Bowling For Bailouts
[ Comments Off ]Posted on August 24, 2009 by admin in Popular Media
Monday, August 24th, 2009Michael Moore’s new film Capitalism: A Love Story in theaters October 2, 2009
I’ve been a little hard on Michael Moore in the past, but in my heart of hearts I believe that, much like President Obama (who I think is a good man swimming in a shark tank), his heart is probably in the right place, regardless of where his ego is. My only real criticism of his films – that they seem more geared toward entertainment and profit than action – is pointless. It’s not his fault that Americans won’t watch a serious film about a serious topic, or that no approach seems to motivate them to act on the things that make them angry or unhappy. So I’m pretty excited to see what Moore has put together this time for Capitalism: A Love Story , due for an October 2, 2009 release. I’ve written plenty on topics like corporate vs individual rights, bailout apathy, fictitious capital, and revolution; so I have some hope that although no-one seems to mind that grotesquely wealthy Americans are getting wealthier while other Americans are going hungry and enjoying a 16.5% nationwide unemployment rate, maybe they’ll still want to learn a bit about it while munching on some popcorn. Read the rest of this entry »
Revolutionary Holiday Ideas For July
[ Comments Off ]Posted on July 1, 2009 by admin in Holidays
Wednesday, July 1st, 2009I’d like to officially propose my birthday – July 9 – as a new national holiday rooted in the time-honoured traditions of Bastille Day and Independence Day. And I’d also like to propose that we don’t wear silly tricorn hats.
  And no silly tricorn hats, okay? |
During the reign of a corrupt government, a country faces a major financial crisis, triggered in part by the cost of engaging in an overseas war, and exacerbated by an unequal system of taxation. Eventually the middle class of this country grows tired of the corrupt beauracracy and stages a revolution. Sounds like the storyline for a realistic, near-future dystopian film, doesn’t it? Well, if you know your history, you’ll recognize the scenario as what we more commonly refer to as the “French Revolution”. Which is an amusing coincidence (but not ironic), since the expensive overseas war that brought the French all these financial woes was the American Revolution, and both events are celebrated this month; the US celebrates its independence on July 4, and Bastille Day is on July 14. We’ve been prattling on a lot lately about our right to revolution, so if you feel the motives utilized by both the French and the colonial Americans were legitimate and would like to start another revolution, I’d like to suggest perhaps we get things rolling on July 9. Not only is it conveniently between the two dates, but it’s my birthday and would make the day very special for me for the rest of my life. I promise I’ll come up with some catchy slogan involving the consumption of sweets or pastries or something, and maybe we’ll end up with some cool new idea like the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. I personally think that notion needs a refresh, how ’bout you?
Don’t Start The Revolution Without Me
[ 8 Comments ]Posted on June 14, 2009 by admin in Politics
Sunday, June 14th, 2009Are you happy with the way things are? If not, are you brave enough to change them?
Are Americans Too Apathetic To Do This? |
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our social contract, and how the Right of Revolution is written right into the second paragraph of America’s Declaration of Indpendence. Why has this been on my mind? Because I honestly think our system of government is broken. I mean, broken from a citizen’s point of view; from the point of view of those who rule, everything’s pretty much how they like it. The masses are busy watching TV and laboring to buy things they can’t afford, and the power structure is resistant to anything short of a lobby group that’s backed by millions of dollars, or an all out revolution. And things are failing. Education is failing, health care is an atrocity, financial institutions have failed, major industries are collapsing, and even basic civility has taken a major hit over the last 20 or 30 years. So when will we as a collective react? I was inspired a little bit recently when a friend pointed me to a bunch of information about Situationist International, the French movement of the 50′s and 60′s that is credited with motivating the May 1968 wildcat strikes that literally brought France to a standstill. Why? Because in my view, nothing has been more Read the rest of this entry »
Vive La Revolucion!
[ Comments Off ]Posted on July 14, 2008 by admin in Editorial & Opinion
Monday, July 14th, 2008Either celebrate the french revolution, or shut up and eat your fries.
If we stormed a prison in America today, we’d only be freeing a bunch of corrupt politicians. That is, if our justice system worked. Hats off to the French in celebration of the republic. We could use a little revolution ourselves about now. And for all you France-bashers out there: shut up and eat your fries. All 24 pounds of them. Any country that has Carla Bruni as First Lady is doing things better than we are.