fragments, history, and time ...
what threat do libraries represent ...
what truth, in good conscience, can be spoken without regret ...
when does the responsibility of civil disobedience violate patriotism ...
what would john adams and jefferson say ...
what power is everlasting ...
if politics is part of philosophical theory, how can its’ precepts be spoken as truth (vs. consensus) ...
what is the elemental difference between divisive and democratic ...
what is an absolute ...
as i see it, most of us [inhabitants of ‘civilized’ modernity], are nothing more than spoiled, self righteous, entitled dilettantes parasitically attached to the superficial trappings of popular culture with most of our problems stemming from the fact that we have grown callously incapable of ‘feeling’ the humanity that has been bred into us for generations. the seemingly inconsequential convenience of our ‘throw away’, use and abuse society is an illusionists’ invention of modern culture fueled by greed and money - the result of economics gone wild ...
ahh, that feels better ... the result of a lifetime of commitment and about two hours in front of the tv surfing between law & order, csi, planet in peril(cnn), the animal channels doc on animal abuse, commercials for wrestle mania, hulk hogan knows best, brittany spears’ updates, food guzzling competitions, infomercials about trump’s iconic wisdom, and the conservative christian right diatribing liberal tolerance, ... [excluding 4th meal food ads and car commercials showing all the things cars can come equipped with to relieve us from boredom while driving].
we have an obligation to question our own motives - our teachers and leaders; and as part of the checks and balances, the duty to question and object to what easily becomes institutionally driven tunnel vision. it is natural for people to seek comfort levels, but not at the expense of the ‘ideals and ideas’ that institutions are established to uphold.
upon reflection, my self hatred and anger are noticeably present in my daily goings on ...
could have, should have, would have, if ...
what about ‘if’ ... what about kipling’s “if” ...
[IF]
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
edification ramification ...
