Reflections From a Murky Pond

I don’t think that even the many on the web who disagree with and despise my opinions will be able to find much fault with the simple statement that America is, or has become, a fundamentally divided nation or that our house has already all but fallen and that the union is broken in all but name and law.

I see this as an unmendable division because it’s a division caused by a disparity and existential conflict between basic world views and ideologies. As such, one or the other must be culled or excised from the body of society.

Conservatives, the largest single world view in America, focus on: patriotism, social order, strong families, personal responsibility, and free enterprise. These are all basic ethical and moral stances and/or values. One can argue against their specifics or the validity of their sources but one cannot accurately and truthfully claim that these are other ethical and moral stances and/or values.

Liberals and Progressives, on the other hand, focus on trying to protect or expand government programs for: minorities, the elderly, young people, students, and poor people. They focus almost solely upon the material aspects of the government taking care of the people. None of these are basic ethical and moral stances and/or values. Whether they be for good or ill, one cannot argue accurately and truthfully that these are other than material concerns.

That is how fundamentally divided America has become. The war isn’t between competing values; it’s between values and material effects.

As Thomas Gray penned some 270 years ago, “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” We’re all doomed, either by our own hands or those of others to read the wheel of fate, ever repeating our failures and losses.

We’re All Doomed To Repeat History

You see, George Santayana was overly optimistic when he wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” He only got it half right. He didn’t understand that, more often than not, those who do remember the past are just as doomed – or more so, because they can see what is happening – as those blissfully ignorant masses who, en mass, are the only ones with the power to effect change.

So I shall follow the true wisdom of King Solomon and too commend joy, for man has no good thing under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that his God has given him under the sun.

~*~

The Universe spirals downward to dissolution while the Reaper sits by, drinking tea sweetened with dead stars.

It’s getting close to Halloween and, for those that celebrate it in a secular manner, it’s once again time to have to listen to people rail against and bemoan all the tasty, sweet treats that will be had that night. There’s a plethora of nasty people who have always ranted against trick or treating and candies.

When I was young the hate was rationalized as concerns about dental health and today it’s all about the “obesity epidemic” manufactured by the weight-loss and fashion industries and profiteered off of by certain politicians’ War on Food.

Happily and oh-so-tastily, Yandy has come up with a delicious way to replace Halloween candies with fruits and vegetables this holiday night.

Remember, you’re suppose to get four servings each of fruits and vegetables each day. Eat up! Also, this also looks like a good way to get some heart-healthy exercise. 😆

America is a society of laws, rules, and regulations. That is its greatest failing and a symptom of the disease that may well kill her in the not-to-distant future.

There Are Rules, Rules For or Against Everything

There are rules for or, more often these days, against so many things, even many things that we’d, as normal people, would never think anyone would make a rule about. 😉

But hey! The government is made up of lawmakers and law enforcement personnel. They need to justify and secure the future of their jobs somehow. Protecting us from ourselves is just the easiest way for them to do that.

And, by the Gods, dogs smoking and drinking wine while skateboarding is obviously a clear and present danger to society! Who knows what it could lead to.

I’ve showcased reconstructions of Disney Princesses before and I’m doing it again because the concept of altering these characters to be less insipid deserves repeating and Korean artist Inshoo’s rendering of them as steampunk adventuresses is awesome.

Cinderella

Dorothy

Snow White

Ariel

 
I really don’t think these characters would be waiting around for a Prince to save them or heading off to see the Wizard in hopes that he’ll have a solution. All four of them look more like they’d solve for the problems themselves and let the Devil pick up the pieces. 😉