Propaganda

This afternoon, I watched the propaganda film, fahrenheit 911. Before Uncle Rico goes screaming into another room to dunk his head under water, let me explain. First, the old woman told me I ought to watch it. And, I think it has become a matter of cultural literacy. Just like seeing the original Blues Brothers and Animal House.

Anyway, I have a few observations I will probably express badly. But, here it goes.

One, I'm amazed that the American Peoples aren't more pissed off at some of the Too coincidental to really be coincidental circumstances surrounding the election of W and the subsequent ups and downs of his administration. I'm pretty appalled that he would be on "vacation" 40+ percent of the time in the first 8 months of his term in office. How many other jobs could you do that and still stay employed?

Two, it seems to me that the American Military is in something of a pinch when it comes to servicing the needs of soldiers in combat. On one hand, the military and the individual soldiers believe that they have a job to do, and that they must participate in dehumanizing activities to accomplish that job. It seems that the individual soldiers do believe that the ends -- ending the fear and threat of terrorism and the eventual restoration of peace -- is a noble and worthy cause and that that end justifies the less than savory by products of trying to reach that goal. But, it seems that the toll participation in such dehumanizing violence is so broad and long lasting that the military really can't address those mental health issues and keep the men/women fighting. I mean - from a psychology standpoint - how do you help people reconcile their humanity with inhumanity? From what I've seen and heard -- outside the movie -- it seems that the military isn't doing a particularly good job of helping those soldiers who return stateside find peace with themselves sufficient to return to a normal functioning level for civilian life. I think this is sad and a problem. I wonder if the administration understands the number of people who will never function normally again as a result of these lapses?

Third, it seems that recruiting for new bodies for the war requires selling the noble goal. It is an awesome thing to be willing to die for a cause bigger than you, your family, your home, or your community. It seems that whenever you see reports of another life lost, inevitably the survivors comment on the selflessness and fantastic qualities of the person lost. I would think that a sane society would want to keep the selfless, smart, talented, and generous people within the country rather than kill them off.

But, as I've said before and will say again, people rarely ask for my opinion and that's probably a good thing.

The only really good thing I've made this weekend is coffee milkshakes -- with coffee ice cream, milk, some powdered espresso, and kahlua -- TASTY!