A Profile in Courage or Hate?

The political landscape of the United States in 2018 is equivalent to a dark and perverted Monty Python sketch that has gone off the deep end. The nomination and subsequent hearing of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is an image of this absurdity in real time. It is filled with off the scale partisan politics, self-righteous speeches, and pure hatred and contempt. The review of allegations of sexual assault by Kavanaugh, which have been privately reviewed, has become a trial by emotion and public opinion. It is a media circus that has potentially destroyed the lives of two people, and brought their families in the light of public scrutiny and death threats.

With the election of Donald Trump, a person who could be viewed as the definition of the "Ugly American" incarnate, in 2016, it is as if the grotesque side of American society and politics rose up from the depths. People screaming on both sides of the political spectrum threw tolerance and decorum into the dumpster, while actual racists seemed to be popping out of the woodwork and running for elected office, anyone who remotely agreed with the current administration was branded a fascist. It seemed like even your own opinion, regardless of how mild it was, would garner resentment and anger; even being part of the administration seems political suicide.

Regardless of who President Trumped nominated to the Supreme court, they would have faced a hearing equivalent to a group of angry kindergarteners fighting over a toy. President Obama's last appointment, just before the election was basically shunned by Republicans who pushed any hearings until after the election. One way or another, this was going to be an "eye for an eye", the Democrats were were most likely not going stand idly by and let the Republicans get what they wanted. The allegations against Kavanaugh were revealed in a letter to Senator Feinstein in July and seemingly held on to like a proverbial trump card, until it was leaked after hearings.

In no way am I writing to this to attack Dr. Ford and her allegations, if someone's character is unfit to hold the position of of Justice of the Supreme Court then they should not serve. I look at issues like this with an eye of skepticism, the political climate and the timeline of events that have transpired, and the fact that there has already been an FBI investigation into the candidates back ground, lends a hand to that skepticism. Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford may be unwilling pawns in a political game by two political parties to "one up" each other. The fact that a senate hearing spent timing examining jokes in a high school yearbook is only part of absurdity.

Regardless of what the FBI investigation finds, this event will remain a blackspot on the history of American politics, and an examination of the stupidity of partisan politics. Politicians make themselves look as if they are pillars of our society, do gooders who who are the moral compass of our society; Judge Kavanaugh could possibly be counted among these people due to his time served in the political arena. However when we put people on pedestals we overlook the flaws, the ugly side. Ultimately, the issue with Kavanaugh is not whether we believe women, but whether we're going damn someone without considering their side. It's hard not to look at social media with disgust at how our society treats someone, how we are so willing destroy someone so totally and so brutally, it is as if the age of reason never happened and that we are going to back to the age of public stoning.

I want to end this with the description of an image I saw on Facebook; we treat politics as a game and seem to care little how it effects others as long as it fits with our own personal beliefs. The image was a drawing of a WWI soldier with his hands clasped over his face and the caption read "There is no Politics in the Mud".

A Reintroduction for 2019

I know last year my posting was spotty, on and off, and for the last few months, nothing at all. Now I can't promise that this year will be an upswing in posts, but I will do my best to stay on top of it. Last year was rough at times, issues with a YouTube channel I was working on, changes at work, and some computer issues (such as my old ThinkPad cooking it's own power board). Also I was doing quite a bit of writing on a science fiction series I've been working on for quite some time, hopefully I'll be able to release a bit of it in the coming months (if I can get what I was going to post off the aforementioned ThinkPad).

This year I hope bring you more of the same content I've posted for the last years I've run this blog, reviews, politics, history, and other social topics. As I've said in the past, everything I post here is my opinion, so take that with a grain of salt; I post sources to where I get my information and attempt explain my opinions the most eloquent manner possible. I know that doesn't get as many views as the more controversial blogs and opinion pieces, but I have standards I adhere to.

On the Facebook page and Blog, feel free to comment, however please keep it civil and in good taste. Discussion is good, but name calling and insults get us no where and I will not tolerate it; all post that violate this will be deleted, and possibly reported depending upon the vulgarity, bots and trolls will have their posts deleted outright. I have always felt that polite civil discourse help can solve many problems, so lets change the culture of the internet from the vulgar place it has become.

Also, thank you to those who read my blog, seeing people view what I have to hare gives me the motivation to continue this.

Thank you, and have Happy 2019!

Quick Thought : Enemy of the People

President Donald Trump has called the media, specifically the news, as the enemy of the people. Indeed, they are President Trump's most vicious opponent, with sometime malicious contempt and criticism, even from conservative havens like Fox news. The question here is whether or not Trump is correct in his assessment  of the news media; as a amateur historian, the question is far more complex whether they are the enemy or pillar of liberty.

The prominent American newspaper man back at the turn of the century, William Randolph Hearst, is quoted as saying "You furnish the pictures and I’ll furnish the war." After the sinking of the battleship USS Maine in Havana (which turned out to be a engine explosion, not a mine), the United States declared war against Spain and took most of it's territory in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

In the AMC historical drama "Turn", the character of James Rivington, a newspaper man in New York, used intelligence reports articles in his paper before the events happened. We later learn the tragic past of the usually jovial Rivington, his paper was attacked at the onset of the war by rebels after publishing articles to give a case for both sides. Unfortunately this still happens  today as media outlets are forced to pick a side rather than simply report and provide a forum for different opinions.

At the end of the day, however, what is the main agenda of news and media outlets, beyond their political ones; money. There is more money in over dramatizing the news and pundit tugging on people's emotions than simply sitting down and reporting. If anything, Trump is own enemy in this case, not the media, his tweets and demeanor provide enough ammunition that it's equivalent to a gold mine.

So is the media the enemy? Senator Lindsey Graham said best (and the only time I will agree with him), it's not the enemy, "they are a pain in the ass."

Sources:

http://www.iancfriedman.com/?p=29

Quick Thought: From Russia with... ?

Yesterdays President Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a conference seemingly more controversial than the summit with Kim Jong-Un earlier this summer. Because of Russia's interference in the 2016 election, Russia is viewed by many Americans as our primary enemy, their annexation of Crimea and support of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad hasn't helped quell this idea. Indeed, Russia is probably the most aggressive rouge state out there and Putin isn't afraid throwing his weight around, which includes one of the world's largest nuclear arsenals.

Theodore Roosevelt gave us one of the best quotes on international diplomacy, "Speak Softly and carry a big stick." Trump's handling of this summit leaves much to be desired. His statement saying that Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election is possibly just as bad as invading Russia in winter. While trying to ease tense relations in order to create more global cooperation is a good, this only exonerates a leader who helped exacerbate global tensions.

While the world should take a strong stance against Russia and it's actions, they are not an ally of the United States, but that doesn't mean we can't talk. Though this isn't exactly a Neville Chamberlin appeasement situation, which had the mindset of avoiding the horrors of the First World War (though scenes of that war should still be in our minds). Roosevelt's words ring out loudly, we should tell Russia we want to work with them, but don't screw us.

Quick Thought: Life is What we Make of it

I've been asked recently what the direction of my life is, and I answered that I generally have no real direction. While my writing would fit the bill, that is more of a long term goal as the process takes a lot of time. My life currently consists of a five day work week at the family print shop then a two day weekend, standard for most people. Since the end of college my life hasn't changed beyond this daily repetition, and for many people that level of consistency is welcomed. But as I keep getting "reminded" I'm not making any progress, so lets examine this.

Like many people my age I live it at home, with high housing prices and a plethora bills it's more financially sound. We all want to move out and feel that rush of independence, but without a firm foot to stand on that feeling might have a bad taste to it. However, does this really give meaning to one's life, does it provide direction? I would say, yes... and no.

I know that this all might seem a bit confusing, however that mirrors life itself, decisions are based up what you think are right for yourself. Life is all what you make of it, if living independently is a defining part of your life then go for it. While it is important to me, it doesn't define me, my writing is what believe will define me.

Another part of this examination is that other people should not define what gives your life meaning. Many people believe that their ideas are the correct ones everyone should follow. I am not say these ideas should be discounted, but that only you can form your perspective.   However, the issue arises when advise forced in a biting sort of way, when you are looked down upon for meeting the standards people set for others.

In summary, my confusing ramble here about taking charge of you own life. Do not let anyone take that away from you. This can be applied to any decision you make, "moving" happened to the topic of discussion over the weekend. Again, life is what you make of it, and only you can make it.

Quick Thought: Reaction

Our emotions are the fickle aspect of out short human existence. They override rational judgement and throw our minds into chaos, for good or ill. They make us feel love, hate, happiness, sorrow, satisfaction, and anger. Controlling those feelings is often one of the greatest tests in endurance that one can face.

How we react to a situation is a major test in character, especially in one with negative connotations. Those emotions throw is into more chaos and dig deeper into our emotional well being; as well as how others react to you. In the heat of the moment, there is almost no good way to burn them out, and they linger for the longest time.

However, there are times where they do need to be confronted with the offending party. It's not always a pleasant experience, and may not you the way you want, but it's better then letting it build you like an over inflated ballon.

I would say though that this often a two-fold circumstance. Whether or not you believe your words are offensive and that other person is over reacting, if behooves you to understand their side of it. Your reaction is just as important as theirs; and because this has often been over looked, we can find the seeds of much of human conflict.

I write, not just as a means off getting this discussion off my chest, but as an idea people should look closer at. Our reactions, without thought, have been the source of many of problems (though not all). And don't damn yourself for having a poor response to a situation, life is about learning, and not learning from our mistakes is the greatest failure of them all.

A Quick Thought: YouTube, The Discussion is Over

YouTube, once the haven for creative minds, an open space where one could create and share, has finally begun closing the last doors on that dream. Just this week, YouTube has rolled out new regulations restricting "gun" content on the site. Instead opening the door to discussion, they have closed it and has made it quite clear that there will be no debate.

To make it clear, gun channels aren't the only ones effected by YouTube's new regulations. These include both Liberal and Conservative channels that YouTube likely deems too controversial. It is clear that they are trying to push a new image, an image to attract advertisers. This isn't some giant conspiracy by the left or the right, it's about setting an image, and that image is one that is safe and makes them money.

Guns are their newest target line stretching back to their fist efforts to wipe out copyright infringement. The later was a noble goal, copyright is important to respect, but their efforts (and lack of oversight) often negatively effected reviewers who were covered by Fair Use (more on that at a later date). As for guns, the vast majority of these channels (which vary greatly in format) are enthusiasts, many provide education both in safety and history, not encouraging gun violence.

While the recent shooting in Florida is definitely the catalyst for this new assault on gun channels, again it is part of YouTube's rebranding. This effort is likely to be their downfall, when your try to build interest in your product, the last thing you should do is alienate your audience. Instead of working with these people, they've been branded, in essence, villains are and slowly being pushed off the boat.

One part of this new regulation prohibits links to sites that sell firearms. Many gun shops are small businesses, not large corporations like Google. Many don't just sell guns, but also provide education in gun safety, hunter courses, self-defense courses, and some even have indoor ranges. They also support sporting leagues and shooting competitions. I would encourage anyone to go to a gun store and inquire about the services they provide and you would be surprised about what actually goes on there.

However, YouTube will continue to alienate it's user base and kill the soul that once made it great. Other sites will rise up and fill the gap. They've made it quite clear, through their algorithms and inability to converse with the people who made them great in the first place, the discussion is over.

YouTube's new Policies:

https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/7667605?hl=en