MICKEY Z.: No Innocent Bystanders In America

[Tace]

Mickey Z. -- World News Trust

Sept. 3, 2006 -- The next time you're feeling "free," see how far you can walk without being legally compelled to stop... to let cars drive past. The light turns red and viola: you are no longer free to continue walking because in America, the car culture rules. This essentially invisible totalitarian salvo was recently complicated when a big white SUV crept up into the crosswalk, making it virtually hopeless for yours truly to cross the damn street even when the light changed to green. I fixed my gaze on the mechanized monster before me and immediately saw all that is wrong with America.

No, I'm not just talking about how the gas guzzling properties of that SUV directly result in military interventions, human rights violations, global poverty, rampant war crimes, and everything else on that lurid laundry list. This is not just another screed about the myriad highways that crisscross America, draining tax dollars, shattering communities, and devastating eco-systems. No, this is all about dissidents finally blaming everyone who deserves blame (including ourselves).

The neatly dressed man in the passenger seat-"Dad"-was talking loudly on a cell phone. Global demand for columbite-tantalite (a.k.a. "coltan"), a common cell phone component, is fueling war and environmental destruction in the Democratic Republic of Congo... but leftists aren't supposed to acknowledge their complicity. We don't reproach everyday Americans for their callous indifference because, well... it's all Bush's fault, right?

The woman driving this death machine ("Mom") sported diamond earrings. Although we're aware how the diamond trade exploits both humans and the landscape, Mom's given a free pass based solely on her ignorance. It's Bush's fault.

Both Mom and Dad proudly call themselves "liberal" and voted for Kerry in 2004. Their participation in the two-party farce and their acceptance of lesser evilism, however, are not seen as the problem by those in the know. It's all Bush's fault.

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http://www.worldnewstrust.com/content/view/70/331/lang,en/

[Wilms]

1. Sad fact is,

* is more representitive of the America I know than Gore or Kerry.

[Tace]

4. You Know, You've Got A Point There...

I never thought of it quite that way.

[ConcernedCanuk]

2. "the two-party farce" - I wonder how many understand that phrase

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or rather, it's significance . .

as it says in the article, when it comes to choice of governance down there, it's the repugs, or the "lesser evilism".

You don't HAVE a good choice down there.

There was no major party in 2004 that was vehemently opposed to the Iraq war and promising to end it.

Even if the Democrats get in in 2008, or even 2006, don't hold your breath for major advances in your economy or a turnabout in your ridiculously aggressive foreign policy.

USA has not been a well-liked nation for decades.

It has been common for Americans traveling abroad to pretend they were Canadians because they found they got treated with more respect.

NOW, the US has progressed to being the most hated and feared nation on earth.

Ya can't undo that without MAJOR changes in foreign policy, and compensation to the countries/people it has abused over the last 5 - 6 decades (yeah, since JFK)

And that just ain't gonna happen . . .

(sigh)

[magellan]

5. All too true

The US is going to have to hit rock bottom before true and significant change will happen, I believe that now. The only question is, will there be anything left to put back together....

[Jim Sagle]

3. Mickey whooooooo???????

[Tace]

6. He's A Vagan Political Dissident From Queens, NY

Quite a character.