Russia and Georgia (the country not the state) are "Nearing All-Out War." Now, I do not claim to be an expert in relationships between countries from the former Soviet Union and I do not understand what has caused this chaos. (BBC)
But, what has me curious, is the United States response. I'm not necessarily talking about the government, publicly they have condemned it and are sending help along with many from Europe. But, the public in general. Twenty years ago this story would have had the majority of Americans glued to their television sets. Now? Seriously Rabbit the Olympics just started.
Now, if this escalates, we will definitely become more involved. But, since Russia is no longer our major enemy, we seem to not really care. My only guess is because of capitalism. The Cold War was a battle between "American Capitalism" and "Soviet Communism" (Note the quotation marks). Think about this, the Russians invaded Afghanistan led us to boycott the Olympics. Now, we could care less what the Russians are up to likely, because the Olympics are on.
This leads me to my main point. Any action taken by a country, is based mainly in their own self interest. It was believed that it was in our self interest to stop the spread of communism, so that's what we tried to do during the Cold War. We are in Iraq because we believe a stable and democratic Middle East is in our best interest (or WMDs, 9/11, Muslims, oil, whatever makes you feel safe).
At the moment, people are not as concerned with estimated deaths in the thousands. The world only stops turning when Americans die, right Alan Jackson? Anytime two countries begin to attack one another the problem is huge and will only grow if other countries are brought in.
I understand that American casualties are more compelling to Americans, that does make sense. But, why put as much focus on one American dying at the Olympics when thousands are dead in other parts of the world? I faced the same problem during the Virginia Tech massacre. How many people were killed in Iraq on the same day? I do not know and you don't either. But, those lives were just as important.
Bottom line? Every life is important, regardless of how compelling the story and what economic system their country chooses.
Rabbit
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
John Edwards is a whore?
Former North Carolina Senator John Edwards has admitted to having an affair. The former Vice Presidential and Presidential Candidate is next in a long line of politicians to lose a political career over sex. (CNN)
Bill Clinton, Elliot Spitzer, David Vitter, and Newt Gingrich among others have all taken political shots for their sex lives. Many say that this is private and should remain so. Others people it reflects poor character that our leaders should not have.
To me, it just shows how much power can corrupt a person. Powerful people get feelings of invincibility. It may not be on purpose, but that seems to be what happens. Most stories involving a powerful person getting into trouble can be traced to being corrupted by power.
That obviously does not make what they do right. But, it is just one way to measure a person. Personally, I am more concerned with poverty programs that have been discontinued by Edwards. Cheating on your wife affects your family. Ending poverty programs affect thousands.
Also, it makes perfect sense for conservatives in the media to slam Edwards. Liberals like poking fun at Larry Craig. But, do not claim that others in the media gave Edwards a pass on this. It is perfectly acceptable for major news outlets to avoid a story broken by the National Enquirer.
Bottom Line? John Edwards is an asshole for cheating on his wife and for allowing many of his programs to fight poverty to end. He should be ripped for both and given a chance to make it all right.
Rabbit
Bill Clinton, Elliot Spitzer, David Vitter, and Newt Gingrich among others have all taken political shots for their sex lives. Many say that this is private and should remain so. Others people it reflects poor character that our leaders should not have.
To me, it just shows how much power can corrupt a person. Powerful people get feelings of invincibility. It may not be on purpose, but that seems to be what happens. Most stories involving a powerful person getting into trouble can be traced to being corrupted by power.
That obviously does not make what they do right. But, it is just one way to measure a person. Personally, I am more concerned with poverty programs that have been discontinued by Edwards. Cheating on your wife affects your family. Ending poverty programs affect thousands.
Also, it makes perfect sense for conservatives in the media to slam Edwards. Liberals like poking fun at Larry Craig. But, do not claim that others in the media gave Edwards a pass on this. It is perfectly acceptable for major news outlets to avoid a story broken by the National Enquirer.
Bottom Line? John Edwards is an asshole for cheating on his wife and for allowing many of his programs to fight poverty to end. He should be ripped for both and given a chance to make it all right.
Rabbit
Groupthink and Change
Have you ever been completely turned off by a protest or demonstration?
Probably.
Maybe you did not understand why a group that was so passionate about a particular subject could literally hurt their cause with their own attempt at helping it. The reason this occurs is actually fairly simple. Its the phenomenon of groupthink.
Groupthink is basically what its name suggests. It occurs when the members of a group avoid ideas outside of the perceived consensus of the group. Groupthink often occurs in groups of generally like minded people, groups with powerful leaders, and isolation from outside influences.
"Possible" and "Probable" Examples?
How hot-button is the issue of abortion? This is an issue that often is taken up by groups with extreme sides. Anybody who has seen a picture of a dead fetus knows the demonstration technique of many pro-life groups. Personally, I have a very moderate view of abortion, as do most Americans. In most situations, it is easiest to sway a "moderate" view to one particular extreme than, to sway one extreme view to the complete other side. The moderate view simply has a shorter way to go. So, there are likely several methods to sway most people to either a pro-life or a pro-choice opinion. But, many pro-life groups are isolated and believe they are absolutely right and any other opinion is not valid and thus not accepted.
War? Anti-war protesters make me want to bomb every country in the world, just to see who gets the most mad. That being said, I am vehemently opposed to war. Anti-war protesters successfully those who moderately oppose but, those who completely agree with their cause.
Evangelical Christians may be the worst groupthinkers. Thriving churches are such based on their charismatic leaders, they preach that the outside world has it wrong, and they encourage becoming close with other Christians.
The liberal movement promotes open minds and a variety of ideas. But, liberal people are often as bad as conservatives and dismissing those who do not carry the same values. Often, they are worse. I have seen very conservative evangelical Christians open their house to a Hindu Indian. I have seen racist southern men work side by side with black people. I know that often things of this nature occur through gritted teeth and rolled eyes but, at least they happen. Liberals in Berkley, CA kicked out the US Marines, liberals participate in modern day "white-flight" by moving to areas where other like minded people reside, liberals fail to recognize that while they are right to want a diversity of opinion they forget that conservatives have been just as valuable to the world as they have.
Now, I do not have specific studies to back up my claims this time. But, I know what I see. If you feel the need to protest, then protest. But, how can you expect to change somebody else's opinion, if you have no relationship with that person? The march on Washington led by Martin Luther King Jr. had a profound impact on our country. But, without people of different races actually communicating on a personal level, it would have been pointless.
If you truly believe that abortion or war should never occur, that every soul on the planet should be a Christian soul, that your opinion is absolutely right, then you will take the time to get to know the people you wish to persuade. Once you understand a differing view, you will be more able to discuss how to further your cause. You should never be afraid to bring up alternatives.
Bottom Line? Seriously? Just get some guts and use your head.
Rabbit
Probably.
Maybe you did not understand why a group that was so passionate about a particular subject could literally hurt their cause with their own attempt at helping it. The reason this occurs is actually fairly simple. Its the phenomenon of groupthink.
Groupthink is basically what its name suggests. It occurs when the members of a group avoid ideas outside of the perceived consensus of the group. Groupthink often occurs in groups of generally like minded people, groups with powerful leaders, and isolation from outside influences.
"Possible" and "Probable" Examples?
How hot-button is the issue of abortion? This is an issue that often is taken up by groups with extreme sides. Anybody who has seen a picture of a dead fetus knows the demonstration technique of many pro-life groups. Personally, I have a very moderate view of abortion, as do most Americans. In most situations, it is easiest to sway a "moderate" view to one particular extreme than, to sway one extreme view to the complete other side. The moderate view simply has a shorter way to go. So, there are likely several methods to sway most people to either a pro-life or a pro-choice opinion. But, many pro-life groups are isolated and believe they are absolutely right and any other opinion is not valid and thus not accepted.
War? Anti-war protesters make me want to bomb every country in the world, just to see who gets the most mad. That being said, I am vehemently opposed to war. Anti-war protesters successfully those who moderately oppose but, those who completely agree with their cause.
Evangelical Christians may be the worst groupthinkers. Thriving churches are such based on their charismatic leaders, they preach that the outside world has it wrong, and they encourage becoming close with other Christians.
The liberal movement promotes open minds and a variety of ideas. But, liberal people are often as bad as conservatives and dismissing those who do not carry the same values. Often, they are worse. I have seen very conservative evangelical Christians open their house to a Hindu Indian. I have seen racist southern men work side by side with black people. I know that often things of this nature occur through gritted teeth and rolled eyes but, at least they happen. Liberals in Berkley, CA kicked out the US Marines, liberals participate in modern day "white-flight" by moving to areas where other like minded people reside, liberals fail to recognize that while they are right to want a diversity of opinion they forget that conservatives have been just as valuable to the world as they have.
Now, I do not have specific studies to back up my claims this time. But, I know what I see. If you feel the need to protest, then protest. But, how can you expect to change somebody else's opinion, if you have no relationship with that person? The march on Washington led by Martin Luther King Jr. had a profound impact on our country. But, without people of different races actually communicating on a personal level, it would have been pointless.
If you truly believe that abortion or war should never occur, that every soul on the planet should be a Christian soul, that your opinion is absolutely right, then you will take the time to get to know the people you wish to persuade. Once you understand a differing view, you will be more able to discuss how to further your cause. You should never be afraid to bring up alternatives.
Bottom Line? Seriously? Just get some guts and use your head.
Rabbit
Tire Gauge Gate?
There is no question, to reduce our dependency on oil, it will take a lot. One thing will never fix something this huge. So, when Barack Obama said that we should make sure our tires are inflated and our cars properly tuned up, he was right. Nobody thinks that will fix everything and it is debatable that doing those two things will offset offshore oil drilling. But, it is one thing that will help.
Republicans have jumped on this. Selling $1 tire gauges for $25 to help fund the cash strapped McCain campaign is clever. I wonder how many flipflops they sold in 2004? Also, they must be getting these gauges from a defense contractor, why else would they sell something for 25 times what it is worth?
Now we know Barack Obama has probably never used a tire gauge and somebody probably told him to say this but, why mock the idea? Ask any mechanic, it can help. It will not FIX but, it will help. So will cutting down on travel, easier acceleration, carpoolings, buying more efficient cars, and much much more.
But, here is the hypocrisy, Obama spends little time talking about tire gauges. Republicans have talked about tire gauges a lot more. Republicans have also spent a ton of time on offshore drilling. Many of them are protesting in Congress right now. Congress is not in session. They should be talking to their constituents but, they are fighting for drilling. They are funded by oil companies.
Bottom Line? Neither party will get it exactly right if they keep on mocking one another as opposed to acknowledging what is helpful and what is not.
Rabbit
Republicans have jumped on this. Selling $1 tire gauges for $25 to help fund the cash strapped McCain campaign is clever. I wonder how many flipflops they sold in 2004? Also, they must be getting these gauges from a defense contractor, why else would they sell something for 25 times what it is worth?
Now we know Barack Obama has probably never used a tire gauge and somebody probably told him to say this but, why mock the idea? Ask any mechanic, it can help. It will not FIX but, it will help. So will cutting down on travel, easier acceleration, carpoolings, buying more efficient cars, and much much more.
But, here is the hypocrisy, Obama spends little time talking about tire gauges. Republicans have talked about tire gauges a lot more. Republicans have also spent a ton of time on offshore drilling. Many of them are protesting in Congress right now. Congress is not in session. They should be talking to their constituents but, they are fighting for drilling. They are funded by oil companies.
Bottom Line? Neither party will get it exactly right if they keep on mocking one another as opposed to acknowledging what is helpful and what is not.
Rabbit
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