In a different context or under other circumstances, I'm quite sure I'd like you guys and would enjoy spending time with you and tossing ideas back and forth - on faith, on governance, on compassion and suffering, on football. That's sincere, not a rhetorical deception. But I don't like you now. I am deeply angry and dismayed at the moral and intellectual positions your partisan or nationalist loyalties have led you to.
You accept, with almost no reflection, nearly anything and everything this adminstration you support tells you from the small details to the large "mottos".
Abramoff was an "equal money dispenser", said Bush. It was a lie. You bought it, or at least excused it. How many more such inaccuracies and deceptions have I seen you swallow and parrot?
"They want to destroy our way of life and Western Civilization", says Cheney. You guys suck that in and it gives you meaning and purpose even while that consequence from that cause is so nearly impossible as to be laughable. There are how many of these guys on camels with rifles? The combination of Germany, Italy and Japan - highly technically and militarily advanced nations with millions of trained soldiers and huge military machines didn't pose the threat described above, though they posed something real but much smaller. In fact, it is our modern culture and militarism which poses that threat to the cultures of the desert arabs. Perhaps it ought to, but at least you should get the whole picture right side up in your thinking.
You argue that the media doesn't tell the good news about the war. But the media has been almost completely sterile and devoid of the realities of this war. Have any of you seen even a single picture of a blown apart innocent Iraqi child? Have any of you heard them screaming for the two days it took for their burned bodies to expire? I don't want to witness this either, but we should be forced to witness exactly this.
You justify and excuse torture, though you define what has happened as something else even when if your parents of siblings suffered these acts, you would consider it nothing other than inhuman. Or you justify it as necessary and think "turn the other cheeck" and "let him who has no sin throw the first stone" are notions as quaint as the international rules on torture. Do you imagine Christ committing such acts? Do you imagine Christ condoning such acts? Do you imagine Christ dropping a cluster bomb?
................Blatham
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Narcissism, the public, and the President
Bush spoke last week to wounded soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Center and uttered these immortal words indicating a lack of true appreciation for the suffering of the gravely wounded, often permanently disabled soldiers he was speaking to:
"As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself -- not here at the hospital, but in combat with a Cedar. I eventually won. The Cedar gave me a little scratch. As a matter of fact, the Colonel asked if I needed first aid when she first saw me. I was able to avoid any major surgical operations here, but thanks for your compassion, Colonel."
At a time when the number of severely wounded soldiers is rising, this lack of appreciation is disturbing and portends badly for adequate resources being made available to care for damaged soldiers and veterans over the coming months, years, and decades.
This episode was far from the first time Bush uttered bizarre sounding comments in response to the injuries of others. Who can forget his remarkable message to the hundreds of thousands of people, many poor and black, whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Katrina:
"Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house -- he's lost his entire house -- there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch."
While Bush's comments to wounded GIs were uttered together with the usual platitudes expected on such occasions, these quotes illustrate Bush's greatest strength and also his greatest weakness, his narcissism.
Narcissism
At an observable level, narcissism involves a self-centeredness that makes one oblivious to the emotional existence of others. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (IVth edition: DSM-IV) defines its pathological extreme (narcissistic personality disorder) as:
"A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy."
In the odd DSM manner, this condition is diagnosed by having a threshold number of the following symptoms (5 out of 9), regardless of which five symptoms they are. (To be diagnostic of a clinical condition each symptom should be possessed to the extent that it interferes with functioning or causes distress):
"Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
"Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
"Believes that he or she is "'special"' and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
"Requires excessive admiration
"Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
"Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
"Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
"Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
"Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes"
full article at: http://www.opednews.com
"As you can possibly see, I have an injury myself -- not here at the hospital, but in combat with a Cedar. I eventually won. The Cedar gave me a little scratch. As a matter of fact, the Colonel asked if I needed first aid when she first saw me. I was able to avoid any major surgical operations here, but thanks for your compassion, Colonel."
At a time when the number of severely wounded soldiers is rising, this lack of appreciation is disturbing and portends badly for adequate resources being made available to care for damaged soldiers and veterans over the coming months, years, and decades.
This episode was far from the first time Bush uttered bizarre sounding comments in response to the injuries of others. Who can forget his remarkable message to the hundreds of thousands of people, many poor and black, whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Katrina:
"Out of the rubbles of Trent Lott's house -- he's lost his entire house -- there's going to be a fantastic house. And I'm looking forward to sitting on the porch."
While Bush's comments to wounded GIs were uttered together with the usual platitudes expected on such occasions, these quotes illustrate Bush's greatest strength and also his greatest weakness, his narcissism.
Narcissism
At an observable level, narcissism involves a self-centeredness that makes one oblivious to the emotional existence of others. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (IVth edition: DSM-IV) defines its pathological extreme (narcissistic personality disorder) as:
"A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy."
In the odd DSM manner, this condition is diagnosed by having a threshold number of the following symptoms (5 out of 9), regardless of which five symptoms they are. (To be diagnostic of a clinical condition each symptom should be possessed to the extent that it interferes with functioning or causes distress):
"Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements)
"Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love
"Believes that he or she is "'special"' and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions)
"Requires excessive admiration
"Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations
"Is interpersonally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends
"Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others
"Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her
"Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes"
full article at: http://www.opednews.com
Comments from Cyberspace
Our army is getting it's butt kicked in Iraq, and the commander-in-chief is a maniac. A narcissist psycho who knows nothing because he loses it when he hears something he doesn't like, he lives in a dream world. He's not the only one. His pals live in a dream world too. In the gulf war Iraqi army was no match, and when it was ruined, Iraq suffered ten ormore years of bombing and enbargoing by Americans, mostly killing children (thanks Bill) . Yes, Iraq was easy pickings, but they're fighting back. Syria and Iran won't be pushovers like Iraq.
Iran has a gigantic defense machine, a navy and missiles poised on the mountains overlooking the the Hormuz Straits. Both Syria and Iran are supplied ofmilitary by both Russia and China. Iran has contrrolled missiles that fly at 5.5 mach that can destroy large navy vessels, and we have nothing that can match that. In a war with America, both Russia and China would backIran, they could care less about Israel. An overworked right-wing mantra is the world is dangerous. Well yes, when we don't behave ourselves, it could even get more dangerous. Americans should learn not to vote maniacs into the office of president.
Don Phelps
California
_________________________________________________________________
I almost can't stomach watching the judiciary proceedings without having my emotions getting wrung dry. Although I vote Democratic, I find almost everything Republican has a stain of repugnant dishonesty about their hypocritical behavior trying to showcase Alito as pillar of the community type when in reality, he is a rightwing anti-abortion pro-corporation extremist who supports an imperial presidency and I just can't link this kind of cesspool methods to Democrats.
During the judiciary hearing I hear straight forward questions from Democrats with Alito giving evasive answers or not answering the question at all, then comes a Republican softball question that allows him slime through his anti-abortion stance as something that protects Democracy, but in reality it forces women to accept health care concepts as practiced by intelligent design instead of medical science.
This nominee should be rejected and quit wasting the people's money for a performance in which the votes have been cast before the hearings began. The Republicans haven't asked Judge Alito not one question of substance. The Democrats must be unanimous in their rejection of Samuel Altio, and if necessary, filibuster. The future of our nation is at stake.
Larry Little
Iran has a gigantic defense machine, a navy and missiles poised on the mountains overlooking the the Hormuz Straits. Both Syria and Iran are supplied ofmilitary by both Russia and China. Iran has contrrolled missiles that fly at 5.5 mach that can destroy large navy vessels, and we have nothing that can match that. In a war with America, both Russia and China would backIran, they could care less about Israel. An overworked right-wing mantra is the world is dangerous. Well yes, when we don't behave ourselves, it could even get more dangerous. Americans should learn not to vote maniacs into the office of president.
Don Phelps
California
_________________________________________________________________
I almost can't stomach watching the judiciary proceedings without having my emotions getting wrung dry. Although I vote Democratic, I find almost everything Republican has a stain of repugnant dishonesty about their hypocritical behavior trying to showcase Alito as pillar of the community type when in reality, he is a rightwing anti-abortion pro-corporation extremist who supports an imperial presidency and I just can't link this kind of cesspool methods to Democrats.
During the judiciary hearing I hear straight forward questions from Democrats with Alito giving evasive answers or not answering the question at all, then comes a Republican softball question that allows him slime through his anti-abortion stance as something that protects Democracy, but in reality it forces women to accept health care concepts as practiced by intelligent design instead of medical science.
This nominee should be rejected and quit wasting the people's money for a performance in which the votes have been cast before the hearings began. The Republicans haven't asked Judge Alito not one question of substance. The Democrats must be unanimous in their rejection of Samuel Altio, and if necessary, filibuster. The future of our nation is at stake.
Larry Little
Monday, January 09, 2006
Over 50, Have SIA , Kiss My Grits !
My cyber friend, Les, wrote this amazing, insightful commentary this morning and it's too good not to share:
From: Hubmaster@aol.com
I’ve been a different man since I developed SIA.
You know, when you’re young, you’re easily intimidated by the so-called mores of our society that dictates how you are supposed to act, what you are supposed to wear and what you are inclined to say.
All my life I heard from my two spinster aunts (no one would marry these viragos, harridans, “castrators:,” whatever God rest their heartless souls!) about all of the things that I was doing wrong and how I was rapidly becoming the black sheep of the family. Everyone in my family did things better than I did, it seemed. Exactly right; not really an ego-building environment because all of the ego was already used up.
Whatever I managed to accomplish, they accomplished it better, faster and smarter!
I guess that was the reason I was so eager to get away from everybody, left home young, joined the Army, became an adviser and disappeared for four years plus!
When I got out, I lived in California, Florida and Boston before coming home for a fortnight before moving out to my own pad and my own freedom and a home that I was never to return to.
And you know what?
Somehow, despite all of my failings, I actually was able to survive. Without all of the guidance, without all of the minute directions and details of what I should do and without
Becoming an activist in the First Church of Science where my aunt was a mucky-muck!
Now, my old age is proving the happiest time of my life.
Why?
Like I said before, after I developed SIA.
And I have to tell you, it’s contagious.
For those of you not familiar with SIA, let me explain.
It usually accompanies your AARP subscription. It means that you are now in your fifties, and you don’t have to explain anything to anybody anymore. You don’t have to smile when you don’t want to. And you don’t even have to be nice. On your time off, you can laze around in your underwear or your bra and panties. You can listen to the worst music on the air. You can rob the refrigerator; you can eat with your hands standing up, you can burp without fear~….and you can live.
Most importantly, I don’t have to put up with anyone’s bullshit. I can tell it like it is without fear of having somebody toss it back at me. And I can ignore anyone who is a complete asshole. I don’t have to be nice to my son-in-law’s parents, and if they don’t like it, who gives a rat’s ass. That’s what SIA is all about!--which is short-hand for Screw It Anyway…
My guiding philosophy.
Under a heightened condtion of SIA, I have told clients to pack their bags, I have turned down jobs, I have chosen to let my wife go visit the kids while I indulge in all of those cheap B movies that I love, I can cook all those heart-wrenching great foods that cut down on your life, I can get on the Internet and stay as long as I like and I can tell some idiot to suck lemons if that’s how I feel.
Ah yes, old age has its blessings.
Between you and me, I’ve never felt so good in my whole bloody life as I do now as an old codger. And I make sure that I go on the record in my local newspaper, and during all the meetings I participate in. Over all, I have never changed the fact that I am a curmudgeon. Why am I curmudgeon. Because I was once an Idealist. Idealists always become curmudgeons in their old age.
In fact, I wrote something the other day that I got back a few days later from Joe with a picture of Andy Rooney. I read it before realizing that I had written it originally.
But it sounded just like Andy Rooney. In fact, it sounded so much like him, that I sent it to him. If I sound like Andy Rooney, I feel I am in pretty good company.
But between you and me, I’m having a field day. So there….
Hurry up and get old and then join me in expressing yourself any way you like!...
It’s the nearest thing to Heaven!
Les Aaron
www.lesaaron.blogspot.com
Les,
ROTFLMAO ! I have been reading your commentaries for several years now and as the years rolled by I started noticing that you were writing more and more like I was thinking without the "kiss my ass" routine that I usually insert when I try to write what I am feeling.
When I got to your sentence "It means that you are now in your fifties, and you don’t have to explain anything to anybody anymore", I literally ROTFLMAO because it was exactly what I have been saying for over ten yrs now!
I have had a great case of SIA for over 10 yrs. and I am loving it! I didn't know what it was called but I damn sure have it! It took a couple years after 50 until I got into the real swing of SIA but damn it has been fun since then.
And all this time some people almost had me convinced that I was a bitter old lady! Bitter my arse! I'm the Proud Liberal Bitch!
YeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaawwww and now I have a cyberSIAmate! What more could one ask for in their old age? LOL
By the way what do you call a female curmudgeon? hehehehehe!
I have to post this at my Proud Liberal Bitch blogspot! If you don't like it sue me!
From: Hubmaster@aol.com
I’ve been a different man since I developed SIA.
You know, when you’re young, you’re easily intimidated by the so-called mores of our society that dictates how you are supposed to act, what you are supposed to wear and what you are inclined to say.
All my life I heard from my two spinster aunts (no one would marry these viragos, harridans, “castrators:,” whatever God rest their heartless souls!) about all of the things that I was doing wrong and how I was rapidly becoming the black sheep of the family. Everyone in my family did things better than I did, it seemed. Exactly right; not really an ego-building environment because all of the ego was already used up.
Whatever I managed to accomplish, they accomplished it better, faster and smarter!
I guess that was the reason I was so eager to get away from everybody, left home young, joined the Army, became an adviser and disappeared for four years plus!
When I got out, I lived in California, Florida and Boston before coming home for a fortnight before moving out to my own pad and my own freedom and a home that I was never to return to.
And you know what?
Somehow, despite all of my failings, I actually was able to survive. Without all of the guidance, without all of the minute directions and details of what I should do and without
Becoming an activist in the First Church of Science where my aunt was a mucky-muck!
Now, my old age is proving the happiest time of my life.
Why?
Like I said before, after I developed SIA.
And I have to tell you, it’s contagious.
For those of you not familiar with SIA, let me explain.
It usually accompanies your AARP subscription. It means that you are now in your fifties, and you don’t have to explain anything to anybody anymore. You don’t have to smile when you don’t want to. And you don’t even have to be nice. On your time off, you can laze around in your underwear or your bra and panties. You can listen to the worst music on the air. You can rob the refrigerator; you can eat with your hands standing up, you can burp without fear~….and you can live.
Most importantly, I don’t have to put up with anyone’s bullshit. I can tell it like it is without fear of having somebody toss it back at me. And I can ignore anyone who is a complete asshole. I don’t have to be nice to my son-in-law’s parents, and if they don’t like it, who gives a rat’s ass. That’s what SIA is all about!--which is short-hand for Screw It Anyway…
My guiding philosophy.
Under a heightened condtion of SIA, I have told clients to pack their bags, I have turned down jobs, I have chosen to let my wife go visit the kids while I indulge in all of those cheap B movies that I love, I can cook all those heart-wrenching great foods that cut down on your life, I can get on the Internet and stay as long as I like and I can tell some idiot to suck lemons if that’s how I feel.
Ah yes, old age has its blessings.
Between you and me, I’ve never felt so good in my whole bloody life as I do now as an old codger. And I make sure that I go on the record in my local newspaper, and during all the meetings I participate in. Over all, I have never changed the fact that I am a curmudgeon. Why am I curmudgeon. Because I was once an Idealist. Idealists always become curmudgeons in their old age.
In fact, I wrote something the other day that I got back a few days later from Joe with a picture of Andy Rooney. I read it before realizing that I had written it originally.
But it sounded just like Andy Rooney. In fact, it sounded so much like him, that I sent it to him. If I sound like Andy Rooney, I feel I am in pretty good company.
But between you and me, I’m having a field day. So there….
Hurry up and get old and then join me in expressing yourself any way you like!...
It’s the nearest thing to Heaven!
Les Aaron
www.lesaaron.blogspot.com
Les,
ROTFLMAO ! I have been reading your commentaries for several years now and as the years rolled by I started noticing that you were writing more and more like I was thinking without the "kiss my ass" routine that I usually insert when I try to write what I am feeling.
When I got to your sentence "It means that you are now in your fifties, and you don’t have to explain anything to anybody anymore", I literally ROTFLMAO because it was exactly what I have been saying for over ten yrs now!
I have had a great case of SIA for over 10 yrs. and I am loving it! I didn't know what it was called but I damn sure have it! It took a couple years after 50 until I got into the real swing of SIA but damn it has been fun since then.
And all this time some people almost had me convinced that I was a bitter old lady! Bitter my arse! I'm the Proud Liberal Bitch!
YeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaawwww and now I have a cyberSIAmate! What more could one ask for in their old age? LOL
By the way what do you call a female curmudgeon? hehehehehe!
I have to post this at my Proud Liberal Bitch blogspot! If you don't like it sue me!
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