Bread & Circuses-Schiavo and Steroids in Never-Never Land

[chlamor]

Bread and Circuses

The American Heritage dictionary defines bread and circuses as “Offerings, such as benefits or entertainments, intended to placate discontent or distract attention from a policy or situation.” The term was used by the ancient Romans to describe how their rulers kept the population in the dark at politically opportune moments.

The Romans have been outdone by 21st century America. The distractions are becoming more numerous and substantive issues are addressed less often, just as the truth has become more and more frightening.

We don’t have a circus maximus with gladiators fighting to the death or animals killing human beings for the enjoyment of blood thirsty crowds. Instead we have a corporate media and a corrupt government. They point us in the direction of information that is useless, tasteless, or simply stupid. That is on a good day. On a bad day they cover up the very grave danger that America poses to the entire world.

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Terry Schiavo has been suffering from severe brain damage for 15 years. Her husband, her next of kin, has been trying to let her die with some dignity. Her parents disagree with his decision and a legal battle has ensued. The controversy should have remained between the family members and their lawyers but Florida Governor Jeb Bush couldn’t resist earning his right wing bona fides by using this woman’s family to placate right to lifers.

After years of legal wrangling Congressional Republicans involved themselves and reached a nadir in usefulness and a high point in stupidity when they subpoenaed Terry Schiavo to appear at a hearing. If she had gone to Congress she would not have been the only brain damaged person in attendance. She would have been the only one who came by the condition honestly, however.

http://www.progressivetrail.org/articles/050328Kimberly.shtml?mail=28