freethefly

Published on Monday, October 17, 2005 by CommonDreams.org The Mindless American: A Tragedy In The Making by Doug Soderstrom As a result of nine-eleven’s jarring impact upon our nation, journalists have discovered a near paranoid rise in retaliation against individuals attempting to expose governmental malfeasance. Increasingly government officials have begun punishing individuals for nothing more than reasoned attempts to inform the American public concerning: How the military has systematically abused (tortured) foreign detainees; How the government intentionally withheld evidence suggesting that an attack upon the United States by Al Qaeda had been eminent; How the military has begun to wage war upon soldiers who, in good conscience, have come to believe that it is wrong for them to kill in a war that, according to international law, is illegal, one that, the reasons for going to war, were fabricated by the President of the United States; How the United States has a sixty-year history (1945- 2005) of assassinating foreign leaders who have chosen not to support the government’s foreign policy goals, initiating the overthrow of duly-elected foreign democracies, while simultaneously supporting brutal authoritarian dictatorships all in order to fill the coffers of America’s military-industrial complex, an egregious imperialistic force with but one goal: To take command of the world economy. As a result, many of these individuals have been incarcerated, accused of being a traitor, of having sided with the enemy, told that their career will be destroyed, and threatened with extended imprisonment. Accordingly, on September 21, 2005, U.S. immigration officials banned Robert Fisk, an internationally renowned British journalist, on his way to deliver a speech in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from entering the United States of America due to incisive criticism of the Bush administration’s handling of the Iraq war. No doubt such a scenario has, and is, being repeated many times over in our country. A rather sad fact for a president who has chosen to make such a big deal about the oft-quoted ideals of “freedom and democracy!” But even more shameful is the fact that there are people who seem not to care that such things are taking place in our country; a rather ignorant crowd of jingoes more comfortable choosing to sit back pretending that everything will be just fine, a people with apparently little regard for the facts. As a behavioral scientist, I am grieved at what appears to be a near pandemic of disinterest in what is happening to our country. Given the election of George Walker Bush as our president, our country made it quite clear that it is pleased to have as its president a scoundrel, a true terrorist, one more than willing to bully the rest of the world, as opposed to having chosen a real man, one that humanity might embrace as a man of true character (someone like Jimmy Carter), an individual committed to doing what is best for the world (rather than what is most profitable for those running the petrol, armament, pharmaceutical, and construction industries), one with a desire to do what must be done in order to create a more humane world, one of peace, justice, and love. Although we claim to be a Christian nation, having chosen George Walker Bush to be the leader of our nation is a scandal beyond belief, one that mocks the very name of one whose life embodies that which we have been said to believe. However, now that I am well into my seventh decade of life and very near retirement, I have come to the conclusion that the world basically sucks, that there are few who seem to have the investigative courage to take a good hard look at things that, if discovered, would no doubt destroy one’s image of a land that can do no wrong, one that they believe has somehow received the eternal blessing of God. So I must ask: How is it that we have become such a mindless nation, a society populated by deadheads, folks who seem to have little desire to look beyond the thinly-veneered surface of life? As a behavioral scientist, it appears that a vast share of folks in our nation have chosen to relinquish a quality no doubt essential to authentic human life….. an existential responsibility to think for themselves, an ontological need to discount the petty concerns that drive the minds of those directed by triviality. It seems that such individuals have become so fantastically preoccupied with, essentially enamored by, the norm of what others think, they have effectively relinquished, through a process of cognitive foreclosure, the capacity to think for themselves. Having become so extremely alienated from the core of their own being, they have little choice but to follow the crowd’s madding need to forge a symbiotic attachment to, in essence relationship with, a society, that for all practical purposes has become the basis of their own identity, the bedrock of their very being. Having done so, the image they have forged for themselves (who they believe themselves to be) has become every bit as fabricated, every bit as disconnected from reality, as their image of society. So in wanting to have at their disposal a more a positive image of themselves, they have been left with little choice but to construct a glorified image of society; an image of what they wish society would have been rather than what it has, in fact, turned out to be. Something like having chosen to have built an ego-incased frame constructed upon the shifting sands of inane social rumor and outright public lies…… truly a flight of fancy bordering on the absurd! Very few would disagree with the proposition that in Hitler’s Germany there was a determined effort to brainwash the people so they might support Mein Fuhrer’s efforts to conquer the world. However, what if one were to suggest that much the same is occurring in the United States of America, that there has been a determined effort through the socializing influence of our schools, the government, the mass media, the churches we attend, even that of our own parents, to pressure us into believing (just as Hitler) that our country has received the blessing of God, and because of this, we therefore have not only the right, but more importantly, through the use of military weapons, a divine responsibility to see that the world acquiesces to our needs and expectations. Just as Hitler in the 1930’s prepared his countrymen to accept the authoritarian control of the Nazi government, much the same may well be occurring in the United States. Just as Hitler indoctrinated his people to believe that Germany had the right to conquer the world, George Walker Bush “in the name of freedom and democracy” may well be doing the same (preparing the American people to support his administration’s imperialistic drive to dominate the world). Behaviorally, it is clear that citizens, from cradle to grave, are primed to conform to the dictates of those in power, instructed never to question the validity of what those who would like to take control of our lives have to say. Most Americans have no idea; that what we are fed by the news media (televised and paper-print news) is nothing more than a portrayal of what powerful corporations (those who pay the salaries of those who run mass media) want us to believe, that what happens to pass as education is as often as not mere propaganda (e.g. that Americans are the good guys and their enemies are, without exception, always the bad guys), that what we learn in church may have very little or nothing to do with the truth, that what our parents teach us may be nothing more than an accumulation of their own personal biases…… no doubt a rather subtle modification of what they were taught by their parents. And through such a process, governments and nations around the world wield control as to what their citizens, believe, value, and do. And, of course, in our own society, the primary way most of us are controlled, the way the vast majority of us are forced “to tow the line,” is through the ominous threat of being fired. Something like this: If you are interested in keeping your career on track, that you would like to keep your job, then you ought to consider the following in order to assure your employer that you deserve the right to keep your job; get married and have a couple of kids, become a member of a social club (such as the Lions Club, the Kiwanis Club, or the Rotarians), be a good capitalist, be a patriotic citizen who loves his country, and make sure that you attend a local church so that everybody will know that you believe in God almighty. However, if, for whatever reason, you decide that you would like to become a rebel, that you would like to begin thinking for yourself, then you’d better brace yourself for trouble, because there is a reasonable likelihood that you will be fired! You see, in America, there is a rule of thumb concerning the working world which basically says that those who do what they are told to do are likely to keep their jobs, whereas those who tend to think for themselves, tend to buck the system, (tend not to do what they have been told to do) end up jobless, powerless, and left to fend for themselves on the mean streets of society. But why? Why does such a thing occur? Why would America the beautiful, land of the free, do such a horrible thing to its own citizens? The answer is quite simple: Knowing that knowledge is power; the secret is control, controlling the out flow of information, making sure that citizens know no more than they “are supposed to know,” making sure that they remain relatively uninformed, making sure that they are given “just enough” that they will go along with, peacefully accept, the premise that they are well informed, that they have a good idea of what is going on. It is necessary then that the government keep the people from learning the truth. Keep them from even wanting to know the truth. Put the fear of God into them to the extent that they will never question what they have been told to believe. You see, those in power may say that they want their citizens to be educated, to be well informed as to what is going on, however, such is simply not the case. Ask yourself this question: What happens to those of us (teachers, preachers, philosophers, writers, journalists) who do not “tow the line,” those intent upon proposing alternate ways of looking at the world? Look at what happened to Jesus Christ, Martin Luther King, Mohandas Gandhi, even Socrates. I mean, really now, who among us wants to be crucified, assassinated, forced to drink hemlock……. wants to risk the possibility of losing one’s job, the ability to put food on the table for one’s family? However, just in case you do not believe me, try this on for size…… the next time you go to work tell the boss that you are an infidel (that you have grown up and no longer believe in God), that you have decided to become a socialist (that capitalism essentially sucks), that you no longer give a shit about your country (that you have decided to become a rebel, an actively-participating antiwar protester), and then see what happens. Do you get the point? There are many (Robert Fisk, Cindy Sheehan, Sybil Edmunds, Bunnatine Greenhouse, Coleen Rowley, Captain Ian Fishback, Col. Anthony Shaffer, Kevin Benderman, Jeremy Hinzman, Brandon Hughey, Camilo Mejia, among others) who have illustrated the courage to risk their jobs, their careers, their reputations, their marriages, their wealth, imprisonment, and, in some cases, even that of their own sanity. But the sad fact is that for every hero out there, there are literally thousands of citizens (each who no doubt consider themselves to be conscientious, hard-working individuals who have a sincere belief in God and a loyal commitment to their country) who yet, for whatever reason, detest men and woman such as these who have shown the moral gumption to put their lives on the line for no other reason than to make a stand for that which is right, a willingness to tell anyone, everyone who is willing to listen, that it is a far better thing for one to have sacrificed his own life so that others might see, than to have chosen to remain silent ensuring the blind pretense that all is well, that there is nothing to worry about, that Big Brother will no doubt take good care of us as long as we simply keep our mouths shut and do exactly as we are told. Postscript: The most dangerous thing one can do is to tell the truth…… the sentence for which, one way or the other, is always death! Doug Soderstrom is a psychologist in Wharton, Texas. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Your Brave and Fearless leader "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

He does that to deflect air so as not to not mess up his hair. Besides, he's superman, he can track any way he wants. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Here is a picture that I took deep down in Mexico along the rail line. Deeply religous people come to pray to it believing that God will make them fertile enough to have a child. Overly religous people are just funny. (Not a slam on religous folks but, don't you think that praying to a rock that looks like a dick is just abit odd?) "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Having spent 7 months inspecting the entire railroad system in Mexico and testing up to each border town, I can honestly say that Mexico has the friendliest people I have ever met. The people in the interior are far removed from some in the border towns. The border people (not all) are far too Americanized and view any tourist as a potential target. Of all the border towns - Piedras Negras (across from Eagle Pass) was the worst although, the first thing we saw crossing from Laredo to Nuevo Laredo in the tunnel was a group of guys huffing paint and throwing rocks at our railcar (a 75' long rail inspection car. We were told that we would be welcomed as liberators). Haven't been to TJ since 84 but I never had any trouble there. All in all Mexico is a great place to visit as long as you steer clear of the tourist spots. Copper canyon should not be missed even though the rail line through that region is often hit by banditos, no shit. We had two armed federales with us at all times during the test. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Take out who exactly? The rush right in, guns ablazing aproach into Iraq has accomplished absolutely nothing in regards to reducing the number of terrorist or capturing those responsible for 9-11. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

According to that, by 2007, women should be completely pantyless

That sounds much like the preaching of the radical islamist. I fear the thoughts of anyone who endorse cleansing the planet of those unlike themselves. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

It should also be understood that Bush1 gave Saddam the go ahead and stated that it was an Arab matter and that the U.S. would not get involved. He lied. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I won't argue this as you are most likely right. I view spiritualism as something more within a person than outside. Being a better person by putting others ahead of you when you are already doing just fine is what everyone should do. If each and every person on this planet did just that and left religion out of the reason maybe some forms of war would be a thing of the past. Maybe all wars would be a thing of the past. Should not the human condition be considered first? "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I have no doubt that Jesus existed. I believe that he was an actual person although I do have reservations as to the claim that he was the son of God. I also believe that much in the NT is good words to live by the same as I believe that the Tao Teh Ching is a good book to live by. I have no problem with christians. My mother is a christian. The majority of my family are christians. I, myself, am more spiritual. I once believed that I could pick and choose as to how things should be and thought that just because I had a fat bank account and worked harder than the guy who had very little that it was alright to look down on him. I was wrong. I found out the hard way when I got sick and lost everything. I choose to view us all as equals now and rightfully so. Bad things can happen to even the richest as it can happen to the poorest. I give thanks that I am alive even though I am nowhere close to what I use to be. But, hey, I am happy with that and would gladly give my last dollar to help someone who is worst off than me. What goes around eventually come back. It is karma. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Hmmm.... I am seeing a new business venture here. Buy panties wholesale and a can of salmon, a butter knife to spread the aroma and a professional looking website and KA-CHING. I am not sick, I am a capitalist. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

WRONG!!!! There is only ONE type of christian and YOU are not IT!!!!! BULLSHIT!!!! Things DO happen that is far beyond the control of many that brought them down to the level of losing everything. Take off your freaking blinders!!! Best hope that you never find yourself in a position where you need help ie; car accident, work accident, skydive accident, serious illness. After the insurance runs out, your on your own. Not even Medicare is going to do much for you. You're just pathetic. Take off your mask and just admit that you have a serious case of hating people for whatever pathetic reason you have. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

http://www.oilempire.us/pentagon-photos.html "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Yup, just watching them run in the pasture takes me way back to the days of riding up the Mississippi river and back or riding at Cow Palace. I haven't been on a horse since 84. I often think about buying a horse. Maybe, someday, when things are better for me. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I agree. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Was that back in the Toy and Tommy Caldwell days? Matter of fact, I have Marshall Tucker's Where We All Belong on the turntable right now listening to "This ol' cowboy" and watching the horses graze in the pasture while I mess around here on dz.com. I haven't been on a horse in years. Maybe, I should trade it all in and buy a saddle. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Button? What button? Clarify please. Oh, may I add that I read extremely well. Yet, what I do not understand is how you can say that you are a christian yet, most of what you post indicates quite the opposite. If there is a god, pseudo-christianity will most likely earn you a first class ticket straight to hell. Your crimes are that you rail for war and death, you wish to kick the sick (in the past you made some ignorant comments about people with AIDS)and you dispise the poor. Not very christ like are you? A true christian would promote peace, tend to the sick and help the poor to better themselves. Kindly drop the mask, please. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

That is one of the most idiotic things I have ever read here in SC (not a P.A. just stating the obvious). Besides, does it not say in the bible to go forth and be fruitful? And you dare to call yourself a christian. From Genesis 6 Whoever sheds man' blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. 7 And you, be you fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

Working the rails was cool. Been through nearly every state by rail and on every inch of rail in Mexico. After awhile, though, each place gets to be the same and it just becomes a job. I really don't have a problem with cattle. Fact, my nickname as a teen was "cowpod" (I got bucked and landed on a cowpie and called it a "cowpod" when I meant to say cowpie and so it became a nickname. It even got printed in the AQHA magazine). I use to ride a QH at shows. His name was Poco Tucker. Named after the bands Poco and Marshall Tucker. A good feeling to know 24 hours at a time. He was one crazy freaking horse. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I did railroad inspection. Level2 ux and emf ndt. I worked for a contract inspection company named Sperry Rail Service that was founded by Elmer Sperry whom the Sperry Award is named for. It was a great job although, you spent more than 8 months on the rails away from home hence, they have a huge turnover rate. I spent nearly 8 years doing it and left after 7 months in Mexico. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

How's this for truth Todd Rundgren - Eastern Intrigue As the sun rises in the east As the wind blows the fog across the sea As the hand of man creeps across the face of the world Caught in a web of glamours Persian perfume and oriental eyes Yogi in knots and sufi wise Master sublime and swami high Throw in some voodoo on the side And a dash of the old kung fu Lord you got me strung out on eastern intrigue Chapter six and verse eleven If you wanna get to heaven You've got to ask the man who owns the property Ya gotta dance your dance And do your act And get his big attention that's a natural born fact I'm on my knees, one question please Will the real god please stand up? Jesus and moses, mohammed, and sri krishna Steiner, gurdjief, blavatsky, and bhudda Guru maharaji, reverend sun myung moon On the banks of the holy nile As the palm tree sways at the base of the sphinx 'neath a crescent desert moon many thousands Younger than ours In fact, forget about time completely Think of it in the abstract please Think of the swaying tropic trees One of your many destinies Like having a hot peyote tea In the palace of fu manchu Lord you got me strung out on eastern intrigue Sell your wife and pawn your heater Buy the new bhagavad gita Do the pranayama 'til your spine gets sore I'll tell you for free 'cause god told me We checked it with the pope and so we all agree I'm on my knees, one question please Will the real god please sit down? Stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

you should be careful around them varmits as they have been known to carry rabies. Best to shoot them. Barbecued coon is really tasty. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

That is a good but, I have always found this to be truer. It is from psycologist Frederick (Fritz) S. Perl the co-founder of gestalt therapy. “I do my thing and you do yours. I am not in this world to live up to your expectations, and you are not in this world to live up to mine. You are you and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, then it is beautiful. If not, it can't be helped.” "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young

I have to retract and say that Mo. is second in beef cattle to Texas. Oh, I use to live in Mexia, Texas and work on the Southern Pacific from Dallas down to Flatonia and over to El Paso. "...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young