THANK YOU!
Day: November 11, 2009
The Fort Hood Saga
Daily Agitator
I was not going to comment on the shootings at Ft. Hood until all the facts were in. There is speculation flying around the web and the news rooms on why this guy went to this extreme. We have heard he is a terrorist or that he is just suffering from PTSD or that he was just a whacko…..well so far there is NO definitive explanation…he is alive and alert but NOT talking.
Like I have said…I was not going to comment but things have progressed to the point that I feel compelled to comment….
All the “expert” analysts are saying that the military is going to be doing a review of the situation to see why this guy fell through the cracks and his actions were not more closely monitored. All involved, including some in the White House, have said that they want to make sure and promise that something like this will NEVER happen again.
That is a hollow promise…there is NO way they can guarantee that it will not happen again. There is ABSOLUTELY NO way that they can guarantee that it will NEVER happen again!
But that is okay, we Americans are use to hollow promises….we have been living with them for over 200 years.
“Fear And Loathing” In Washington
(Thanx to Hunter for part of the title)
I have, along with oh so many others, been a critic of the way the GOP is handling their opposition to anything the Dems propose. These guys and gals may seem like they are insane but it is a method to their madness.
Back in the day I was a pretty active activist….and there are techniques to use when addressing issues….
“Fear and loathing” is a techniques where the activist takes an issue and turns it into something to be afraid of….like same sex marriage or health reform or …..pick one…they all do it…..NOTHING new.
The best way to accomplish this is by finding an issue and putting the opposition of defense….do not give them a chance to go on the offense….if you are watching the health reform debate unfold, then you are witnessing this technique. It is not so much an ideology battle but rather just simple obstructionism.
If anyone has been watching the debate unfold then they have witnessed the use of props….babies…..throwing copies of the bill….holding the Constitution…..all of this is theatrics nothing about an ideology…nothing about alternatives….nothing offered as a solution….just plain obstructionism.
In case you are not sure what obstructionism is…then I can help……”to be a obstacle….to impede progress….to block or stop…..to hinder….” so far the conservatives have done well using this tactic. The Dems control the White House and both Houses of Congress and they still cannot get a bill passed without the wrangling and theater…..I would say that the theatrics are working and that the obstruction put into place by the conservatives is doing its job….slowing and possibly stopping any progress….
The Repubs have been using “fear” forever to push their agenda…the daddy of the GOP, Thomas Jefferson once said, “A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take away everything you have”. “Fear”….when you have nothing else……works every time!