A Wing And A Prayer . . . And A Can Opener
Posted: Wednesday, July 07, 2010
by Michael Ramzy
delusionthread.com
Another beautiful day in America and those in the northeast are sweltering from the heat. My heart goes out to them, of course, even though I live in Texas and triple-digit temperatures are the norm. The heat to them might be as snow is to us: they live with it every winter and if there is the slightest chance of snow here, the roads and schools close and people hunker down with their 'Life Without People' DVD and wonder how long until they start looking at the pet dog as a meal.
1) Wars
We're still in Iraq and still in Afghanistan, of course. These are both never-ending adventures which has enriched the armaments industry and made Mr. Obama a warhawk. The first we all saw coming and the second blindsided everyone. Of course, the democrats will say (and have said) these are Mr. Bush's wars, and they would be right. The republicans will say (and have said) we are in these wars to win them, and they would be right. The problem is this: at what point are these wars 'won'? This isn't Germany or Japan and total surrender (or destruction), and this certainly isn't Grenada or the first Gulf War. These wars were supposed to be for 'liberation' and I just wonder what the story is. The real story. The answer? Can of worms: not that simple.
2) Arizona
So the Justice Department is now involved in a lawsuit, along with the ACLU (of course, and whether you agree or disagree with the ACLU, it is their job to file these suits), civil rights organizations, and everyone who could call 1-800-LET-SSUE. The problem is immigration, illegal immigration, and the democrats have a hard time with the first part of that term ('illegal'). The republicans have a hard time with the second part ('immigration'). What is the solution? In Arizona, just toss 'em all out. Sounds evil, right? Impractical? Of course it is. What is the can of worms on this one? Well, why are there so many illegal immigrants in Arizona - so many they have to pass a law which is just a copy (for the most part) of the federal one? Are they not going after the employers? Or is Arizona just such a beautiful state it makes people break the law to get in.
I've been to Arizona and it is beautiful, yet I really don't understand what the problem is. Either let them all in or kick them all out. I know, I know: black and white thinking is another can of worms.
3) BP Oil
Three months and the oil continues to gush. Or squirt. Or seep. Of course, they're working on it. Who is they? BP? So, we are going to rely on the people who created this disaster to fix it? That's pretty sound thinking, right? Or perhaps the government should do it? Those who want government out of our lives want the government to fix this problem, and those who want government cradle-to-grave want BP to fix it. How strange, right?
Irony is another can or worms, as we know.
So. The world spins, and we continue to spin along with her on a wing and a prayer. Those who know (and there are many, apparently) drive us and the nation and the world without opening too many cans of worms since, well, why upset things?
And yet we should remember this: as the old saying goes (from a James Bond movie, I think), we don't mind being driven, we just don't want to be taken for a ride . . .
This Article has been viewed 480 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Yeah Mike, anyway we look at the situation this whole crazy world keeps spinning around. Are we here for the ride? do we have to pay our dues? Who knows! good articleWe do have to pay, of course. Hopefully we can afford it. Thanks for commenting, as always.
Well put about excessive heat and how those of us who are not used to it are handling it! Yes, things haven't changed much and it still amazes me that it's so hard to make things happen--get things done...from wars to immigration...politics...talk and talk instead of doing something. Good article as usual and welcome back....Thanks very much. I feel as though I've been gone forever. There are a lot of articles I need to catch up on, both reading and writing. Thanks again.
Great come back article Mike.Thanks as always, sir.
Amusing and insightful, Michael. Great James Bond quote, I love it!Thanks. I think it's from 'Thunderball' with Sean Connery. He had some great one-liners, Thanks again.
You couldn't have said it better yourself. Great stuff! ThanksThanks very much. I appreciate it.
Awesome article, Michael. Being a fan of history and irony I am amazed at how "we" have to keep learning the same lesson over and over and over again.Thanks so much, Ken. It seems as though no one remembers history, or the mistakes made. Bad enough not to remember, but to disregard it when it is remembered is almost criminal. Thanks as always, sir.
Hi Mike, welcome back, though I didn't know you were gone because I was too: As usually, you have great things to say and say it greatly. God help us all - but then this could be another can of worms. Though I believe He is a great can of works and should the world ever decide to put the can opener to this can....! Blessings to you! TeresaThanks very much, Teresa. And welcome back to you as well.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.