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Are We Fucked?
Tell it to me straight, folks: are we fucked?
I know I like to take this sort of high-level Jungian perspective on conspiracy theory and all that shit. But, um, sometimes I really do wonder: are we totally fucked?
In the last few weeks the Bush administration has passed the Military Commissions Act of 2006 which allows the president to arrest and torture whomever he chooses without charging him with a crime. Also, unbeknownst to most Americans, Bush signed into law a provision which, according to Senator Patrick Leahy, will allow the president to unilaterally declare martial law. By changing The Insurrection Act, Bush has essentially overturned the Posse Comitatus Act which bars the president from deploying troops with the United States. The John Warner Defense Authorization Act of 2007 (as it is called) also allows Bush to take control of the National Guard which has always been under the purview of the state governors. Bush now has absolute power over all armed troops within the country, a state of affairs which the constitution purposely tried to prevent. The administration’s dream of militarizing the country under the sole authority of the executive has now been achieved although the public still has no idea that a coup that has taken place.
I mean, seriously. How bad is the situation, really? I feel like I have no longer got an accurate barometer with reality on things like this anymore. Is this just more endless hype about how bad things are, or is this really how bad things are? Somebody help!
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November 3rd, 2006 at 3:51 pm
in my opinion, yes, this is how bad things are. this country is fucked. the fascist coup is fast cementing. the best solution is to leave the country before we have to flee it.
this may sound like a hopelessly defeatist position, and maybe it is. but if you look at the history of other countries that have gone through this, the best solution any individual in our situation has ever come up with is: get the fuck out before it’s too late.
on the bright side, the american neocon regime will most likely collapse under the enormous costs of its own military escapades in 10 years, or suffer crushing defeats as the empire overextends itself. it has to get worse before it gets better, i suppose. i wish that weren’t the way it is, though.
November 3rd, 2006 at 4:34 pm
Perspective is everything.
The short answer is yes–we’re fucked. But that’s because of the 2nd law of thermodynamics. Of course, there are those who see it differently:
www.steorn.com
The long answer is maybe not, that is in our places and lifetimes. Remember that another law of physics is that cute lil’ thing about reaction/counterreaction. We are possibly seeing the very first signs of it now. They may be a bit more obvious next Tuesday. I have learned to be as cynical as is possible/practical about American politics (hardly unique) but it’s indisputible that many do not like what is going on right now, from coast to coast and beyond. If apathy can be reduced enough, we may postpone the inevitable “fucking.”
Cheers.
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:12 pm
As much as I’d like to believe that it’s not really this bad, presented with all of the evidence, it looks like were pretty much fucked. But at the same time, it is admitted in the story that they can’t let it go completely bust. Otherwise, the USA gets ousted as being the standard for monetary reserves and oil would also be denominated in some other currency.
Something else that most people are unaware of is this unclassified document (http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r210_35.pdf). How it ties in, I’m not really sure. They had to have done it for some clandestine reason, if for nothing else than the really cheap labor.
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Dick Cheney was walking along the beach and found the body politic on the shore laying their with no arms or legs, crying.
Dick bent down and asked why it was crying, it replied,
“Because no one ever hugged me.”
So Dick gave it a hug. But then it cried again.
Dick asked, “Well, why are crying now?”
“Because no one ever gave me a kiss.”
So Dick bent down and gave it a kiss. But then it started to cry again.
Dick asked, “Well, why are crying now?”
“Because, because..no ever fucked me.”
So Dick bent down, picked up the armless, legless, spinless body politic, spun and heaved into the ocean.
“Now your fucked.” he replied and then returned to shuffling down the beach flipping over things and throwing them into the ocean.
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:37 pm
Nonsense. Things are never as bad as the pessimists think they are. (Nor as good as the optimists think they are.)
People puzzle me. There are always people weeping and wailing about how bad it is - “this is the end”… “I know, I know, but this really is the end this time.” - and when the end doesn’t come as expected it’s always because their side prevented the disaster but then there’s always another “end of the world as we know it” and another and another. They’ll never learn.
November 3rd, 2006 at 5:53 pm
It’s always darkest…before it goes pitch black.
Seriously though, Tim, I felt simlarly a year or so ago and still do from time to time. I mean that between my own growing analysis of reality prior to connecting to the net in ‘97 coupled with what I have learned and thought about from sites like yours, Jeff’s, Ran’s and Jeremy’s (primarily) I have often found myself asking the same question, “Are we fucked?”
It seems that we are. If international pedophile rings are really attached to the highest levels of US gov’t then we are fucked. If there is a sinister, wide spread Satan worshipping faction then we are fucked. If there is a technocracy we are fucked. And so on.
A wise man once said, “Life is like the view from the second story window of a burning house.” No matter how fucked we are, it is still beautiful.
Perhaps we have always been fucked and this is nothing new. Or maybe, at least, it is the usual or frequent human condition - to be fucked.
Perhaps we are just becoming aware of our situation and that makes it seem so grim when in reality it is nothing new or at least unusual.
I have ceased taking sides in the political world - I am sure that the corporate fix is in either way. There is no “political” solution, as Sting says, anyway.
The solution involves our souls, I believe. So much attention to the spirit and only a misguided effort to save our souls seems to be at or near the core of the problem. But I digress.
When I started contemplating the coming Republican victory (where they keep both houses of congress, just you watch) last night I started to feel the same way you describe in your blog, again.
But then I recall my mantra: Make Happiness.
I could continue to contemplate the hopelessness, the futility, the terror and the sadness that comes with honestly viewing our lot. I could empathize with the suffering ocurring right now as I type this around the world and in limitless and horrific numbers and ways.
Or, I could make happiness. The former leads inevitably to despair. This is an emotion to be experienced with care because it leads quickly to a lot of dysfunction (and none of the good stuff, either.) Despair easily becomes self fulfilling, perpetual and addicting. It leads to choosing the easy way out - feeling bad about something is almost as good as doing something about the problem. But, of course, it isn’t the same at all. Worse still, too much despair leads to depression and depression in anything but the smallest doses is self-idulgent bull shit. So I choose the latter.
This is something different than merely denying or supressing the unpleasant aspects of reality.
It is a form of intergretion. As we expand our awareness of the world there is may be some emotional pain upon learning the truth but it is important to realize that some, parts or even most of what we used to think was reality still contains nuggets of authenticity and needs to be integrated with the what has been newly acquired.
I sometimes take comfort that unless the absolute worst case conspiracy theories are true than we are not that bad off. Not that long ago things were much, much worse. An honest view of modern history reveals this to me.
Not to sound smarmy but we have always been fucked and have never been truly fucked or at least rarely have we been totally fucked.
To speak directly to your post - I am of the opinion that the problem is in a large part due to consumerism and corporate america. Worse, I am learning that this problem started long before I originally believed. It seems to have origins in the mid 1950’s and we are deep in the throws of its dysfunction. The disease is progressing rapidly now and the patient’s body can no longer compensate as well as it did when it was younger. This is perhaps why things seem worse now. In the beginning it didn’t seem that bad and even appeared like a good thing to many people.
Since the 1970’s, American businesses have grown larger and more monopolistic, helped along by deregulation, the repeal of anti-trust laws, and a steady transformation from manufacturing to capital management. “The Real Threat of Fascism” by Paul Bigioni is a good source.
Anyway, I have to more to say but have to go. I will try to post more later if you guys are interested in what I have to say but if not I will savor the contemplation myself. Either way, it will be great.
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:05 pm
Allow me to expand a tad at the risk of making myself very late for my appointment. I am not the writer that Tim or others ’round these parts are so I have to go with it when it comes. To Hell with punctuality!
When I said “we” I meant those of us who feel or have felt this despair when we realize we might be or are fucked. But the pain we feel is real pain and it comes from our souls expanding to begin to intergret hard truths. The larger our soul must expand to accomodate these truths and their accompanying emotions the more the pain. And as long as we can hea froml and be authentic with said pain then all is not lost. Our souls will expand and hopefully wisdom, understanding and compassion will follow.
I have said it around here before - despair and pain from the “growing pains” of the soul (not the spirit) are among the toughest lessons to learn in this life but also the most valuable.
“We” have found ourselves here- many of Tim’s readers feel similarly. We are together in this stage. Undoubtedly, there are others out there who are in the next stage. Once we have gotten all we can from here we will find them…or they will find us…
Ok, now I really must go but I will try to add more if anyone is interested…
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:06 pm
Add this to the “fuckjed” side of the equation - from
http://sianews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3023:
“Forget no-fly lists. If Uncle Sam gets its way, beginning on Jan. 14,
2007, we’ll all be on no-fly lists, unless the government gives us
permission to leave-or re-enter-the United States.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (HSA) has proposed that all
airlines, cruise lines-even fishing boats-be required to obtain
clearance for each passenger they propose taking into or out of the
United States.
It doesn’t matter if you have a U.S. Passport - a “travel document”
that now, absent a court order to the contrary, gives you a virtually
unqualified right to enter or leave the United States, any time you
want. When the DHS system comes into effect next January, if the
agency says “no” to a clearance request, or doesn’t answer the
request at all, you won’t be permitted to enter-or leave-the United
States.”
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:32 pm
I’ll reserve judgment on the permanancy of this ionsanity until after the next election cycle..if the machines cock it up and everyone sleepwalks through it again, then yes, we’re totally fucked, as it were.
Cat- have you seen the poor guy (American citizen) who is being refused entry because he refuses to be interrogated by authorities after visiting Pakistan?
November 3rd, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Beautiful posts, Gary. Resonant with me. I remember how I felt such a sense of clarity after the 2004 election. Because when reality appears to suck that much, we are thrown back on ourselves and for a while, we are de-hypnotized just a bit more. And that’s never bad.
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:14 pm
tim. you asked for pessimism by asking the question. ask a different question and get a different answer.
i ask this one occasionally……of myself. how can i create a perfect moment or two to reflect on…..
and you know what? i always manage to find a way.
think about it for a minute……or two…….
or an afternoon.
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:22 pm
Man, I’d hate to be living in America these days. If Bush et al do institute martial law, and pull a fast one with some sort of coup - it won’t last too long. Americans would see it as a perfect excuse (rightly so) to finally get around to that “revolution per generation,” which was touted as the solution by the founding fathers. Long overdue; way too long.
Us Canadians will lend a hand as well, if need be. Hardly reassuring to the Americans, no doubt, but they would be very surprised what we’d do if bush-comes-to-shove. I surely would not stand by while my neighbors (and many friends and relatives) to the south are scourged with troops roaming the streets in search of prisoners to lock up in detention camps, and shooting civilians when uncooperative. It might happen, but not for long.
What was that story after his second term started, with pictures, I saw a while back where Bush was presented with a plaque that was engraved with his years in office, and it read “(2001-).” Not 2001-2008, but “2001-”. Forget where I saw that. Huffington Post, I think.
November 3rd, 2006 at 7:26 pm
Well, it’s getting close, but there’s still time.
Thank god for the Bill of Rights! It’s sorta been this struggle since the US constitution was drafted, and the whole Articles of Confederation, etc. Funny how we revolted from the tax burden of the King, then rapidly settled into the trend of taxing the the shite population, even our homemade booze (See the Whisky rebellion)…
Federal authority has always tried to make inroads ( see Militia Law of 1792 )
Like the writer mentioning the next election cycle, it will be a most “interesting time” to see what becomes of us in the next few yrs. There’s hope.
OTOH perhaps some surprising nucleus is forming to soon create a huge rebellion in our country … I bet it even wont be from folks who post here …. time will tell.
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:19 pm
David,
I just got home and read the comments here. I am glad you enjoyed my post. I enjoyed writing it and thinking about it.
I have alot to add as to what people are commenting about but we seem to be getting away from Tim’s post.
Should we delve into how bad the situation is, can be or will be or what the evil doers are up to? I wouldn’t mind…just gotta remember to bail out.
Or should we continue with Tim’s response?
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:26 pm
Oh….shit!! So this is how democracy dies? With thunderous applause? Seriously though, this really scares me. And by the look of things over there at Cassiopaea.org….yah, we’ve been fucked for a REALLY long time.
But you know, I’ve realized this for years on a fairly unconscious level. And so what if we’re living during the end of days!? All that matters is what we do with the time we are given.
Yah, I’ll stop quoting movies now.
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:33 pm
Don’t despair Tim.
Yeah things are probably more obviously fucked up than has ever been apparent to the general populace. However musch like often happens in most mechanical systems, that just means that the pendulum is gonna haveta swing the other way to achieve a natural state of equilibrium. Of course, it might be a scary, wild swing…
So anyhow… What is with this ‘leave the country before we have to flee it’ bullshit that it seems alotta folks are willing to embrace? I remember hearing that after Shrub ‘won’ a second term. Now here we go again. Is the current generation really that soft? Pussies. Put down the fuckin’ Gameboy & try doin’ something useful with your life instead of cryin’ ‘mercy’ at the thought of a good fight.
Gird yer nutz & stand up & fight. Get active in your communities. Vote. Yaddah, yaddah. Seriously tho. Do something more than throw your hands up & yell ‘Noooooooooooo’ like the dude facing down the steam roller in the first Austin Powers movie. You might actually be surprised what might transpire when you face down the fear & soldier on. That’s called courage. Just imagine whatt might transpire when others do likewise.
Even tho patriotism is oft confused with jingoism - esp nowadays - there are alotta folks that died fighting on battlefields abroad & here at home for the ideals that this country (still) stands for… not for what the politicians or the oligarchs want… but for our loved ones & the future.
Download some of Zac’s podcasts. Listen. Think. Act. And stop bein’ a pussy. Where ya gonna go? Canada? HA. Sorry it won’t be any better there if its full of the scaredy cats that fled the U.S…
Dunno what folks’ backgrounds are here, but I know my dad didn’t defect in ‘68 after the collapse of the Prague Spring & wait to emmigrate to the U.S., while his friends settled for quicker relocation to South Africa, Canada, etc…. just so I could give up on things here in the U.S.
Things work out in the end. Some freaky shit may go down. How it ultimately works out is gonna be up to each & every one of us.
Much as Geddy Lee’s voice makes my ears bleed, I must insert a *shudder* Rush quote: “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice…” So whatcha gonna do? Run? …or make a stand?
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Hm, now before anyone points out that my own father had defected (that is, fled) in ‘68… my tirade is directed toward the idea of making a stand now before things go so completly fuck-stix that we are left with no other choice than to run for our lives or live with a iron heel at our necks. There is still time to right the ship… unless of course everybody rushes to one side & hastens the capsizing…
November 3rd, 2006 at 8:46 pm
Bravo, sketchmonkey.
You know, when I said those very same things on 11/3/04, in a shorter and more forceful way to my mopey West Coast crew, they shrank back in horror. As time went by, when they discovered the world HADN’T ended with Chimpy McFlighsuit’s reupped contract, they slowly realized I was right.
“America - love it or leave it” doesn’t simply mean “approve of the government OR ELSE.” What is our responsibility?
November 3rd, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Oh, one more thing to add, more directly addressing the question of ‘Are we fucked?’
Yes. Just by being born, brought into existence, I suppose. HA. How’s that for bleak?
Everyone that goes on about ‘end times’, apocalypse, etc. Yes. It will all end. We will all die at some point. Yes, even you life-extended transhumanist motherfuckers will have a catastrophic mishap on your way to exploring the outer edge of the singularity a billion years from now…
I for one, however, choose to love mightly & face down the bullshit, my own included, as best I can with the crazy fuckin’ grin of a Viking beserker…
November 3rd, 2006 at 9:11 pm
Yes we are doomed in the present system which only values money.
Technocracy offers an alternative that will change the Rules of the Game.
The present system is really run by price system flunkies that are not particularly aware of what and why they are doing what they are doing.
November 3rd, 2006 at 9:38 pm
Excellent point.
November 5th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Yes, Tim, this looks pretty grim — the revocation of habeas corpus, construction of detention camps–over the past six years (and more) I’ve always thought folks who made references to Nazi Germany and Fascism were overdoing it a bit. Now I just think they were a little bit ahead of their time.
But things may not be as bad as all that–the Bush Administration is failing, defeated in Iraq. The same forces who cheered on the war a few years ago are now turning on Bush and Co. Now the thieves will fight among themselves for a while and maybe we can use this time wisely.
November 6th, 2006 at 4:51 pm
sketchmonkey: you’re presupposing that the “leave the country” position is bullshit to begin with. but that hasn’t quite been decided yet, has it? it certainly won’t be decided by trumpeting our positions in an insulting manner. i mean, the question asked was “are we fucked.” was hannah arendt a “pussy” for fleeing nazi germany? without denigrating the bravery of those who stayed in nazi germany and took a stand, can we acknowledge that those who fled were not cowards, but realists?
there’s a time to take a stand and a time to retreat. i don’t know whether that time has come, but i think we can all agree that there’s a difference between bravery and foolhardy resistance. perhaps the time for resistance has passed–i don’t know, that’s part of the point of this discussion, right? the usual political channels have failed, voting, one of your recommendations for action, is a joke, now more than ever with sham voting machines replacing ballots (not that we ever had a choice to begin with, but a dilemma), and even the majority of american citizens making a determined effort would be crushed by the far-too-powerful US military (can you say nukes?), especially if martial law is on its way. so if the shit’s gonna go down like it did in nazi germany and so many other places in history, i don’t think it’s a deficit of courage at all to realistically assess the situation and leave before it’s too late.
that, of course, is an “if.” i recognize that i could be wrong about this.
November 7th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
I don’t actually feel like we are fucked at all. It’s only momentary flashes of despair which quickly subside and are replaced with gigantic renewed hopes and faith in the value of life.