On the State of the Union

A good read on the current state of things

Asia Times

I agree with this article. The State of The Union has devolved over time into basically a cheer leading / pep rally event. I used to watch it regularly. Perhaps I'm missing something. But under our corporate funded "Democracy," I don't think so. Citizens United was the last nail in the coffin of American Democracy. So when we try to "call-out" various dictators, thugs, and murderers, I just know they chuckle. Nobody beats Uncle Sam at terrorism, murder, "disappearing" people and God only knows what other horrors. There's money to be made.

     

Feelings of Invisibility

This is a post from another blog I have. I think it works here as well. 

-Paul 

Not so long ago I read Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Interesting... No, it is not about some superhero. It is about a guy who is invisible to the larger society. He's a ghost of a man. We never learn the main character's  name through the whole book, just a few aliases he uses from time to time. This guy turns this invisibility to his advantage, but not in such a way that makes him happy. I, as a handicapped person, also find myself invisible sometimes.

We have rules and guidelines for how to treat the disabled, and I cannot help but wonder f they do more harm than good. For example, does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) actually make it harder for people with disabilities to get jobs? The ADA was passed in 1990. Unemployment for the disabled is still abysmal by any standard. It is almost double the rate of the non-disabled. I'm asking the question in all honesty. I could see where potential employers would shy away from hiring someone with disabilities BECAUSE of this law. Read it will cost more money. Just being able to get around is another barrier. In my limited experience the USA is the best place I've been as far as accessibility is concerned. But it varies from state to state. Too many places take a minimalist approach. For example, a strip shopping center with a ramp at one end (along with a lone handicapped parking space). This kinda sucks for someone with limited mobility. This represents being further disabled by society. We are talking about a large chunk of the US population, 23% according to this article. That's like one out of every five people! Where are they? I think a part of the problem is the expectations are set so low for too many. I was taught I could do anything I want. I took the lesson seriously, and now I work full time, blog sometimes and write books in my free time. I should be the rule and not the exception. What I mean is every so called disabled person should have every opportunity to live life to it's fullest potential free from physical and social barriers. I'm thankful for those who have struggled for me so I was not institutionalized at a young age. We still have a very long way to go.

I'm hopeful the invisibility spell is slowly fading away. Technology helps. I don't have to look for a job that involves hard physical labor. I can do plenty of stuff via computer (like blogging). But technology alone will not change much. People with disabilities need to self-advocate. Society at large needs to recognize and encourage everyone to live to their full potential. This cannot be done via legislation alone. We collectively need to build more avenues of inclusion, involvement, and equality. I'll do my part through writing and speaking up. What about you?          

Rule Number One... Non-Violence

Looking at the Worth A look Post, you may ask yourself what does peak-oil have to do with Unpeople. Everything. The Secret of the Seven Sisters is a really good series on Al Jazeera that gives a through look at the long dark history of the oil business over the last hundred or so years. They are not displacing happy white people. Everywhere oil is found and developed, conflict quickly breaks out. The Middle East, Africa, and even here on North America. It takes many forms; from wars, terrorism, thuggery, to unfolding slow-violence in the southern USA. See Dahr Jamail, one of the last true investigative journalists for more on this. The script runs pretty much the same. A company finds oil, buys off the local elites, shafts the locals, and leaves crushing poverty in it's wake. Let's not forget about the tiny group of rich autocrats and their associated goons either. I try to look for information on what's going on, and it's there on the internet. Sadly, these types of stories seldom make into the mass / corporate media's 24 / 7 news cycles. When they do, there is rarely any depth beyond who was killed, kidnapped or tortured. Seldom if ever, does anyone ask "why." The on-going coverage of the Niger Delta area on the nightly news just touches the surface. They have more important things to do like selling denture cream or pharmaceuticals. Here is something more in depth from Amnesty International on the Niger delta conflict. Most people are blissfully unaware of the true cost of driving everywhere, me included. It is one thing to read about such horrors, but another to live through it day in and day out. For the average western schmo like me, it is almost incomprehensible. Still, I want to educate myself and others. As a conflict Resolution practitioner, I wonder how will this all play out? It does not look good. 

We are using a finite resource as if it can go on forever. I have a feeling John Michael Greer is right. There is no magic technological bullet that is going to save us from the FACT that oil will run out. We are not facing this fact. Rather, we ignore it. I don't know when this will happen but it cannot be but so far off. Now, I'm not talking about some twisted Mad Max-like apocalyptic fantasy. Leave that for the movies. No, it will unfold over time with ever increasing costs in blood and treasure. Remember money drives the train. As long as there is financial benefit, expect more of the same denial of reality. Wall Street Consultant? That alone does not make him wrong, but I suspect his ideas are tied one way or another to his pay. I'm not a geologist. I don't know when oil will run out. But I know it will. The Earth is not making more. No amount of fancy charts and rosy projections can change this. Fracking, tar sands and super-deep sea drilling tell me something is rotten in Denmark. It is not getting any easier. It can only get more difficult and costly with the passage of time. The longer we pretend business as usual is fine, the harder and more costly the transition to a post oil world will be. Our current system of casino capitalism does not allow for long-term solutions that may run contrary to today's bottom line or shareholder expectations.

It may be worth reminding you governments are no longer independent (not sure they ever were) keeping your best interests at heart. Even the so-called democracies, are bought, and paid for with corporate cash. Corporations, by design, have only one goal-- maximizing profits. Anything that gets in the way of that goal is crushed; regulations, climate change science, and even people. The drive for profit is short-term, and relentless. Anything or anyone that questions capitalism or the profit motive, faces ridicule here in the west, and death in too many other parts of the world.Think "dirty" hippies in the Occupy Wall Street Movement and consider our unilateral policy of "regime change" when someone dares to not go along with Uncle Sam (read oil interests) as manifestations of those who ask uncomfortable questions. No, better check out The Seahawks or Justin Bieber to stay safe. The fix is in. The game is rigged. I don't think the current system is fixable. The tiny hand full of politicians who do have everyday people's interest at heart are too few and far between. The funny or perhaps scary part is, we all know it. I write about it here on this blog. People may bring it up after a few too many drinks. I don't know of anyone who likes to think too deeply past their own time here on Earth. It's too damn scary. What do parents think? "Oh, it will work out some way or another. The kids will be fine." I hope there are not many that really feel this way. That's some sad shit. I've listened to people say, "It's harder to rock the boat with kids." Personally, I cannot think of a more important reason to rock the boat. Tip that fucker over, and teach the kids to swim. They'll thank you in the long run. Do more than bitch!

I write and try to educate both myself and others. I try to play the game as little as possible. I drive a small car that's really good on gas to and from work. It's close. My car barely has time to warm up in the winter. No, it is not enough. Far from it. But if we each take a step, the outcome can be different. We don't have to passively watch the nightmare of ever deepening and growing conflict over oil unfold. Make noise! Raise hell! We are not alone. If enough people take action, the path to a world with much little to no oil can be less violent. A lot of people will disagree with me on this one but I say don't vote. Voting is only an illusion of a democratic process as long as corporations fund the elections. The only way to beat a rigged game is stop playing. Who would listen to a congress that only could muster a 2% turn out? Everybody would know that's bullshit. I'd say there's an outside chance this can be done peacefully. Violence is a big part of the rigged game already in place. Keeping things peaceful also is a game changer. Even the darkest regimes have a tough time killing off peaceful demonstrators. The do from time to time but there is a high cost that goes along with it. Ask Mubarak. Oh! He's dead. No, just unavailable for comment. Governments do violence-- people don't. Change the game. Make government play by our rules. Rule number one- Non-Violence. Remember you're not alone!  Check out the following:

Occupy Wall St Yes, they are still around. 

Idle No More Follow the link. Check them out. 

Americans Against Fracking You got it! 

Greenpeace Hell Raisers. But for the right reasons.  

Amnesty International Human Rights. 

Green Party If You still want to vote, consider Green. I'll vote for them as well. 

A Little American History

Lynchings of Black Women

Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. 

Worth a look

Check out these two blogs...

Archdruid Report

and 

Club Orlov

Revolution

Good Summary on Revolutions Link. 

Looks there will not be one coming to a town near you in the near term, my USA friends.But when the ponzi scheme breaks down for good, what a fine mess we will have on our gun-toting hands. How far off is this? Probably not as far as we may think.   

A Story Never Told

Remember who runs our media.

Chain saws? Fucking chain saws.

Here's a "Free Trade" story that will NOT be coming to a network near you. It's also an important reminder for me why I don't support The Democratic Party.

But let's all watch the Super Bowl!