Back now from my weekend, I've been taking some time to reflect on things, most principally the anti-war demostration in which I took part in San Francisco.
First of all, how many people
do have to show up before the Powers That Be take notice? We witnessed what I think may be the largest ever preemptive anti-war protest in American history and the administration declined even to notice that it had happened. I mean, probably close to a million people braved bad weather and/or the prospect of demostrating in post-Patriot Act America to call attention to the issue.
There are ways to resolve this crisis (and I'll break with many of my comrades by saying that these other ways may indeed include military action) that don't involve the appearance of unilaterally deciding world policy and obstinately ignoring both the other 95% of the world and the effects of such unilateral action on the
overall peace and stability of the region, which I'm convinced will be adversely affected by such a war.
It is my strong feeling that this war, if it's conducted the way it looks like they want to, will endanger Americans since it will raise world ire against us. It will destabilize the region, possibly growing into a larger war that will kill many people and solve nothing.
OK, so anyway, the other day I also ran smack into the old "love it or leave it" crap, and this is what
really got me to pondering.
In everyday political and social life we're encouraged to let our voice be heard. The strength of democracy, we're told, is in the multiplicity of voices.
But I begin to notice that just the opposite is true when we're talking about war and other military action. On that subject, any dissent is viewed instinctively as treasonous disloyalty. What I really don't yet understand is why.
I should not have to, nor will I any longer, defend my right to express my opinion, because
it is my patriotic duty to do so. It is
because I love my country that I express my opposition to what I believe are unwise courses of action. If I didn't, I'd just keep my mouth shut and let whatever happens happen, unexamined. End of discussion.
So on to a completely different subject.
Tivo.
Tivo completely changes the way you watch television. Never again do you miss your show because it's on at a different time or what-not. Not only that, but when you watch something, you're watching it largely because you actually want to, since you pick it from the menu, not just because you're home and bored and the TV's on. It's a subtle psychological shift, but it's pretty cool.
School begins. And now, just as I was taking a lighter course load to rest a bit after the exhaustion of last semester,
there comes word that my school may be going away. I actually need to be ramping up, because I'm sure I won't have much time to finish up once the axe falls. "Focused Excellence" my hairy, spotted ass.
Government's chief responsibility is to make life better for the people it serves. There is no better way than education. Further,
more people take advantage of economic downturn to improve their education so that when things
do improve they're in a better position to do well by themselves and society. The universities need more money, not less,
particularly in bad economic times.
But short-sighted conservative bureaucrats see higher education as unnecessary to the creation of armies of blue-collar drones.
I'm growing angry.
