DIVIDE AND CONQUER

"Divide and Conquer.  (Unknown)

"A House Divided Against Itself Can Not Stand." (Lincoln)

“All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall.” (Dumas)

“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”(Churchill)

OK we've been warned.  So what can we do about it?  It seems like we are growing more divided each day and the divisions are deep.  Now with the advent of this "age of communication technology" we have so many movements  and anti-movements going on, it is making it nearly impossible to find any common ground.  It seems like we have two distinct camps in America today and each is hunkered down with a victory or death mentality.  
What I see is an attitude of my way or no way and I wish evil on those who oppose me.  
It really can make one pessimistic regarding the direction and future of the country.  Are we getting to the point where every option to compromise is gone, save Revolution? 

1934 CARTOON: LOOKS LIKE WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE?

In Case You Thought This Was Something New

Here is a cartoon that appeared in the Chicago (What a coincidence) Tribune in the 1930's.
It's a pretty amazing parallel to what is going on today. 
Looks like we've survived this sort of stuff before.  Wonder if we can do it again?

DO YOU THINK THIS MIGHT WORK?

I broke a tooth the other day.  No big deal.  I went to the dentist the next day and they did a remarkable job in constructing a temporary to hold me over until I get a new crown made.  So I got to thinking that it might be a good idea to put that tooth under my pillow and ask the tooth fairy to grant me one of the following wishes instead of giving me money.  What do you suppose my chances are? Maybe I can request two?  But, which two?   Ummmmm...

1.  Obama Out
2.  Term Limits In
3.  Constitution Re-established
4.  Hollywood into the Pacific
5.  Gas Prices cut in half
6.  U.S. Withdraws from U.N.
7.  A Great Singing Voice
8.  More Hair
9.  A Day With My Late Grandparents
10. A Time Machine
11. World Peace
12. Obama Out

GOVERNMENT WASTE EXPOSED: TSA EDITION

I have to give kudos to this guy for exposing the billions wasted by the bureaucrats in the TSA .
Sometimes I wonder if it's a good idea or not to make this stuff so public but, then I realize that in this day and age, it's pretty  hard to keep anything under wraps.  It's probably good that weaknesses like this are exposed , IF something will be done to correct the problem.  In this case I don't look for those in charge to pay much attention, since doing so would expose them even more to the deserved criticism they already receive.  
We are now being told more and more, that every invasive technique used to monitor us or invade our privacy is for our own good.  When do we draw the line?  When is enough enough?  I can't even imagine where this is headed but, I have a bad feeling that ten years from now, we will be saying,  "these were the good old days when all they did was body scan you."
I came to the conclusion long ago that common sense is dead in this country,  or if not totally dead, on it's last legs.  Truthfully, I don't think we are capable of going back, so I've prepared myself to live with the constant stupidity of things as they are.  Not a great outlook I know and I truly hope I'm wrong. 

DOES EDUCATION EXIST OR IS IT ALL SMOKE AND MIRRORS?

Does this mean anything?

As our nation continues its decline into chaos, there are so many failing aspects of our society to point out, that it has become nearly impossible to keep up.  Much has been written about the demise of the family, which may be the basis for all other catastrophic "fails" we are experiencing in America today.  Then , of course, there is the failure of marriage, the slow collapse of religious institutions, the tanking economy, our decreasing standard of living,  the increasing hold that drugs have on so many people and of course the dumbing down of our educational institutions, among others.
Education had long been the one area of our society that offered hope to those trying to stem the tide of collapse in all the other areas listed above.   Education was the one great hope of improving one's life.  A place where ideas could be freely exchanged and improvements made. Where learning and creativity were nurtured and developed.   The great equalizer if you will.
Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.  Our educational system has been broken for a number of years now.  Instead of teaching independence and self reliance, history and national pride,  students are taught to be a cog in the community wheel, to be dependent and thankful for all that government "gives" them and to be a part of the "new world order."  One thing is for sure many public schools are failing. (Be sure to view the 11 min. video)  They are failing the parents, they are failing the taxpayers, they are failing the country and, worst of all, they are failing the students.   If that isn't enough, schools with their main focus on passing standardized tests and on their student's always having the right answer, are killing creativity.   Shouldn't that be the very thing they are trying to foster? 
Too many liberal driven public schools are in the tank.  They are robot farms,  building automatons, the mindless drones to carry on the work of the collective, for the good of the few.  
What is the answer?  Eliminate all public schools?  Fully fund private schools or charter schools?  Home schooling?  Truthfully, all can work or none can work.  The trick is to have involved parents who care that their kids are learning. It's not so much the vehicle it's delivered by, but rather, having a good driver.  Focus on that and the rest will take care of itself.                                                                                                                            

CELEBRATING FEBRUARY 29TH

Wow, it's finally here.  A day that only happens once every four years!  Am I talking about Inauguration Day?  Nope, it's Leap Year Day.  It really seems this day is not celebrated enough.  There are a lot of really good things about this day.  One is that if you are black, you get to celebrate Black History Month for an extra 24 hours.  That right there should make 20% of Americans happy.  
If you like nudity, you might enjoy knowing that in 1960, Hugh Hefner opened the first Playboy Club in Chicago, or if you are a TV buff, you probably know that the final episode of M.A.S. H. aired on this date in 1983.  WOW, has it been that long?
Regardless, it's a good extra day we've been given this year to spend wisely.  Hug your wife and kids, pet the dog, pause to reflect on your life, pray for our troops and their families, or go out and register to vote.    The important thing is to make good use of this extra 24 hours because once it's gone, it's gone.  Happy Leap Year Day!

GROWING LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN AMERICA?

Resurrecting Civil Defense

As I tool around the web, I am finding more examples of serious concern about the future of the country and the ability of the federal government to handle an impending crisis.  This one showed up today and, in my opinion makes the case that if nothing else, there is a great deal of concern, by some government officials about the country's future.  I'm not clear on why landlocked Wyoming wants an aircraft carrier but, the thought that they think they need one, is a bit worrisome. 
Based on all the dangerous things happening in the world today and the potential threats to the stability of the nation, as well as the fact that we don't have decisive leadership in the White House, it might not be a bad idea to clean out those old Cold War Civil Defense Shelters.   
There are plenty of other reminders out there, including some we may have forgotten.  or others we remember more clearly.  Perhaps we are headed "back to the future," so to speak but, I must admit, as I get older, the thought of global annihilation, perhaps in the form of thermonuclear war, meteorite collision, sunspot eruption, or by the idiocy of continued political stupidity (my vote for most likely), is in an odd way, somewhat appealing.  
The thought of zapping off to eternity with all my friends and family together, as well as the pleasure of knowing that all those I consider evil, stupid, etc., vaporizing as well, gives me some form of bizarre solace.  Call me crazy but, even though I would be gone, it's nice to know that nincompoops like these will be gone too.