickey Z—a good catholic boy from Astoria .. can still kick his a** smile http://tinyurl.com/22hhtn ..........as a jersey guy once said --"you give love a bad name”......... captcha says—bed—which i am going back to—ciao!!!!!
Posted by Richie on from st cloud / n ft myers fl 07/29 at 04:48 AMGood morning Mickey, CultureGhost, Richie, and all… Did I hear the news correctly. The usa is going to sell 20 billion $$$ weapons to the Saudis and 30 billions to Isreal? Maybe I wasn’t listening with both ears???? Again I say, the Bush Administration has been brilliant, with the help of the Dems, of course. The Great Money transfer continues, and will continue, no matter who wins the next election. Now back to Churchill, this is why what he said when he used the “E” word is so important. It IS ALL about money.
Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 07/29 at 07:48 AMAnother top 10 things to ponder bout your neighbor down wind’ === from the wi z dom of my forefathers—1) Asbury Park aint’ no Staten Island—at least our boat runs on time!—2) If you live in Red Bank NJ—u were’nt born there—the old man must of had’ cash and a great job on the “Street”—3) Palisades Park ain’t no Coney Island ! I ain’t never heard of a Pali-Dog .. 4) New Jersey really does produce cattle ??—well - our Politicians lay more “bull” than yours ! 5) The Jersey Shore is basically the debris we chose to get rid of— 6) Donald Trump made his name and went broke in Atlantic City 3x.......His T-Towers block my view of the “smog-stacks” over dere’ ! 7) Jimmy Hoffa (rest his soul) makes a better goal post then a boss of the union I work for—Go Giants !! Go Jets !!
8) No body ain’t ever going to eat no “New Jersey-StylePizza 9) What ever happened to the last Governor - McCreevey? - Oh yeah—Spitzer indicted him for impersonating a politician! 10) If u have to ask what it costs to live in the Burroughs—u probably belong in Jersey !! I’m going for a walk in the Park—cause my feet get muddy walkin’ in the Garden (state). Here’s one from the Summer of 67’—bout restin’ in the Park http://tinyurl.com/27c4yx smilePosted by Richie on from st cloud / N ft myers fl 07/29 at 09:44 AMThe water pipe has been leaking consistently, the many attempts to repair the pipe simply hasn’t had a lasting effect. Tried aluminum foil tape, tried a neoprene sleeve with hose clamps, tried soldering the pipe, nothing has worked. Spent much time, energy and effort on this old pipe, very frustrating...time to go into the future, Install a new pipe.
Fixing a water pipe is much easier than trying to repair a dysfunctional political system and like the pipe, it’s time to put our focus, our time and energy developing an alternative that can be implemented as soon as we start thinking about it. Out thoughts will focus on what can be socially, economically...rather that what was/is. We will have to think small rather than be bogged down by the enormity of imagining a change for the entire 55 states.
This does not mean to be apathetic to the larger problem, however the system has everyone bogged down to a standstill for the most part. Social progress is not happening to the extent I would like to see it, and it will only be on a small scale, that I can contribute to occuring immediately.
As I have personally found, and I’ve said before, none of this is easy...personal transformation and social transformation is innately part of our being. Our indoctrination into this disaster is not easy to transcend...I feel confident we all want to and it must happen or we continue to spin our wheels, yearning for all of this insanity to stop or go away...some hope that some politician will acquire instant ethics and influence all other politicians...the christ-like or guru-like syndrome. This still keeps our minds, our attention diverted from what we want and know can and should be.
Our conditioning to our relative, comfort, or at least somewhat predictability of our lives keep us inactive toward actively developing the relations with ourselves and others needed create th vision for alternative communities. Alternative communities come in all forms if one does a google or dogdung search...Look at the basics of food, shelter, making a living and perhaps working for money can be changed by creative thinking on the part of members who really what this ‘thing’ to work. Living in closer proximity can eliminate daily travel, feeding the oil companies the car companies, auto insurance companies, car maintenance, etc.
The differences we find among each other than might, can push the buttons of older, undesirable experiences is another thing we can look at and hopefully, mutually want to be supportive of effort to cleanse the old shit and baggage from our consciousness...this is what makes coming together so difficult. To really experience mutual aid and understanding is far more bonding, in my experience that simply getting together over a common denominator of stopping wars or the common interest of an activity. Obviously deeper relations can occur from the meeting on more casual activities...casual can be relative to level of awareness.
Continueing to put effort into what was/is is not going to enable us to have what we so desperately want...and the changes, effort needed, is not simple...starting is a start...I personally will not do anything that will put energy into perpetuating this current, corrupt political system. My only energy put toward this system will be to simply say it doesn’t work, never did...and I won’t spend any more time necessary to say it. I will not put focus on possible candidates who will only continue what was/is, with the illusion that might make a difference. This view has been taken every 2, 4 years for over 250 years, for centuries...time to become more sane. Get a new pipe for...christ sake!
Posted by joe of maine on from 07/29 at 10:09 AMjoe...I think that most here agree with you but the problem is - HOW DO WE DO IT???? Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems to me that every time I think about it, it comes down to money. It takes money just for all of those who want to set up this new way living to get together. We can each do it on an individual level - that probably is happening, more or less now. Living simply costs a lot of money - less than living extravagantly, but still a lot. Many of us are in financial survival mode now. There is not much that I can give up, unless my flowers are considered a needless luxury. I share your frustration. Maybe we should all give up our computers. I think that that might have unintended consequences.
The Amish, the Mormons etc have set up alternative communities. There is a monastery not far from me - actually a couple of them. Most here at Mickey’s would object to the religious part. We could set up a monastery for atheists and agnostics - but it still comes down to money for start up costs.
Setting the money issue aside for a moment, it seems to me another important aspect of alternate communities is the “feeling” of family. That would be great to achieve. It would improve the quality of life for many but in our culture, “family closeness” has been bred out of many by our pro-business society. I admire the cultures in places like Iraq where I see so many generations supporting and caring for each other. I would trade my bikini for a burka any day, if we only could have the family connections here that exist in some other countries.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 07/29 at 02:40 PMRMJ..6..Thank You...you mentioned money, family, uncertainty of what a family might be. As I have said before, I don’t have all the answers and this is where the group, the family comes in...more brain power and creativity.
The process itself, started by discussion of all this IS the beginning, we ARE change in progress......during this process we will become more insightful and greater ideas will emerge...at least tentative solutions to questions and problems will arise. Organizers, supervisors, politics will not have a place since we will mutually develop ideas and strategies and support each other as we might have difficulties in digesting and making adjustments to the unfamiliar. This will vary with each individual. I think group support is a huge characteristic and one many people haven’t experienced.
Perhaps we can only be 65% independent of the insanity...[money]...and that could increase in time. The process itself, the learning, the mind-storming, I feel is very important and much can be learned about many things...about ourselves as individuals and about the group and how to learn from each other and do things.
I live very simply, I would love to go together on an ethical small, manageable business to free up time and be more spontaneous. I’m not concerned with acquiring much. I don’t care about objects...well, I might want a new bikini.
I would love to get away from traditional work hierarchies and all the inherent problems. I would like more silence so I can hear insects and birds more frequently and few car noises. What we feel can be manifested in action...I am reminded myself when I say patience is important.
Posted by joe of maine on from 07/29 at 06:51 PMHello Expendables from hot, humid, rainy Texas. I have a Top One list to add to my Top Ten lists:
Top Reason Why Ward Churchill was Fired:
1. The smallpox-infested blanket got lost in the mail
(insert rimshot here)
Posted by Mickey Z. on from Dubya Land 07/29 at 09:45 PMjoe...I like your vision of a better world. One of my problems is that I want peace and justice NOW. I want the impossible. Your ideas are possible but will leave out all who will be killed by the system in the meantime. I guess I don’t understand how anyone who has, for example, seen the Fisk photos of the slaughtered children can be patient. Your ideas are more realistic than mine though.
Mickey #8...#2 Reason for firing - He is hiding the WMDs.
#3 He caused the tsunami.
#4 He is a really tall man who lives in a cave in Afghanistan.
(They seem to be blaming him for everything these days.)Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 07/30 at 11:58 AMRMJ..9..yeah, I know what you’re saying...yet nothing is being accomplished...it’s not simply ending the current war’S...it changing the system of war...during break, just a few minutes ago...I thought, since I am a Vietnam vet of the late 60’s...war doesn’t end for a war economy...just like the rest of the mechanical society...so there are many analogies...leave the sinking ship, I’ll use for now...this does not imply I am forgetting the dirty deeds of the thugs...I do not want their shit completely owning my consciousness, creating a marching in place in quick sand scenario as it has for 250 years. I’m not a hero...I am not apathetic...I won’t be either.
Posted by joe of maine on from 07/30 at 12:13 PMjoe...I agree. It is the “system” that must be changed. Just ending THIS war will not help much. It is Capitalism which thrives on war that has to be changed. The silence from the so called Peace groups on the issue of changing the system is a big part of the problem. Almost no one is advocating for a new system. Almost no one is speaking out against the latest big arms deal that is designed to further enrich usa corporations and kill many in the mid-East.
You say you don’t want their shit completely owning your consciousness. I agree. He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 07/30 at 01:34 PMRMJ...11...I’ll devote a portion of the day to becoming conscious, a portion developing ideas for a new society, of which I might be the only member, a portion to eating and bodily functions, basic chores, working 8 hours a day...then I will single handedly, since I have no comrades in immediate area, overthrow all governments. There should be some time remaining to set back with a good cigar and listen to some Anonymous 4 music.
I have always had an inclination to be a rescuer...tell me a REAL sad story and you own me...however with governments and zombies...I draw the line fairly quickly...besides everything else...a Psychological revolution is necessary...we must change how we think, so we must be careful about how much time we spend thinking about various subjects. Now back to my tuning fork.
Posted by joe of maine on from 07/30 at 02:05 PMAnother possible problem...america has been a very frustrating place to exist...people are getting angry. I’m seeing even the local activists exchanging angry emails in disagreement..much is simply due to semantics...people are labeling themselves and they don’t even know what they’re saying, if they do, they’re communicating clearly???...reaction to stimuli...so...are we going to, possibly allow the goons and freaks in washington create, by way of their insistence on denying life, a ‘passive’ or even violent, blue and gray condition? Americans are already divided, isolated...! How will we save the world...when we need saved...this is truly a chaotic…
Posted by joe of maine on from 07/30 at 03:51 PMjoe… I agree with most of what you say. I don’t agree that “Americans” are divided. Most show by their actions and how they vote that they support the war machine. We don’t even have an opposition Party.
Many of “us” on this side of the fence are divided. Look at the Liberal attacks on Cindy Sheehan and the lack of much vocal support for Churchill. Our culture is a culture of personal isolation. I see it all the time in the way we care for the very young and the elderly.
I agree with you that we need to change the way we think. Maybe till that happens we should just change the way we act. Fake it, until we can make it.Posted by RMJ on from Churchill 4 Prez Hdqts 07/30 at 06:12 PMHello again RMJ...I wonder what it means ‘change the way we think’? The divisions are the millions of people who have been indoctrinated into this ‘object’ oriented society...they personal experiences compounding the illness from the general lack of humanity. Oh, yes, we have our warm and fuzzy moments but we are generally machines...working too much, worrying too much, too much time devoted to the system...it’s hard, it’s hard for me to allow all the crap to flow past me and live and feel peacefully. I have buttons that can be pushed, most people do...most people have not transcended all the crap...even if they have, they will have moments of despair, sadness for what’s happening...it’s not easy, but I think, we need to focus on the constructive and not the destructive or we will only have the violence and the goons in our thoughts, ineffectively doing good things when we have the chance. Again, I’m not talking about denial or apathy...but the war’s are not stopping, yet we can still advance, individually, a small group even if the remainder of the universe isn’t into it...then we are under the control of the controllers and the deciders...the nano-seconds of thought, consciousness must be caught by our attention and observed or the destruction controlls us completely.
The goons give us flags, marches, protests...but if we really start objecting...out come the tanks.
If, by some strange magical movement, 40 million people marched on DC...something interesting might happen...this is fantasy, unfortunately. The music you hear in the background is a German group, PoPo Vul....(-:
Posted by joe of maine on from 07/30 at 06:24 PM
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