Comment Re:Ssshhhh..... (Score 1) 672
Figuring out who "they" are is always difficult. I think it even relates specifically to the topic in that the paranoids are seeing the government as a "they" (conscious entity) that could bend its will to oppressive ends. In the US right now, that simply does not appear to be the case.
Their paranoia does have basis in regimes around the world for certain, but the United States has not seen that form of ilk since McCarthyism -- but even that proceeded with the knowing cooperation of the fearful citizens.
Without widespread cooperation from the public, the most evil that that usually results (speaking in the framework of western patterned democracies) done is a "small" scandal or two that has no major impact on the country (See the "*gate"s of Clinton, Bush Sr., Regan, etc...)
On the upside, as long as the paranoids exist (and the rest of us at least have our ear to them in case they find something truly shocking-- laughing otherwise) the general public will not be completely sheeped into Orwellian darkness. We all know this can and has happened-- Weimar Germany being the foremost example.
This is why as much as I think the paranoids are wrong, I appreciate their existence.
On parties -- I used to be a Democrat :) Now (as I've grown to a ripe old age of 24- and I know I won't be fully grown until I'm dead =) I've decided to be unaffiliated/libertarian leaning because I found myself often preferring secular Republicans to socialist Democrats, and now my vote usually ends up split between the two parties based on candidates. I rarely vote Libertarian Party as the candidates that I've had the choice of have been often radical Libertarians (loonies) as opposed to someone who would at least be competent (even if corrupt).
Bush lost me awhile ago though-- I thought he handled 9/11 admirably, but since then I've just been less than impressed, and often dismayed.
I think we need to continue to do the job right and get to the bottom of things... but wow it takes a lot of research and thought!
Their paranoia does have basis in regimes around the world for certain, but the United States has not seen that form of ilk since McCarthyism -- but even that proceeded with the knowing cooperation of the fearful citizens.
Without widespread cooperation from the public, the most evil that that usually results (speaking in the framework of western patterned democracies) done is a "small" scandal or two that has no major impact on the country (See the "*gate"s of Clinton, Bush Sr., Regan, etc...)
On the upside, as long as the paranoids exist (and the rest of us at least have our ear to them in case they find something truly shocking-- laughing otherwise) the general public will not be completely sheeped into Orwellian darkness. We all know this can and has happened-- Weimar Germany being the foremost example.
This is why as much as I think the paranoids are wrong, I appreciate their existence.
On parties -- I used to be a Democrat
Bush lost me awhile ago though-- I thought he handled 9/11 admirably, but since then I've just been less than impressed, and often dismayed.
I think we need to continue to do the job right and get to the bottom of things... but wow it takes a lot of research and thought!
