The Last Refuge of Scoundrels

I don't fear very much. I have been able to roll with the punches I have encountered in my life with a pragmatic ease. I think it comes from knowing that everything happens for a reason...cause and effect. The only thing that really scares me is being able to see a picture that is much bigger than most people see, and not being able to communicate the reason for my fear to others.

As you may have noticed, the economy in the USA is a bonafide, first class mess. Watching the stock markets here is currently akin to watching a monkey trying to f%ck a football. Everybody laughs, but no one is really having fun. The wild point swings of 8, 9 and 10% in one day on the DJIA are not only foreign to investors, they can be absolutely horrifying to daytraders. There is money to be made, but only if you're on the right side of the swing.

I guess the reason I started this post was to talk about something that I thought was dead here, but seems to be making a remarkable (and really well timed) comeback. Patriotism.

I have always looked at people who call themselves Patriots as front runners; "America-Love it or Leave it" types who will blindly defend what THEY believe this country stands for to the end. I know some of these "patriots" from my everyday life. Nice people, but don't get them started. I couldn't help but notice how many of them came out hiding after 911. Many more emerged from their slumber when W decided to open a can of whoopass on Iraq. There is no room for a dissenting view with a patriot. It's their way, or the highway. They really believe that patriotism is what makes America great.

I disagree. People caring about each other is what makes America great. Tolerance for viewpoints you may not agree with makes America great. A healthy and vibrant and diverse economy is what makes America great. All of these attributes seem to be declining as quickly as the Dow at 3:55 pm. And we are all left wondering where the bottom will be.

The mainstream media is consistently delivering terrible news that directly affects the economic health of this country, and yet, on some of the worst news, the market shudders a little, then skyrockets. At the end of the business day, the TV analysts pat themselves on the back, and tell us, "See...it really isn't THAT bad out there", then start the REAL manipulation.

What I see happening everyday is a deliberate and calculated diversion strategy. The news networks do everything they can to keep your mind off of how bad things really are for your family. Do any of these ring a bell with you? Proposition 8, Baby Caylee, Pregnant Man Pregnant Again, etc etc. I could go on, but that is not my point. In addition, the media is also making a concerted effort to point out our enemies. Russia, Osama Bin Laden, China, North Korea have all been in the news lately.

The big picture for me is that the powers that be WANT you to be deaf, blind and frightened...really truly scared out of your wits. Only then can they really take control of the peasants. When they get their wish, you'll understand the title of this post.