Enough Already!
Everybody's talking, (many are screaming or shrieking, but I am rounding off here), but not too many have much to say. (You might think that includes me, if so, then so be it).
There is a lot of data out there, (I won't call if news or information), regarding a phenomena known as Tea Parties. Seems to be the next big thing, at least this election cycle.
BFD.
I have a lot of respect for the parties, (scratch that, for the idea of the parties), and for those persons that I assume comprise them, concerned voters.
But right now, they are going nowhere, and not very fast at that.
The Tea Parties are, for the most part, being used by agencies adept at drawing attention to things that serve little useful purpose, many times, (but not always), for the purpose of creating a diversion, other times simply to draw attention, and revenue, towards themselves. Some of these groups seem to take themselves, and their role, altogether too seriously.
As an example, I cite a group in Oklahoma, (again, with the utmost respect), that has petitioned certain members of the state legislature for recognition and authority in some, as yet indeterminate areas. The stated purpose of the militia would be to hold check on the encroaching power of the federal government over the sovereignty of the states.
Huh?
Let me make that a bit clearer. HUH?
This may not be the equivalent of the "shot heard 'round the world", or the first salvo at Fort Sumter, but it is something. If it comes to anything besides ridicule, it will be remembered as the next step beyond that taken by Tim McVeigh.
My point here, without being too long winded about it, is that the various groups calling themselves Tea Parties need to stand for something besides simply being mad, and focus on an issue, however small it seems. (By this I mean the individual groups need to select an issue, not the entire monolithic "we are here and mad movement"). Sounds naive I know, and possibly picayune, but the situation that we are dealing with is a pile of small things, (granted, some not as small as others), that need to be disassembled a piece at a time, the same way that the pile was created. The measure of our culture will not be that we did create it, but how we deal with it.
Now let me get back to those voices who seem to be popular with the aforementioned Tea Parties.
Let em go.
They truly are insignificant, and counterproductive to boot. They are there to make money and garner influence for themselves. In short, they are a little bit machiavellian and a lot whores. They come in many stripes, from all sides of the political spectrum, but they are the same beast.
They profit from rabble-rousing, and, I am certain, would be willing to lead whatever charge seems to be the most profitable at the moment. When these people fade from the political scene, look for them on the family values pulpit, where memories are long and the plates get passed daily.
We are talking about a profession, not always an honorable one. Be suspicious of them, just because they strike a chord does not make them logical or right. Being mad and indignant is not necessarily a good thing either.
Being really pissed off at the last administration, (who were gonna get the boot, no matter what), was what brought the present administration in, not hope, not faith in America, not time for a black man to be President or any other brand of sunshine up your ass.
A lot of people made noise and called attention to themselves and made THAT the issue, and, here we are. What else was the last national election about?
Have a nice day and think about the families in Oklahoma City who have a different memory.
posted by eccentric recluse at 10:58 AM
5 comments
