ThingsPondered

(Warning: Not for the weak-stomached or faint of heart.)

In late winter 2003, the United States of America had a President named George W. Bush.  He was, at that time, exploiting the 9/11 attack on our country in order to promote war on Iraq.  This war-making would be very beneficial to his and his friends’ financial interests and, he hoped, to his political career.  A rather weak-willed citizenry followed him like the proverbial drove of dumb sheep.

It was my blessing (or curse) to see then that this would be another Vietnam-like fiasco and waste of lives.  Thus, I participated in a march for peace (also known as anti-war) in the nation’s capitol.  This was on the Ides of March, 2003.  A month later, the USA entered the protested war. 

For the sake of historians who relish primary sources, I would like to publicly report the text on signs of my fellow marchers.  A thorough knowledge of the players, allies, scapegoats, and the nation’s mood and contemporary pop culture will be needed to understand some of the messages. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

How did our oil get under their sand?

Read my apoca-lips.

Dad, I need money for gas.  Can I start a war?

Chiracq for American president.

Merci, France!  Danke, Deurschland!

Empty warheads in White House.

W stands for wrong.

The Pope, France, Germany, and Daddy can’t all be wrong.

Make love on a rock.

Drunken draft dodger drives country into ditch.

Bush: war-whore.  Whose missile is bigger?  (This accompanied by racy cartoon drawing with a missile replacing a male anatomical feature.)

(A sign carried by a young woman:  ) 

The only BUSH I trust is my own.

We know Saddam has the weapons because we have the receipts.

Support our troops:  Bring them home!

Tea for peace delegates                                    $325

Conference room                                            $1,80

Hotel rooms                                                     $3,445

           PEACE                                                   PRICELESS!         

I miss sex in the White House.

Who would Jesus bomb?

I’m in shock but not in awe.

Frodo has lost.  Bush has the ring.

No child left behind really means send them to Iraq.

(On an 8-year-old boy’s T-shirt:  ) 

Am I collateral damage?

A sandwich-board sign on a jack Russell terrier…

(One side) Little Dog for Peace.

(Other side) He’s not my President!

Now, in 2009, many more people agree with the marchers.  A bit late, I say.  Hopefully, we will finally remember history so as to avoid being condemned to repeat it.

With much irony:  Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. *

Maren E. Morgan-Thomson

·         *It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.

All this hullabaloo over dead Michael Jackson!  I think there is a clash between reality versus “hero-fication” of the artist.   The USA is feeling the need for a hero right now, and posthumous production insures that the object of worship won’t do anything embarrassing or unworthy of the honor.

Michael contributed to the pop music scene.  He had some good tunes.  And, yes, he composed or contributed to the composition of some of them.  His team produced some good music videos.  And, yes again, Michael actively contributed to the creative process for some.

Michael’s personal life is rather well-known.  He was not perfect.  And, his life was darker than a “run of the mill not-perfect.”  Some would say he was dangerously mentally ill: especially his attitude towards children.

When honoring someone for career achievement, should personal life have a bearing?  You decide.

In my book, whether or not personal life is considered, Michael Jackson was not so exemplary or artistically creative to deserve the huge accolades some are bestowing.  MANY other musicians and performers are more worthy of honor.

I really don’t care whether and when the U.S. government announces that the country is in a recession or a depression (although I doubt we will have a declaration of depression – what a downer.  Can you imagine what the emotion-driven stock market’s reaction would be?)  Folk signs of our recession have been clear for over a year.  All the while that Dubya’s toadies were denying it, we common folk in service and retail businesses knew it was here.

I remember reading a Wall Street Journal article about broom sales.  It proposed that declines in broom sales indicated tough economic times.  As the households of the rank and file feel the pinch, one of the money-saving decisions is to “make do” with the old broom instead of splurging on a new one.  Other industries show this making do with what we have: carpet cleaning and plastic surgery.  Both of these have experienced less activity over the last two years.  Many of us knew in which direction the country  was heading.

Saving versus spending.  I am not an economist.  Therefore, it baffles me that we citizens are urged to spend money that we do not have.  A less drastic, yet equally mystifying, notion is that we are encouraged to spend what money we DO have.  Why isn’t saving for retirement, for long-term care, for a rainy day, a good thing?  It sounds good to me.  Actually, it sounds downright mature and responsible.  I guess I will never understand.  Nonetheless, a depression will be a very personal challenge.

My grandparents and parents survived the one in the 1930’s.  I know intellectually that I can, too. But the practical aspects are utterly scary. 

This morning on my way to work I heard an expression on the radio which really caught my attention.  It was “… this morning, President Obama…” read by the newscaster just as naturally as could be.  It made my heart sing.  Furthermore, it made me realize how huge a burden has been weighing me down for the last eight years.

Of, course the whole debacle of the undecided election, Florida, the chads, the coincidence that one of the candidates had a brother as governor…we remember that.  So, that group of incidences led many American citizens to feel that Dubya was not the winner of the election and not THEIR president.  I was a member of this group.  Before the United States started sending its military to Gulf War Part Two, I travelled to Washington, D.C. to participate in an anti-war march.  There were many marchers (and their pets) with signs declaring “He’s not MY president.”  I couldn’t agree more heartily.  In fact, I could not bear to hear that baboon’s voice.  For the last eight years, I have been switching the station whenever G.W.Bush came on the radio or television.  Why? Because he was an imposter impersonating a president.

Now, today, we have a real President!  O Joy of Joys!  What a fantastic feeling of relief I have!  I did not appreciate how much I was hating the expression “President of the United States” until now.  Fortunately, those days are over. I think that the election of Barack Obama is one of the greatest and most momentous events in my lifetime!  Way to go, bro!

The television news programs state that the number of personnel serving as security for this inauguration is four times larger than the number for the previous one.  Those of us who have little use for “W” find this totally reasonable.  However, the increase in the technology of terrorism also makes it appropriate.  Lastly, there are unfortunately a few nut cases left walking around free and unrestrained who still embrace racial prejudice.  On this most momentous and historic inauguration of a black man, the United states cannot allow a hater to harm the President.

Besides the uniformed and plainclothes security people handling the movement of VIPs and the crowd, consider what other people must be involved.  This is, in some ways, a performance.  It is a huge performance requiring a “crew.”  There must be people to handle “costumes;” equipment such as stands, telecommunications, and vehicle maintenance; first aid, and food service .  All of these people must be at the highest level of security clearance, trustworthiness, and competence.

I am thrilled enough just to be alive and watching this historic event on television.  What a story the crewpeople will be able to tell: perhaps something such as “I did an emergency hem repair for Michelle Obama.”

As Uncle Jay, of Uncle Jay Explains the News , says: this Inauguration is going to be “momentous.”  It is our country’s first dark-skinned President and first dark-skinned First Lady.  Just as my parents never thought they would live to see people land on the moon, I did not think I would live to see an African-American president of the United States.  We are extremely pleased that we are witnessing these events in the progress of humankind.

I offer this prayer in honor of the occasion:

Dear Kind and Loving God of Goodness:

Please keep the Obama family, both the nuclear family and the extended relatives, safe in eye of your care.  Please have all the guardian angels and spirits on duty and all the apprentice angels in on the act.  Thank you for this momentous moment in the history of our country, a country that tries hard to do the right thing but sometimes stumbles.  Let the Inauguration Day be a joyful celebration of a fitting and proud step for our citizens and for all your purposes.

The first African-American First Lady will start her reign in a few days and the country is wishing her and her family much success.  Happily, a few trail-blazers, notably Hilary Clinton, have encouraged the American public to regard the First Lady as more than a woman whose clothing and hairstyle must be inspected and dissected at every turn.  Therefore, let’s have the media boycott mention of Michelle’s clothing.  Please.

Michelle Obama is an attorney, an activist, and a mother of young children.  She has many options for how she will direct her energy and we can support her in whatever roles she chooses.   Also, we can support her decision about how much limelight she attracts.  From what I can tell, getting the family settled in the new house and schools is her first priority.  Although the public may be clamoring for news about Mrs. Obama, our closest token to royalty, I am betting that she keeps level-headed control over her life, as always.

Mazel tov, Mrs. Obama!