America, stupidity and the world

[Paul Bruening]

My lovely wife and I recently drove to Atlanta to catch Return to Forever at the Cobb Energy Center (I actually wept during Stanley Clarke's stand-up, bass solo, it was so beautiful) and The Dark Knight at the IMAX in Buford.

 

While there, we tried to do a few tourist things. One of which was to visit Williams Street. That's the place where they make socially redeeming art like Aqua Teen Hunger Force (my fav) as well as other fine animated productions. Well, the security guy wasn't just rude to us, he scrutinized us like we were some kind of danger. We didn't really get what his reaction was all about. So, we just hung our heads and walked away.

 

It was hotter'n'hell and twice as muggy slogging through the Atlanta streets, making our way to the High Museum. We spotted a cool old steam train in the lobby window of the Norfolk Southern Building. My dad was the president of the Canton and Carthage Railroad back before I was born. He frequently talked about their old Baldwin steam locomotive. So, I grew up with a child-like fascination with steamers. I saw this thing in the window and HAD to go in and get a look. We go inside and say hello to the front counter security guy. He asks what we want. I ask him if we can look at the steamer. He says, "No." Stupid me, I say, "It's twenty feet over there. I promise I won't steal anything." He gets this threatening look on his face and quotes security procedures in a very stern voice. I tell him, "Sorry. We'll go."

 

My wife and I are sitting outside on a short wall trying to figure out what that was about. It occurs to us, "Is this because of 9/11?" We get to the High and stop at the front entrance desk. They want me to check my briefcase into coat check. I figure that this is reasonable. So, we go over to coat check. The lady asks me to open it and show the contents. I do so. As I'm opening it, she starts stepping back like something bad is going to happen. I show her the computer that's inside. She hikes up on her toes and peeks inside like something is going to pop out at her. She says, "Okay," and takes the briefcase. We go back to the entrance counter to confirm we're not dangerous and I ask the crew of security staff if something has happened in Atlanta recently. They look at me with blank stares. I continue, "It's just that everywhere we've been to so far has been really nervous about something and treated us like we were dangerous or something." The security guy answers with a rehearsed policy statement, "Sir, these measures are put in place for your protection."

 

I'm not in a position in life to know what actual threat terrorists are. But, I'm pretty sure they haven't put the creators of Aqua Teen Hunger Force on the top of their "Hey, let's bomb that" list. Nor, do I think the terrorists drool over the merits of taking out our critical steam based land transportation fleet. And, while the Daubigny and Monet where so beautiful I did, briefly, contemplate a little snatch and run, I would rather assume the terrorists consider the High's Bauhaus building to be terrorizing enough.

 

The point is: We've lost our fargin' minds here in America. Maybe there's a good reason for all this paranoia. But it also makes terrorists of us all. We were glad to get back home to our small town where we know the only danger we represent is to the cow population when we grill some steaks in the back yard.

[Saul Rodgar]

The size of a nation's fear is directly proprotional to the size of its guilt. If only we didn't go around bullying (and selectively invading) other nations on a whim, displaying double moral standards, and securing American interests (payed with blood) around the world, things would be different.

 

When an American president decries with a straight face the Russian invasion and overrun of a smaller sovereign country having himself ordered the invasion and overrun of a smaller sovereign country, you know there is something incredibly wrong.

 

Hey, America pursues "regime change" in democratically elected governments all the time, why shouldn't the Russians do the same?

 

And then they wonder why the hate us and want nothing more than to bomb us to oblivion.

 

Gotta go, who is that knocking on the door ? . .

Edited August 15, 2008 by Saul Rodgar

[Dan Goulder]

When an American president decries with a straight face the Russian invasion and overrun of a smaller sovereign country having himself ordered the invasion and overrun of a smaller sovereign country, you know there is something incredibly wrong.

Ah...Nobody takes that clown seriously anymore. (What's amazing is that anyone ever did.)

[Daniel Smith]

3:40 in, that is legendary... lmao

[David Auner aac]

I've no doubt the "idiot Americans" segment is genuine. But it'a cheap shot. Do enough street interviews, you can find idiotic answers in any country.

 

Nope, you got that wrong. You oughta do enough to get the not idiotic ones! ;)

Been there, done that. It ain't fun in my book!

 

Cheers, Dave

[Damien Bhatti]

The point is: We've lost our fargin' minds here in America. Maybe there's a good reason for all this paranoia. But it also makes terrorists of us all.

 

 

Actually the paranoia factor is really useful for governments in that it instills fear and fear of an unknown enemy promotes money invested into defense or war depending on whats happening at the time. I've just finished watching "Road to Guantanamo Bay," a documentary about 3 innocent British Muslims, detained there for no reason for about 3 years (they where arrested in pakistan/afghanistan and presumed to be part of al qaeda.) I dont know about who else is in that prison but I think its there also as a way of fixing/solidifying the term of terrorist in the minds eye of the public, via the media.

 

Its in governments interests to keep people from becoming too intellectual - they dont want a nation of free thinking, independently minded - uncontrollable individuals. People who are not educated, or even better, people who gleefully wallow in their ignorance for acceptance amongst peers/colleagues/friends (I dont know why people react like this but academic intelligence in the school I went to was chastised somewhat by certain students, like intelligence was some kind of abnormality) - well it just makes people more pliable for governments to carry out their whims and fancies undetected.

[Saul Rodgar]

Actually the paranoia factor is really useful for governments in that it instills fear and fear of an unknown enemy promotes money invested into defense or war depending on whats happening at the time.

 

Like we have had that problem here in the US! :P

 

You are right on the money though. That is why religion is always been the "opium of the people" to quote a writer who shall remain unnamed, or else the Homeland Sec men will surely take me this time. Here in the US the opium of the people would be TV, cheap gas, low taxes and worldwide hegemony. But above all: the notion that the government is essentially good. "If the president says we need to go to war, by god, he must have good reasons," goes the thinking.

[Damien Bhatti]

Here in the US the opium of the people would be TV, cheap gas, low taxes and worldwide hegemony.

 

I would have to lump in religion as well in that sentence. Myths such as religion, and I use "myth" in the positive sense, are excellent vehicles to reinforce divisions. I worship like this, and they dont. And patriotism as well is another extremely powerful tool for rallying people. governments know all these tactics and implement them to do what they have always done, get more money.

 

I think I have been watching too much of that Zeigeist film:

 

 

^ interesting :-)

[Damien Bhatti]

Actually a bit more to the point:

 

[Damien Bhatti]

3:40 in, that is legendary... lmao

 

What exactly is "legendary," about that?

[Daniel Smith]

What exactly is "legendary," about that?

....

 

it's cynical humour. laughing at right wing extremist maniacs that is.

[Daniel Smith]

--- which was the intent of the video.

[Damien Bhatti]

....

 

it's cynical humour. laughing at right wing extremist maniacs that is.

 

For the tiniest fraction of a split nano second I wondered what you meant! Sorry Daniel, easy to get confused without intonation on the tinselnet.

[Daniel Smith]

lol no worries, it does get confusing at times.. (msn and girlfriends do NOT go well...)

 

 

In Americas defence though, they are so big why should they care about other countries? A few states away for America is like a different country for Europeans.

[Daniel Smith]

I know it's the fashion these days to know every religion/country/culture going but it's no necessity.

[Hal Smith]

Bashing anyone's country and beliefs in an international forum is just plain rude.

[David Rakoczy]

Bashing anyone's country and beliefs in an international forum is just plain rude.

 

I agree.. it is also amazing how self-destructive (most) 'americans' really are. There is so little gratitude for this Country and that void has been filled with one conspiracy paranoia after another. It is like the spoiled little children whose parents have given them everything and every opportunity and , yet, still they shout "I hate you"! And comparing the liberation of Iraq to what Russia wants to IMPOSE on Georgia is most amazing! Anyway, thank GOD for the Electoral College System or this Country would be over and out...

 

This forum does demonstrate the far-left BIAS in the Film Making Community as a whole.

 

As a side note to all the FOX bashers.. FOX is the ONLY Network to run a stop watch on the left and right perspectives to be sure each is getting equal time. The ONLY one. So, the mere fact that you 'react' so viscerally because you do hear conservative perspectives on FOX as opposed to not hearing (any) on MSNBC, CNN, ABC etc... shows how one sided you really want to be. Oh those pesky conservatives.....can't FOX shut them up like everyone else has? And they call FOX biased... wow! The stopwatch tells a different story...

Edited August 24, 2008 by David Rakoczy

[Guest]

Bashing anyone's country and beliefs in an international forum is just plain rude.

 

Well considering that 200K people turned out in Germany to hear Obama speak I don't think you'll have to worry about this much longer if he's your next president :D

 

R,

[Andrew McCarrick]

----

Edited August 24, 2008 by Andrew McCarrick

[David Rakoczy]

The American People will ultimately say 'Heck No' to Obama... because of his Socialistic views... not because they think he is the anti-christ. btw.. no where in Revelation does it talk about a Muslim background or him being in his 40's. To understand the book of Revelation, you have to understand Daniel 2 & 7. If you are really interested in finding out who/ what the Antichrist is and what the Mark of the Beast is... do the Free Prophecy Course at www.BibleUniverse.com

Edited August 24, 2008 by David Rakoczy

[Guest]

The anti-Christ will destroy every thing while in power???????

 

Hey....the anti-Christ is George W. Bush, I knew it!

 

He's destroyed every thing while in power, the economy, civil liberties, America's public finances, America's standing in the world........

 

Oh no wait, he's not the anti-Christ....he's Gilligan!!

 

R,

[Andrew McCarrick]

The anti-Christ will destroy every thing while in power???????

 

Hey....the anti-Christ is George W. Bush, I knew it!

 

He's destroyed every thing while in power, the economy, civil liberties, America's public finances, America's standing in the world........

 

Oh no wait, he's not the anti-Christ....he's Gilligan!!

 

R,

 

Actually the econmies doing fine.... only 5% of homes are in foreclousre. Not to mention that's just the national average, most states are far below that. Most housing markets are actually doing much better than normal. We're at the lowest unemployment rate in a while, the stock markets are still slightly down but up relative to the last few months, and crude oil is at 115, down over 35 dollars from the past month, because world wide demand is down (thanks to China removing cars from their streets.). OPEC actually wants to cut back supply cause the supply is far above the demand. Gasoline should be 3.50 national average sometime in the next two weeks.

 

The main problem with the economy (actually housing) is the failing of FannieMae and FreddieMac, giving mortages to individuals who the bankds knew couldn't pay them off. My suggestions is watch the Fox Business Network for one day (if you get it).

 

And far as my signature I got it from here (http://signs.cafepress.com/item/quotthe-antichrist-obamaquot-yard-sign/277667050)

 

P.S.: I'm atheist.

Edited August 25, 2008 by Andrew McCarrick

[Guest]

"only 5% of homes"

 

Oh yes I forgot about the housing crisis as millions of Americans lose their homes.

 

Luckily the Wall Street multi-millionaire bankers are receiving billions in bail outs so that at least they can keep their mansions, phew...for a second there things looked really bad :blink:

 

R,

[Paul Bruening]

Actually the econmies doing fine.... only 5% of homes are in foreclousre. Not to mention that's just the national average, most states are far below that. Most housing markets are actually doing much better than normal. We're at the lowest unemployment rate in a while, the stock markets are still slightly down but up relative to the last few months, and crude oil is at 115, down over 35 dollars from the past month, because world wide demand is down (thanks to China removing cars from their streets.). OPEC actually wants to cut back supply cause the supply is far above the demand. Gasoline should be 3.50 national average sometime in the next two weeks.

 

The main problem with the economy (actually housing) is the failing of FannieMae and FreddieMac, giving mortages to individuals who the bankds knew couldn't pay them off. My suggestions is watch the Fox Business Network for one day (if you get it).

 

And far as my signature I got it from here (http://signs.cafepress.com/item/quotthe-antichrist-obamaquot-yard-sign/277667050)

 

P.S.: I'm atheist.

 

I'm really not trying to get into a flame war. I just want to clear some cobwebs from my old-fart brain. Are you and David saying you get your information from FOX news?

[David Rakoczy]

I'm really not trying to get into a flame war. I just want to clear some cobwebs from my old-fart brain. Are you and David saying you get your information from FOX news? ='Paul Bruening'

[/quote]

 

I can only speak for myself, I watch CNN, MSNBC, FOX, Headline News, Cspan, Cspan2.. yes, and even the BBC... love reading the Op Pages from most any rag, Blogs, Twitters, etc...

 

..then.. make a decision!

 

If you don't watch FOX.. you definitely, with out a doubt, in no way, are you getting balanced News.. period. That is just the way it is.

 

The 'stop watch' tells the story....

 

In full disclosure, as an [independent], I wish a third Party would take steam... one that ADHERES to the Constitution and returns to the States the right to make their own decisions... 'multiple' sociological tests are better than one 'large, all inclusive' central government test. But that, sadly, is what people here in the US seem to want and that is what Obama is sure to deliver.

 

The BEST thing this Country could do right here and now, today, is... pass the Enumerated Powers Act:

 

http://johnshadegg.house.gov/news/Document...ocumentID=13333