Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tony Judt
Okay, I recently heard an interview on NPR with Tony Judt, and then today excerpts from the interview in honor of Judt because he passed away. I don't know what it is with this guy, whether it's his raspy British old man accent, his intelligence and grace in life and with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease), or perhaps his ability to look beyond the obvious "republican" "democrat" "liberal" "tea bagger", stereotypical thinking and boxes, whatever the reason i love this guy! The inability of people to see outside of their party, to understand the good in the other side, and to look beyond the simple-one-liners that supposed fix the country is a lack of understanding of ourselves and our place, a lack of imagination, a forgetfulness of history, and fear of change / difference.
Here is a piece of his recent book: Ill Fares The Land
Something is profoundly wrong with the way we live today. For thirty years we have made a virtue out of the pursuit of material self-interest: indeed, this very pursuit now constitutes whatever remains of our sense of collective purpose. We know what things cost but have no idea what they are worth. We no longer ask of a judicial ruling or a legislative act: is it good? Is it fair? Is it just? Is it right? Will it help bring about a better society or a better world? Those used to be the political questions, even if they invited no easy answers. We must learn once again to pose them.
The materialistic and selfish quality of contemporary life is not inherent in the human condition. Much of what appears 'natural' today dates from the 1980s: the obsession with wealth creation, the cult of privatization and the private sector, the growing disparities of rich and poor. And above all, the rhetoric which accompanies these: uncritical admiration for unfettered markets, disdain for the public sector, the delusion of endless growth.
We cannot go on living like this. The little crash of 2008 was a reminder that unregulated capitalism is its own worst enemy: sooner or later it must fall prey to its own excesses and turn again to the state for rescue. But if we do no more than pick up the pieces and carry on as before, we can look forward to greater upheavals in years to come.
And yet we seem unable to conceive of alternatives. This too is something new. Until quite recently, public life in liberal societies was conducted in the shadow of a debate between defenders of 'capitalism' and its critics: usually identified with one or another form of 'socialism'. By the 1970s this debate had lost much of its meaning for both sides; all the same, the 'Left-Right' distinction served a useful purpose. It provided a peg on which to hang critical commentary about contemporary affairs.
Why am I posting this? Because people are taking themselves and their "enemies" too seriously, yet not within a socioeconomic-philosophical & historical view point. When we do think of history it is with a fairy tale nostalgia of some lost time. We are so concerned with being right and others being wrong that we may miss out on learning, surviving, and progressing as individuals and a nation.
We need to add a bit of humor in our life and a bit of compassion, it isn't wrong for a government to want, protect, or help cultivate a good quality of life for it's people. Let's throw a little Dalai Lama into the mix, my friends!
Why am I talking about this? Hmmm... I don't know, I keep trying to stay away from the obvious politic bitching, but I just can't....
Here is a piece of his recent book: Ill Fares The Land
Something is profoundly wrong with the way we live today. For thirty years we have made a virtue out of the pursuit of material self-interest: indeed, this very pursuit now constitutes whatever remains of our sense of collective purpose. We know what things cost but have no idea what they are worth. We no longer ask of a judicial ruling or a legislative act: is it good? Is it fair? Is it just? Is it right? Will it help bring about a better society or a better world? Those used to be the political questions, even if they invited no easy answers. We must learn once again to pose them.
The materialistic and selfish quality of contemporary life is not inherent in the human condition. Much of what appears 'natural' today dates from the 1980s: the obsession with wealth creation, the cult of privatization and the private sector, the growing disparities of rich and poor. And above all, the rhetoric which accompanies these: uncritical admiration for unfettered markets, disdain for the public sector, the delusion of endless growth.
We cannot go on living like this. The little crash of 2008 was a reminder that unregulated capitalism is its own worst enemy: sooner or later it must fall prey to its own excesses and turn again to the state for rescue. But if we do no more than pick up the pieces and carry on as before, we can look forward to greater upheavals in years to come.
And yet we seem unable to conceive of alternatives. This too is something new. Until quite recently, public life in liberal societies was conducted in the shadow of a debate between defenders of 'capitalism' and its critics: usually identified with one or another form of 'socialism'. By the 1970s this debate had lost much of its meaning for both sides; all the same, the 'Left-Right' distinction served a useful purpose. It provided a peg on which to hang critical commentary about contemporary affairs.
Why am I posting this? Because people are taking themselves and their "enemies" too seriously, yet not within a socioeconomic-philosophical & historical view point. When we do think of history it is with a fairy tale nostalgia of some lost time. We are so concerned with being right and others being wrong that we may miss out on learning, surviving, and progressing as individuals and a nation.
We need to add a bit of humor in our life and a bit of compassion, it isn't wrong for a government to want, protect, or help cultivate a good quality of life for it's people. Let's throw a little Dalai Lama into the mix, my friends!
Why am I talking about this? Hmmm... I don't know, I keep trying to stay away from the obvious politic bitching, but I just can't....
Monday, August 9, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Some Random Comments:
Husbands in bed now,.. so here are some random comments:
1. Finally saw dolphins (2) swimming in the ocean today while at the dog beach. It was exciting. One blew air, which sprayed water, though it's blow hole!
2.Dog keeps farting. And not just one or two slips, more like a constant hot acidic fog... could be from all the salt water he drank today.
3.Why are there so many alien shows suddenly - ever single night there is some random show about aliens in ancient myths or alien sightings....?
4. Huntington Beach Surf Open this weekend, when we were there today with the dogs (friend and i) we got a slab of board wax - or took it from a free stand - before realizing what it was,... coconut wax anyone?
5. I can eat a bowl of rice or noodles with butter and/or cheese.... and feel content. (not daily though,.. or often... occasionally)
6. Why aren't people getting sick of white wedding dresses? I am, and I never had one.... (or wanted).
7. Do you believe in curses?
8. I hate how no one will compromise in politics,.. people can't be mixed or complicated or interested in various areas,.. everyone just blames it on Repub or Dem, and now there's this whole other weird movement toward Libertarianism (which I agree with in some points, but others.... what the ****?),.. geez! When will people learn that one way just won't fix everything! it drives me nuts how everyone blames everyone else, but doesn't do anything themselves, they just pontificate about how their way (in their mind - not tested or anything) will magically just fix the entire country,..
9. Ew,... another wave of sourness in the air... (poor pooch)
10. which reminds me, when I was outside there was a little black cat (there's lots of stray cats where I live),.. I kept the door open, but the screen closed. When I came up the cat was on the front step peeking in, but then it saw us (dog and I) and ran away. Reminds of another story...
11. When I lived in Milwaukee in an attic (with husband - boyf at the time) I woke one night when it was pouring. Out on the fire escape there was a little black cat meowing, like some little spirit asking to be let in.
12. What's with people and their primate babies? eck! It really sickens my heart of hearts when wild free animals are breed or taken to fulfill some human's needs: lions, tigers, monkeys, etc... why not help one of the animals at a shelter? or if you want a little baby (as this show about Families and their primate babies that wear diapers for about 40 years) be a foster parent, work with children,...
I truly do not think these animals are happy in a fenced in area of someone's yard (big cats) or being dressed up in weird homemade clothing.
13. Flipping through the channels - UFO Hunter on right now!
14. Tomorrow means sister will be here in one week (YEAH! YEE HAW!)
15. Why is MTV's 16 & pregnant so addicting? Great idea to cut down on teen pregnancy and offer cheap daycare - high school course where teens have to do everything for babies / toddlers, it can be required course and default daycare (might work better than abstinence schooling.)
16. 20,000 new species found each year!
1. Finally saw dolphins (2) swimming in the ocean today while at the dog beach. It was exciting. One blew air, which sprayed water, though it's blow hole!
2.Dog keeps farting. And not just one or two slips, more like a constant hot acidic fog... could be from all the salt water he drank today.
3.Why are there so many alien shows suddenly - ever single night there is some random show about aliens in ancient myths or alien sightings....?
4. Huntington Beach Surf Open this weekend, when we were there today with the dogs (friend and i) we got a slab of board wax - or took it from a free stand - before realizing what it was,... coconut wax anyone?
5. I can eat a bowl of rice or noodles with butter and/or cheese.... and feel content. (not daily though,.. or often... occasionally)
6. Why aren't people getting sick of white wedding dresses? I am, and I never had one.... (or wanted).
7. Do you believe in curses?
8. I hate how no one will compromise in politics,.. people can't be mixed or complicated or interested in various areas,.. everyone just blames it on Repub or Dem, and now there's this whole other weird movement toward Libertarianism (which I agree with in some points, but others.... what the ****?),.. geez! When will people learn that one way just won't fix everything! it drives me nuts how everyone blames everyone else, but doesn't do anything themselves, they just pontificate about how their way (in their mind - not tested or anything) will magically just fix the entire country,..
9. Ew,... another wave of sourness in the air... (poor pooch)
10. which reminds me, when I was outside there was a little black cat (there's lots of stray cats where I live),.. I kept the door open, but the screen closed. When I came up the cat was on the front step peeking in, but then it saw us (dog and I) and ran away. Reminds of another story...
11. When I lived in Milwaukee in an attic (with husband - boyf at the time) I woke one night when it was pouring. Out on the fire escape there was a little black cat meowing, like some little spirit asking to be let in.
12. What's with people and their primate babies? eck! It really sickens my heart of hearts when wild free animals are breed or taken to fulfill some human's needs: lions, tigers, monkeys, etc... why not help one of the animals at a shelter? or if you want a little baby (as this show about Families and their primate babies that wear diapers for about 40 years) be a foster parent, work with children,...
I truly do not think these animals are happy in a fenced in area of someone's yard (big cats) or being dressed up in weird homemade clothing.
13. Flipping through the channels - UFO Hunter on right now!
14. Tomorrow means sister will be here in one week (YEAH! YEE HAW!)
15. Why is MTV's 16 & pregnant so addicting? Great idea to cut down on teen pregnancy and offer cheap daycare - high school course where teens have to do everything for babies / toddlers, it can be required course and default daycare (might work better than abstinence schooling.)
16. 20,000 new species found each year!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Gay Marriage in Sight?
Many people were thrilled today after hearing that Proposition 8, the ban on gay marriage in California, was found illegal during a court ruling. I've read and heard a few frightened people talk about how today's ruling is itself illegal or wrong because it goes against a previous vote for Prop 8 ( illegal for gays to marry).
Yet, per LA Times article: Wednesday's ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed last year by two homosexual couples who argued that the marriage ban violates their federal constitutional rights to equal protection and due process.
It is the individual's and people's rights to question laws, rulings, appeals, etc. As it has been throughout all of Democracy. Yeah for second responses and everyone's right to question!
The reason America is so hard to understand, yet so beautiful, is that we don't have to agree, we can be diverse, believe diverse things. Lately it's seemed as if this is impossible. We all must agree 100% on everything happening in Washington DC and in our local governments to agree with or vote for a politician or understand a group.
The point is, it doesn't matter if you think it is immoral, evil, a sin, etc... you may offend someone or many, but the point isn't that you believe in the lifestyle, the point and the law is for the ability to LEGALLY marry, and for all the accompanying rights a spouse is granted. It is not the government's job or our job to determine the truth in religion or how people live their lives,... instead we the people and we the government, need to ensure that our laws, our rights, and amendments are tolerant and equal for all citizens. Whenever the situation isn't obvious, it is complicated and worth working through: see our history with women's rights, minority rights, etc.
I'm so proud of our country, not for blinding trying to follow the same laws or beliefs that we had fifty years ago, but because we are fighters, constantly trying to ensure that we and our neighbors and our cousins and our cousins' neighbors have the same rights that we have, that our parents' have. It is a messy process. Sometimes we fail, sometimes things don't work out according to our specific belief system or how we want America to appear, or what we think is a sin, but no matter what, it is our system. Just because we don't believe in it doesn't mean it's no longer a Democracy. UNLESS someone or group actually has BROKEN THE LAW, but it is time to take a step back and breathe,... just because things don't go our way doesn't mean we throw down the plate and yell unfair and unlawful.
In this situation, I am in complete agreement,... I can't understand how gay marriage could possible threaten or end heterosexual relationships or marriages. That "theory" is built on hearsay, fear, and a weird hysteria.
Congrats Judge Walker, who kicked down the first of many dominoes propelling the issue of same sex marriage into a larger discussion of what is equal and right for EVERY individual in America.
Yet, per LA Times article: Wednesday's ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed last year by two homosexual couples who argued that the marriage ban violates their federal constitutional rights to equal protection and due process.
It is the individual's and people's rights to question laws, rulings, appeals, etc. As it has been throughout all of Democracy. Yeah for second responses and everyone's right to question!
The reason America is so hard to understand, yet so beautiful, is that we don't have to agree, we can be diverse, believe diverse things. Lately it's seemed as if this is impossible. We all must agree 100% on everything happening in Washington DC and in our local governments to agree with or vote for a politician or understand a group.
The point is, it doesn't matter if you think it is immoral, evil, a sin, etc... you may offend someone or many, but the point isn't that you believe in the lifestyle, the point and the law is for the ability to LEGALLY marry, and for all the accompanying rights a spouse is granted. It is not the government's job or our job to determine the truth in religion or how people live their lives,... instead we the people and we the government, need to ensure that our laws, our rights, and amendments are tolerant and equal for all citizens. Whenever the situation isn't obvious, it is complicated and worth working through: see our history with women's rights, minority rights, etc.
I'm so proud of our country, not for blinding trying to follow the same laws or beliefs that we had fifty years ago, but because we are fighters, constantly trying to ensure that we and our neighbors and our cousins and our cousins' neighbors have the same rights that we have, that our parents' have. It is a messy process. Sometimes we fail, sometimes things don't work out according to our specific belief system or how we want America to appear, or what we think is a sin, but no matter what, it is our system. Just because we don't believe in it doesn't mean it's no longer a Democracy. UNLESS someone or group actually has BROKEN THE LAW, but it is time to take a step back and breathe,... just because things don't go our way doesn't mean we throw down the plate and yell unfair and unlawful.
In this situation, I am in complete agreement,... I can't understand how gay marriage could possible threaten or end heterosexual relationships or marriages. That "theory" is built on hearsay, fear, and a weird hysteria.
Congrats Judge Walker, who kicked down the first of many dominoes propelling the issue of same sex marriage into a larger discussion of what is equal and right for EVERY individual in America.
Why?
Why am I writing a blog? I'm not really sure. Perhaps it's because I enjoy reading one after another of my friends', and their friends', words. Maybe I just want to be read / heard?
Either way, here it is,... Swamp Bottom Blog for anyone interested...
Why the name?
Well, swamp bottoms are secretive, muddy, reedy, rocky places.
Anything at all can be hidden there
underneath all that water.
So, although this is mainly snippets about my life,
comments on politics, culture, etc.
Perhaps something of interest will surface.
Something inspiring...
or then again,
just another moldy piece of bread,..
who knows?
(Happiness is everywhere, in each moment.)
Either way, here it is,... Swamp Bottom Blog for anyone interested...
Why the name?
Well, swamp bottoms are secretive, muddy, reedy, rocky places.
Anything at all can be hidden there
underneath all that water.
So, although this is mainly snippets about my life,
comments on politics, culture, etc.
Perhaps something of interest will surface.
Something inspiring...
or then again,
just another moldy piece of bread,..
who knows?
(Happiness is everywhere, in each moment.)
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